I just couldn’t do that to such beautiful glasses. I let go of the box and jumped away from the shelf just before it had a chance to break. I landed with a loud thump on the floor, which drew the attention of anyone who hadn’t already noticed me climbing the structure.
“Miss!” The clerk looked at me. He was obviously astonished. “Sir, are those the glasses you wanted?” he asked.
“Yes, well, I was thinking of getting them, but honestly, I think she’s earned them.” He laughed a little and tipped his head toward me. “I think she wants them a lot more than I do.”
“I do!” I looked at the clerk. I wasn’t sure if he was going to let me buy my purchases or if he was going to ban me from the store.
“We really do frown on the customers climbing the shelves. I’m sorry someone wasn’t available to assist you. Let me get those down for you.” He walked away to get a stepladder.
As soon as he was gone I looked at the man who had also wanted the glasses.
“Thanks, that’s very kind of you, sir.”
“Hey, anyone who is brave enough to climb shelving to get what she wants, deserves to have it.” He smiled and left the store.
Me? Brave? I felt quite proud of myself despite the fact that I had nearly caused a lot of destruction. Instead of letting my fear stop me, I’d gone for what I wanted. Perhaps it wasn’t the best way to go about it, but at least I’d given it a good try.
Chapter 4
I left the store with my brand new wine glasses tucked under my arm and my grocery bag draped over my wrist. I was feeling quite excited about the dinner party—and my bold behavior.
I also couldn’t wait to get back to my apartment and check my computer. I was sure that Blue would have responded by then. Even if he didn’t, I was determined not to let anything ruin the dinner party. If Blue was a no-show, so be it. I had other friends that were more than happy to join me for a delicious meal.
As I made my way down the sidewalk, I noticed that there was a construction zone not far ahead of me. In the past, I’d actually been disappointed when a construction worker didn’t catcall me. It was shameful, I know. While other women complained about being objectified, I had just a little wish that maybe one of the guys would shout something demeaning at me.
Of course, as I’d been gaining in confidence, I knew how foolish that desire was now. I wasn’t someone who needed to have their physical looks validated, and I certainly didn’t want to be degraded. I held my head high and did my best to make my way carefully around an open manhole. I held tightly to my wine glasses. After all I’d gone through to get them, I didn’t want to accidentally drop them down a hole.
“Hey, beautiful! Up here, gorgeous!”
I was a little startled—but mostly annoyed. I looked up at the construction worker who was standing on a ladder against the side of the building.
“Sweetheart, just wait until I get down there!” His voice carried over the traffic and the noise of the other pedestrians.
I was stunned that he would be so bold. “Excuse me?”
“I’m going down there now, baby. I can’t wait to get my arms around you!” The construction worker started to climb down the ladder.
I knew that I should just take the high road and walk away. I could easily ignore his advances.
I thought about Zara, the main character in the book I’d been writing—and was possibly slightly obsessed with.
Would Zara walk away? No! She would stand up and declare her dominance and never let a strange man speak to her that way.
I waited until the man reached the bottom of the ladder and then I let him have it.
“Listen up! Just because I’m walking down the sidewalk that doesn’t give you the right to make comments about me! I am not your baby and I am certainly not going to let you put your arms around me!”
The man stared at me, obviously put into his place by my stern lecture. He couldn’t even bring himself to speak, he was so ashamed—or possibly just stunned at my outburst.
“Well, that’s a good thing.” A voice came from just behind me.
I turned to find a petite brunette with her arms crossed. “Because if he touches you, I’ll kill you both.”
I was so surprised I dropped my bag of groceries—right down the open manhole that I’d been so careful to step around. Luckily, I had a death grip on my wine glasses.
“Ouch!” Someone in the manhole complained.
“I’m sorry!” I took a slight step back. “I thought he was talking to me.”
“As if I would ever speak to a random woman like that. What do you think I am, some kind of oaf?” He shook his head and wrapped his arms around the brunette. “There’s only one lady for me.”
He kissed her passionately, despite having grime all over his face. She didn’t hesitate to kiss him in return.
I stared at them both for some time. That was the kind of love that I wanted.
“Did you drop something?”
I turned to see my grocery bag dangling from the gloved hand of another construction worker.
“Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t hurt you.” I frowned and took the bag from him.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not the first time someone has dropped something on my head.” He rapped the hard surface of his hat. “That’s what this is for.”
I smiled at him, but I still felt foolish for accusing the other worker.
I started down the sidewalk again. I hoped to escape without anyone else noticing me.
“Wowsa, that is one delicious set of buns!”
I willed myself not to respond. I was sure it was someone buying a hot dog or something. I had already fallen for that once.
“Oh, you’re too good for a thank you?” The construction worker beside me asked.
I turned to look at him.
“I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”
“Yes, I was. I just paid you a nice compliment.” His dark mustache wiggled as he stared at me.
I resisted the desire to say thank you. I reminded myself that I was a modern woman that could not let that kind of behavior slide.
“Sir, I’ll have you know that women don’t find comments like that flattering.”
