Worth It

by Nicki DeStasi

  Sighing in frustration, I jump out and slam the door shut. Eyes down, I start to trudge toward the shop. When I glance up, I stop. Who the hell is she? I can’t see her face because it’s blocked by her long brown hair. She’s tiny, and even under her leather coat, I can see that her boobs are nuclear.

  She’s a few yards away, but when she glances around before walking down the street, my dick jerks.

  Fuck, she’s beautiful.

  I narrow in on her ass as she moves away before she finally leaves my sight to enter the pizza shop a block away. I kinda want to go into the shop and see if I can find out who she is, but I shake my head to clear the thought.

  Right, that wouldn’t be creepy or anything.

  I feel like a fucking weirdo right now, but she’s so fucking hot. This town is small, so it’s strange that I don’t know who she is. I bet my uncle will know, so I shake off the stalker vibe and stride into his shop.

  “Hey, Jed,” Donnie calls out when I enter.

  “Who was the girl that just left?”

  He grins. “You saw little Anna leave, did you?”

  “Anna?”

  “Yeah, little Anna down at the pizza shop,” he says.

  “She works there?” Why haven’t I seen her there before?”

  He smirks. “Actually, since I knew you were coming in, I was going to have you come down there with me tonight, so I could introduce the two of you.”

  “Introduce us?”

  “Yeah. You said you wanted out of the dating scene, and she’s a real sweetheart, so I thought I could introduce the two of you.” He shrugs.

  My uncle is the shit, so his seal of approval makes me even more curious. “Okay, let’s go.” Turning for the door, I hear him start laughing. When I turn back around, I ask, “What?”

  When he finally calms down enough to speak, he says, “Jed, relax, she’s working all night. I need to give her car an oil change and check it out. Then, I’m going over afterward to give her back her keys and grab dinner for your aunt and me. You can come with me. I’ll have Joe change your oil while John does Anna’s, all right?”

  I’m a simple man—cue Lynyrd Skynyrd music. Have a problem? I look for a solution. Something is broken? I fix it. See a hot girl? Close the deal.

  But I guess I’m jumping the gun, so I nod and say, “All right.”

  He smirks. “Come on, boy. Let’s go take a look at those cars.”

  “It’s going to need new wheel bearings, Don,” John tells my uncle from beside Anna’s dismantled tire wheel. “We’re going to need to keep it another day.”

  By the look on my uncle’s face, he’s not happy. “She’s going to need that car to get around, but I can let her borrow my car to get home tonight and to come back to work in the morning.” He turns to me and asks, “Jed, can you drop me off at home after we stop by Village Pizza?”

  “Yeah, sure, no problem,” I say.

  I take note of the fact that she works a lot. I wouldn’t say I’m a regular, but I’ve been to Village Pizza enough times, so I still can’t believe I’ve never seen her there before.

  “All right, let’s head over and deliver the news,” my uncle mutters.

  I grin. Nice. Flash this chick a smile, introduce myself, and I’ll have her number pocketed before I leave. “Good. Let’s go.”

  He smirks and rolls his eyes, but he says nothing as we make our way out the door.

  Fuck, it’s cold. I tuck my hands into my coat pockets. “So, tell me more about Anna.”

  “Well,” he begins, “she can be pretty shy, and it took her a while to open up and give me more than simple answers. She’s sweet and very driven. She works a lot, and she’ll graduate in the spring.”

  I nod. “How do you know her?”

  He sighs as we approach the door, but he stops just outside of it. “She moved to Shirley from Groton with her boyfriend and started working here.” He gestures toward the door with his thumb, and then he laughs, looking as though he’s remembering something funny. “She’s also a horrible driver, so she’s at the shop a lot, too.”

  “Why are you introducing me to her if she already has a boyfriend?” I snap, startling us both with the heat behind my words. I don’t even know this chick, but I’m already territorial. What the fuck is my problem?

  His eyes widen. “They broke up five or six months ago.”

  I relax, but the shift in my mood confuses the fuck out of me. “Oh,” is all I can respond with.

  He just raises an eyebrow before he pushes through the door.

  As we enter, my eyes find her immediately. I take advantage of the opportunity to get a good look at her. She has the wall phone tucked between her shoulder and her ear, but her fingers are typing furiously against her cell phone, presumably sending a text. I take special note of the smooth curve of her throat, and fantasies form that include her neck and my kisses. She pockets her cell and hangs up the receiver before the pen in her hand flies across the order pad. She tears off the order slip and hangs it up.

