“I’m sorry, but we’re out of those at the moment.”
“Seriously?” I deflated, sighing in frustration.
“We had a few large orders come in this morning, so we’re a little low on some of the more popular items. We should have more ready in half an hour or so.”
Well, shit, I cursed inwardly as I scanned the handwritten menu, searching for an alternative Hallie would like. To say my four-year-old was a picky eater would be an understatement.
“I… I don’t have time to wait.”
“We do have some of the Raspberry PaJAMa muffins left,” the boy offered apologetically.
“Do they taste anything like the strawberry lemon ones?”
“Not really,” he replied, looking uncomfortable.
I sighed again, knowing the poor kid probably thought I was crazy. Who in their right mind would be this disappointed and inconvenienced by an unexpected muffin shortage? There was really nothing to be done but try to stop back by on my way home from work or maybe on my lunch hour.
“Is there some kind of muffin emergency?”
The question didn’t come from the boy but rather from a much deeper voice to my left, and I turned to find the handsome man grinning at me. Once again, his smile was so perfect I couldn’t help but return it. He was taking a large carton of baked goods from the redheaded cashier, but he’d still barely glanced in her direction.
“I know you’re kidding, but… yes. Sort of,” I chuckled nervously. To my surprise, he immediately turned to address the cashiers.
“Can I get an empty bag and a napkin please?”
The redhead handed the items to him, and he stepped a little further out of the way of the other customers, gesturing me to follow. My brow furrowed as he reached into the large box and pulled out a strawberry lemon muffin, transferring it to the small paper bag.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I can stop on my way home or something.”
“I insist. I’m sure my assistant ordered more than enough anyway. We always seem to have leftovers.”
“Well…” I hesitated, glancing at the open bag and back at his flawless face. “At least let me pay you for it--”
“Not a chance,” he refused promptly, still smiling. “I’m a sucker for a damsel in distress. Besides, someone saved me from a donut emergency just last week, and I’m a pay-it-forward kind of guy.”
I could feel my face getting warmer as I laughed at his words. Jesus, what’s wrong with me? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d blushed, but this sexy stranger had made it happen twice in the past five minutes. Not only was he ridiculously good-looking, but he was apparently a bit of a flirt. And he was hitting on me. His dark eyes lingered perceptibly on my body, and his Adam’s apple bounced a little as he swallowed.
He was checking me out. And liking what he saw.
A girlish sort of happiness fluttered in my stomach, and my cheeks began to ache from smiling. It had been years since the last time I’d felt like this. Years since I’d caught anyone looking at me that way and felt even a hint of attraction in return. And damn if I didn’t like it. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be a woman and not just a perpetually exhausted single mom.
“Thank you. You definitely saved me.”
“From an absurdly picky boss, no doubt.”
“Something like that,” I chuckled.
I caught a glimpse of something small and white folded into the brown napkin as he tucked it into the bag, but there wasn’t time to wonder about it. He handed me the bag with another panty-melting smile, and our fingers brushed lightly, sending another wave of warmth to both my cheeks and my center.
“I’d better be on my way,” he admitted, and I was sure I had to be imagining the regret I saw in his features. “I’ll soon have a conference room of hungry colleagues expecting their free breakfast.”
“So, you feed everyone, then? Not just strange women having a breakfast crisis?” I teased as we walked together to the exit. He held the door open and followed me out into the crisp, January sunshine.
“No, but I couldn’t call myself a gentleman if I didn’t step up to help a lady in need.” His smile was polite but a little more restrained now, foreshadowing the distance that would separate us all too soon.
“Well, thank you again. I really do appreciate it.”
“You’re very welcome. Have a great day.”
“You too.”
I gave him a shy little parting wave as we headed in opposite directions down the busy sidewalk. The giddy sensation I’d felt in his presence slowly dissipated, and by the time I reached my car, I was shaking my head at my own behavior. A hot guy had shown me a small kindness, and I’d turned into a starry-eyed teenager. Good grief. I sat in the driver’s seat, allowing the interior to warm up a little, and after a moment, I remembered my earlier curiosity about the napkin he’d put in the small paper bag.
When I peeked inside, my lips curled upward again, and I reached in to retrieve the white business card. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or wary that he’d been able to sneak it in so skillfully, but my smile vanished as I read the silver-embossed text.
Hayden Forrester
Forrester Hotels, Inc.
Holy shit.
* * *
Lucky Stars
Coming to Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
Fall 2019!
About the Author
Christi Whitson lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area with her partner and children. She majored in Creative Writing at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is a proud mother of two wonderful daughters, both of whom are headed into their teenage years and are determined to keep their mom on her toes. Christi believes the written word can change lives, and she’s always dreaming of the next great story yet to be told.
Other Books by Christi Whitson
The Fates Aligned Series
Chance Encounter
Fortune’s Angel
Lucky Stars (Fall 2019)
The Constant Flame Duet
Ember
Constant
Fortune's Angel (Fates Aligned Book 2) Page 24