“Oh, sure they do.” He shrugged. “I guess you’re just too pretty to appreciate a man trying to flirt.”
I had to smile at that one. Okay, yes—it was wrong, but still—he called me pretty.
“Maybe if you came up with a nicer way of doing it, you wouldn’t have so much trouble.”
With that I walked past him. I might have walked with just a little more sway in my step. I wasn’t proud of it.
Chapter 5
Once I was safely in my apartment, I set my wine glasses on the counter and put my groceries away. The entire time I was itching to check my e-mail. I tried to remind myself that I might not hear anything from Blue and that I had to be okay with that. But it was not easy to stay focused on what I was doing.
Finally, I gave in and rushed over to my computer. As soon as I logged into my e-mail, I saw a notification that I had a new message. I was excited but also a little frightened. What if he said no?
I opened the e-mail.
SWF,
I would be honored to join you. Just let me know where and I will be there. I can’t wait to finally meet you in person, and I’m glad that you invited me. I was beginning to think that you never wanted to lay eyes on me. I guess we will find out on Saturday!
Blue
My heart fluttered at his words.
Yes, we would find out on Saturday. The very idea that in just a few days I would be face-to-face with Blue made me dizzy with excitement—and more than a small amount of fear. What would he think of me? Would he be disappointed? Would I be disappointed?
I sent him a message back with my phone number as well as the address of my apartment. It was strange to send that information to him. I knew that he was a stranger in traditional terms, but I had no question in my mind that I could trust
him.
Still, it was odd to think that Blue now had my phone number. He could call me at any time. That made the ringing of my phone so much more exciting.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed, making me jump.
I grabbed it and saw that it was Max. It was probably the only time in the history of our friendship that I was disappointed to see his name on my caller ID.
“Hiya!” Even to my own ear, my voice sounded a bit too cheerful.
“Hey, you. It sounds like you’re having a good day. I was wondering if you’d like to see a movie on Saturday after your dinner party?”
First Blue was coming to the party, then Max was asking me to a movie? I was ecstatic, until I realized that was probably not the best idea.
What if things went well with Blue? Wouldn’t it be rude of me to suddenly say that I had to go to a movie with another man?
“Sammy?”
“I can’t that night. But maybe Sunday?”
“Are you busy Saturday night? I mean, I know you have the dinner, but I’m thinking of the midnight movie—you’re always trying to convince me to go that late, right?” Max laughed.
My heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t like I’d never gone out on a date with anyone else before. Max dated plenty of women. But for some reason, I just didn’t want him to know about Blue. Maybe it was because I felt so strongly about Blue, or maybe it was because I had been keeping him a secret for so long.
I didn’t usually lie to Max, but I had to trust my instincts.
“I will be, yes. I mean, with the party and cleaning up and everything.”
“I can help you with that.”
“Max, really I think it would be best if I just stayed in after that. I’ll probably be pretty tired.”
“Okay, then we could rent a movie.”
I found it a little odd that he was being so insistent. I wondered if he suspected something. Alright, Samantha, now you’re just being paranoid.
“What’s wrong, Max? Don’t you have someone to bring to the dinner party?”
“Oh, well—I wasn’t planning to bring anyone. I figured I’d just enjoy the time with you.”
“That’s so sweet.” I cringed. How was he going to feel if I was spending all my time with Blue? “You can bring someone, though, if you like. Janice is bringing her boyfriend.”
“Alright then. I’ll make other plans for after the party, I suppose. But if you’re up for it just let me know, okay?”
“Sure. I’m looking forward to this.”
“I’m glad. You’ll be great.”
I laughed a little and expected him to follow up his compliment with a playful insult. Instead, he just hung up the phone.
How interesting. Max, what are you up to?
I stood up and walked into the kitchen. I wanted to double-check to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything at the grocery store.
I was so excited about meeting Blue that I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it to Saturday.
The rest of the week flew by.
I had several shifts at Fluff and Stuff with mostly happy customers.
I had a brief taco splurge with Max at midnight after a long writing session.
I had the chance to hook up with my writing group to get a few tips on how my book was progressing.
When I woke up on Saturday morning, I felt like there hadn’t been enough time to prepare for the party. I was fairly certain that I was not going to have everything ready on time.
Instead of freaking out as I normally would have, I read over what I’d posted to my blog. I hadn’t heard from Blue all week. I was really hoping that he would text me or call me, but he seemed to be respecting the fact that I’d not invited him to do so.
Max, on the other hand, was all over me about Saturday night. I had the feeling that Janice told him I was inviting someone I was interested in.
It was time to push all of that out of my head and focus on what really mattered—the meal.
Chapter 6
I wanted the sauce to be perfect, so I started it early. That would give it plenty of time to simmer.
I pulled down the nice dishes from the high shelves in the kitchen cabinets. I cleaned the new wine glasses and managed to not drop any of them. So far things were going fairly well—at least that was what I was chanting in my mind.