  She catches our movement toward the counter, and when she sees Uncle Donnie, she spreads her plump pink lips, revealing her smile.

  Jesus fucking Christ!

  The way her smile lights up her already beautiful face is awesome. Her legs are long even though she’s short, her hips are curvy, and her waist is small. Finally, my eyes land on the things that first caught my attention—her tits. As an unabashed boob guy, I’m pumped because hers are rounded perfection. Her straight leg jeans and fitted blue T-shirt are not meant to turn heads, but my mouth waters.

  “Hey, Donnie. How are you?”

  “Wonderful, Anna. This is my nephew, Jed, the guy I wanted to introduce you to,” he says, gesturing toward me.

  When her big blues shift in my direction, I grin when her jaw drops slightly, and her eyes widen.

  I know that look. I’m definitely getting her number before the night is over.

  “Nice to meet you, Anna.” I thrust out my hand to introduce myself.

  She doesn’t do or say anything, and my smile starts to fade.

  Was I wrong?

  She snaps out of it and smiles back as she clasps her tiny palm with mine. “Nice to meet you, too, Jed.”

  I let go of her hand and tuck mine into my pocket. This is the part where the flirting starts. I’ll smile that smile that gets the ladies every time. She’ll smile back coyly and bat her eyelashes. Then, I’ll ask for her number, so I can take her out.

  But when I flash the smile, the rest doesn’t happen. Huh. That’s a first.

  She actually looks a little uncomfortable when she says, “Um…uh, the usual, Donnie?”

  I look at my uncle, who looks just as confused as I feel.

  “Sure, Anna, that would be great, but I needed to tell you that your wheel bearings must be replaced, and your car won’t be ready until tomorrow. I know you need to get to and from work tonight and tomorrow, so you can just borrow my car, okay?”

  Her eyes widen in surprise, but then her face softens. I smile, watching the emotions move across her face. It’s cute.

  “Are you sure? I might be able to…” She trails off, and then she bites her bottom lip.

  It makes my dick twitch. Shit, down boy.

  “Anna, really, it’s no problem. I’ll stop by tomorrow when you’re at work and bring by your keys, so we can switch cars.”

  She continues to worry her bottom lip, and my fingers twitch with the urge to pry the plumpness from her teeth, so I can replace it with my tongue.

  What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even know her.

  “All right, if you’re sure you don’t mind,” she says.

  Donnie smiles and says, “I’m sure, sweetheart.”

  Her sexy lips curl up. “Okay.” Turning to me, she asks nervously, “Can I get you anything?”

  You. “Sure, I’ll have a large steak and cheese.”

  She smiles, but it’s strained. My lips tip down when she walks away without another word.


  What the hell am I doing wrong?

  “She doesn’t seem interested,” I whisper to Donnie when she’s out of earshot.

  “I told you she was shy. I think you made her nervous with your staring.”

  I grimace.

  “What? You were,” he says.

  My frown deepens, but he’s probably right. I did stare her, but it’s not like I had a chance to say anything.

  He pats my shoulder. “Relax. She didn’t seem to think you were bad to look at either.”

  I give him a half smile and relax a little. Maybe we’re doing the cat-and-mouse thing? Maybe she wants the chase? I smile inwardly. I can do that.

  Donnie’s ancient brick cell rings, interrupting my thoughts. He looks at the display, smiles, and then answers the call. “Hi, Rosey.”

  I look back over at Anna working around the kitchen. I catch her attention and try the smile again. A blush creeps up her neck, and she shyly smiles back. That makes me relax more because it seems like I am affecting her. Good.

  “Oh shit. Okay, I’ll be right there, honey. Just keep pressure on it. I’m on my way.”

  My uncle’s anxious voice pulls me back to him.

  “What happened?” I ask, concerned.

  “Your aunt cut her finger while making a salad to go with the subs. It’s not too bad, but she thinks she’ll need stitches. I gotta…oh shit, I need my car, and I told…shit.” He brings his fist to his mouth, the wheels in his head turning fast and furiously.

  Perfect. “I’ll drive her.” I’ll get a chance to talk to her while doing her a favor at the same time. It’s win-win.

