by Lila Monroe
He passes me his credit card, and doesn’t even flinch when I ring up the total. At least somebody’s not a cheapskate today.
I sneak a look at the name. Seth. I take my time entering the sale, giving this Seth guy pleeeennnnnty of opportunity to ask me out.
He doesn’t.
Instead, he takes his card back, thanks me, and takes the bouquet and himself out of my store without a backwards glance.
Which is probably a good thing, because if he did look back, he would totally catch me checking out his ass.
Which is excellent, for the record.
Remy reappears. “So, where’s he taking you?” he asks expectantly.
“Nowhere.” I sigh.
Remy looks confused. “But you were flirting like Nick and Nora back there.”
I look at him blankly.
“From ‘The Thin Man’?” he tries. “Jesus, try watching something made before Julia Roberts was born, why don’t you?”
“Easy there, movie buff. And he was just being polite. No biggie.” I pause. “I actually have a date tonight.”
Remy studies me. “You sounded more enthusiastic when you went to get your teeth cleaned the other week.”
“It’s one of those online dates,” I say, trying to seem more upbeat. “Poppy and Natalie forced me, now I’m their third wheel. But maybe it won’t be so bad. Who knows, maybe he’s my Perfect Match hookup! Wouldn’t that be funny? Serendipity! We’ll laugh and have a great story to tell our grandkids!”
Remy gives me a look like I’m nuts. “What are you talking about? Dating is warfare. Expect the worst, and you’ll never be disappointed.”
“That, my friend, is why you’re still single,” I say, teasing.
“It’s also why I’ll be the last to die in a zombie apocalypse,” he mutters darkly. “You won’t be laughing then now, will you?”
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I finish up at the shop, and freshen up before heading out to my date. We had a couple more customers through before the end of the day, including a guy on his fortieth wedding anniversary, and another about to propose to his boyfriend.
“We met on that app, Perfect Match,” he tells me, beaming. “Who knew we’d wind up here?”
Take that, Remy! I think, throwing in some extra-gorgeous irises for them. See: true love is out there, you just have to have faith.
Which, to be honest, has been getting harder for me these days. I’m twenty-seven now, which means I have my fair share of heartbreaks stacked up behind me, not to mention a few dozen (or is that hundred?) bad first dates. But I still believe, the perfect person is out there for everyone, no matter how long it takes to find them.
I mean, just look at my mom. After dad moved out and divorced her for Kristi, his personal trainer at the gym (originality was never his strong suit: he was a gas station roses guy, through and through), she thought she’d never find love again. But I convinced her to get back out there, and soon enough she met Mike, the Lawn King of Springfield, New Jersey. Their eyes met over a can of fertilizer in the Home Depot, and boom! Instant chemistry.
They’ve been together ten years now, and are still madly in love. Plus, he knows that tulips are her favorite, and redid the turf in the back yard, so they entertain there all year long. They’re so happy together, they give me hope that my special guy is out there too, somewhere. After all, there are over 4 million men in New York City. Even discounting the ones who are old, gay, Knicks fans, or think that John Mayer is some kind of romantic role model, there has to be at least one who’s perfect for me, right?
So why not my blind date tonight?
I reach the restaurant, and pause, checking my reflection in the window. It’s a cute, bustling dim sum spot, with soft lighting and an all-you-can-eat buffet. Romantic and thrifty! And I know I was only kidding before, saying that this Heartthrob Seth might be my date tonight, but as I enter, I can’t help scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
I find one.
But it’s not the one I was expecting. Because inside, sitting by the bar, is Mr. Carnation himself – holding the offending bouquet in one hand, while he scrolls distractedly on his phone.
You have got to be kidding me!
My first instinct is to bolt. But he looks up too soon, and sees me. He looks at his phone, and then back at me. Recognition.
Damn it.
I paste on a smile, give a reluctant wave, and walk over. “Hi,” I greet him, hoping we just got off on the wrong foot before at the shop. A bad first impression doesn’t necessarily mean we’re doomed. Maybe he was distracted, or nervous, or stressed from work. Maybe he’s really a lovely, generous sweetheart once you get to know him.
But he gets up, and looks me up and down. “It’s you? Huh,” he says, awkwardly thrusting the flowers at my chest. “Wait a minute, since I’m giving them back to you, does this mean I get a refund?”
Make that a bad second impression.
I guess my soul-mate will just have to wait another night.
TO BE CONTINUED…
What happens next? April and Seth’s sizzling rom-com is just getting started! THE ROMEO EFFECT is available now!
** CLICK HERE to order from your retailer of choice**
Is it fate…. Or just the Romeo effect? Discover the hot and hilarious new stand-alone romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author, Lila Monroe!
Seth Harding is the King of Meet-Cutes. If you get trapped in an elevator with a handsome stranger, or stranded on a moonlit cruise with the man of your dreams, chances are, it’s not fate bringing the two of you together, it’s Seth somewhere, pulling the strings.
At least, that’s what I find out, when someone hires Seth to help win my heart. It would be romantic… if he weren’t all wrong for me. And Mr Right…?
Well, he might just be the guy behind the scenes.
Suddenly, my faith in soulmates is hitting a major complication. Seth is cynical, and argumentative… and seriously irresistible. Soon, the sparks between us are impossible to ignore. But can this hopeful romantic really find love with a man who engineers happily-ever-afters for a living? And when all the tricks and tests are stripped away, what makes two people truly meant to be?
Find out in the latest laugh-out-loud read from “The reigning queen of romantic comedy”, Lila Monroe!
** * CLICK HERE to order from your retailer of choice****
About the Author
Combining her love of writing, sex and well-fitted suits, Lila Monroe weaves sex, humor and romance into tales about hard-headed men and the strong and sassy women who try to tame-slash-love-slash-tame them. Her books are extensions of her own fantasy life and take readers from the boardroom to the Berkshire Mountains, with keen character development, unique plot lines, and fanciful romance.
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Also by Lila:
Cupids Series:
1. Cupid for Hire
2. What’s Your Sign?
3. The Romeo Effect
4. The Break-Up Artist
5. The Romance Plan
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Billionaire Bachelors Series:
1. Very Irresistible Playboy
2. Hot Stuff
3. Wild Card
4. Man Candy
5. Mr Casanova
6. Best Man
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The Billionaire Series:
1. The Billionaire Bargain
2. The Billionaire Secret
3. The Billionaire Game
4. The Billionaire Prize
5. Billionaire with a Twist
6. Billionaire on the Rocks
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The Lucky in Love Series:
1. Get Lucky
2. Bet Me
3. Lovestruck
4. Mr Right Now
5. Perfect Match
6. Christmas with the Billionaire
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The Chick Flick Club Series:
1. How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days
2. You’ve Got Male
3. Frisky Business
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Head Over High Heels
Snowed in with the Billionaire (holiday novella)