The sauce had to be just right. It was what would tie the whole meal together. I wanted to be sure that everything was delicious.
I could smell the rolls baking.
In the back of my mind I ran through a checklist of what still needed to be done. I knew that it was going to be a bit of a tight squeeze at the table, so I’d decided to put some of the food out on the breakfast bar. I could serve it throughout the meal.
I was trying very hard to focus on the food I was preparing, but my mind kept drifting back to Blue and whether or not he was really going to show up. No matter how the food turned out, I was going to meet him for the first time. That was something that made my stomach turn somersaults.
I couldn’t wait to look into his eyes—this man who knew more about me than anyone in my life—maybe even more than Max these days.
Would it be love at first sight?
It was strange that I felt as if I already knew him so well and yet I couldn’t summon up an image of his face—I still had no idea what he looked like.
I studied the recipe for the sauce yet again. It was about the fifth time that I’d read it. The way it was worded was very confusing. Everything was a pinch of this, or some of that. What did that even mean?
I regretted not choosing a different recipe, but there was no time left to change it now. I had to get the Alfredo sauce just right. The noodles were supposed to come out of the pot just before they got too soft. Then there were the rolls I had made from scratch that had to be brushed with butter and a touch of honey.
My kitchen looked like my bag of flour had a bomb in it that had exploded. I had an hour to get things under control and the sinking feeling that I wasn’t going to be able to make it happen.
I grabbed a stick of butter, half of which was meant to go into the sauce. My hand was slippery from greasing the cookie sheet for the rolls and so the butter slipped right out of my hand and into the soapy dishwater—I’d been trying to keep up with the dishes as I cooked so that I would not have a huge mess when I was done.
I fished the butter out and eyed it suspiciously. It was still wrapped up. I was hoping that none of the soapy water had gotten to the butter. There was only one way to tell.
I unwrapped the butter. I sniffed it. It didn’t smell like soap. I was still nervous about using it in the sauce, which had begun to boil. I quickly turned it down before the milk could turn. I was getting more and more anxious as the minutes crept by.
All of a sudden—well, I couldn’t help myself—I licked the butter. It wasn’t just a tip of my tongue lick, it was a full-on lick. Not only did I feel appalled by my own action, but the butter definitely tasted like soap. I choked on the taste and tried to spit it into the trashcan.
My phone began ringing as I tossed the butter into the garbage. I snatched it up because I didn’t want to take a chance on missing a call from Blue—only my greasy hands had other ideas. My phone went flying right out of them.
It nearly landed in the soapy water, but instead clattered into the metal sink, right in the middle of a big pile of flour.
I wrapped my hand up in a towel and picked up my phone carefully. My heart raced. I wondered if it might be Blue. Part of me wanted it to be—a bigger part of me was terrified that he had decided to show up early. When I saw Max’s name on the caller ID, I was relieved.
“Hello?”
“Just wanted to check on how you’re doing.” Max’s soothing voice made me slow down and take a breath.
“Uh—well, it’s coming along.”
“Okay. Do you need help with anything?”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can, but do you want me to come
over early and help you get the food ready—or just keep you company?”
“No, I’m doing okay. Thanks for the offer, though.”
Now I was hoping that Blue would show up early and I might have a few minutes alone with him. But as the time ticked by, the chance of that happening appeared less and less likely.
Not long after Max’s phone call, my friends began to arrive. I welcomed them with some snacks and full glasses of wine.
As I watched my friends chatting and laughing, I had a hard time joining in. My eyes kept traveling toward the door. Not only had Max not arrived, neither had Blue. The two people I considered most important in my life hadn’t even bothered to show up. I was more than a little disappointed. I glanced at the clock and reminded myself that it was still early.
I turned my attention back to the food that I was cooking.
Chapter 7
While I focused on the sauce, I thought about Blue.
Maybe he had gotten lost. Had I possibly given him the wrong address? Had he gotten cold feet?
And what was Max’s excuse?
I heard a horn blare outside the apartment. Maybe I’d forgotten to give Blue the apartment number. Maybe he was driving around in circles looking for the apartment and was beeping the horn in an attempt to get my attention. I ran to the window and looked out, filled with hope.
I was disappointed to see a truck beeping at a biker to get out of the way. I stared out the window a few minutes longer. I wanted to see some kind of sign of Blue’s arrival, not that I would be able to recognize him if I saw him.
“Uh, is something burning?” Janice asked.
I looked over at her. She was snuggled up to her boyfriend. The two seemed so in love that it was beginning to get a little irritating.
I sniffed the air and realized that she was right. I smelled something burning too.
“The sauce!” I ran into the kitchen towards the pot. The sauce was simmering just fine. Smoke was curling out of the oven door. “Oh, no—the rolls!” I sighed and shook my head. “I’m sorry, guys, I forgot about the rolls.” I quickly shut off the oven. Then I opened the oven door to see what damage had been done. The moment I opened it, a cloud of smoke billowed out. I coughed as it flooded my nose and mouth. My guests began coughing as well.
Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) Page 49