  His eyebrows shoot up, and his lips twist to the side as he thinks it over. He looks over at Anna as she’s bustling around the kitchen, making orders, and then he sighs warily. “Let me go talk to her first.”

  Donnie motions Anna over, and she walks to meet him.

  I didn’t realize it before, but offering to drive a chick I don’t know was a little forward. Too much? I’m out of my element here. I’m not used to shy girls.

  I watch her facial expression as he explains the situation, and I’m struck again my how cute she is when her face gives away what she’s thinking. At first, she shows concern, and I assume he’s telling her about Aunt Rose, but then her eyes shoot to mine. With a surprised look, her face turns scarlet as he continues talking, and she looks down at her twisting hands. I grin when she peeks up at me through her lashes, and her lips curl.

  Ah, there’s the coy smile I’ve been waiting for.

  She nods, and then she heads for the kitchen as Donnie returns to me.

  “All right, she said she doesn’t mind if you give her a ride.”

  I’d rather her ride me. Clenching my jaw, I tell myself to calm the hell down.

  Uncle Donnie continues, “I told her you’re a good guy and not a serial killer.”

  My jaw drops.

  “I think you guys will work out, but you need to rein it in a little.”

  “What? I said four words to the girl.”

  “Fine, whatever. I need to go. Just tone down the leering,” he says before rushing out the door, not waiting for my response.

  Well, fuck me.

  I walk over and lean against the counter. I tap my fingers on its smooth surface, thinking about what my uncle said. I wasn’t fucking leering. I was using the smile. It works every time, but now that I think about it, I use it while I’m talking to a chick. Maybe it did look like I was leering, but she’s fucking hot. I sigh. I’m gonna have some time to chat her up when I’m driving her home, so there’s no point in overthinking shit.

  Finally, I notice her walking in my direction, holding what I assume is my sub, and I can’t help myself when my lips tip up. The redness that spreads across her cheeks is cute, and I smile wider.

  “How do keep track of everything when you’re running around like that?” I ask as she hands me my sub.

  She gives me a half smile and shrugs as she says, “Practice.”

  I nod as I reach into my back pocket for my wallet. “How much do I owe ya?”

  She dismisses my question with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

  My eyebrows pull together.

  “It’s the least I can do for you giving me a ride.”

  “Nah, don’t worry about it. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”

  Her eyes widen slightly. “Talk?”

  I chuckle. “Yeah, you’re cute, and my uncle thinks we’d be good together. I figured we could talk and see if we hit it off.”

  I can’t say that I expected the deer-caught-in-the-headlights reaction, but I think it’s a good thing. She already seems different than the women I’ve met.

  “Hit it off?”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah.”

  “God, sorry.” She shakes her head and looks down. “I’m acting like an idiot.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” I grin. “Let me pay for my sub.”

  “All right,” she mumbles. “Seven dollars, please?”

  I pull out a ten, and when she doesn’t look up as she grabs the bill, I frown.

  Damn, she’s hot and cold. Ducking my head, so I can meet her eyes, I say, “Hey.”

  When she still doesn’t look up, without thinking, I reach out to tip up her chin. Just before I make contact with her smooth skin, she jerks back.

  Shit. Maybe it was too forward of me to touch her. But most women melt into my touch, not away from it. Maybe I was reading her wrong, and she’s not interested at all. Well, that’s a fucking punch to the face. I finally meet a girl who catches my attention, and she doesn’t want me touching her. I need to retreat, regroup, and up my game. Honestly, normally, I’d laugh and say, your loss, but something about her makes me want to try harder instead of walk away. Or is this part of the cat-and-mouse game? I don’t know because I’ve never played it.

  She hands me my change without a word or a glance.

  “What time do you get off work?” I ask, trying to get her to say something.

  She wrings her fingers nervously. “Um, I’m out at nine tonight, but I was hoping you could maybe drop me off at my friend’s house? We kind of have this weekly Friday night thing. We play Rock Band and just laugh and stuff. I don’t want to miss it. I can totally get a ride home from there, so if you don’t mind, I would be really grateful if—”

  “Anna,” I interrupt her rambling with a slight chuckle, “really, I don’t mind dropping you off wherever you need to go.” I hesitate before I mentally say, fuck it. “I’m looking forward to it,” I add.

  Her eyes meet mine, and her face lights up. She seems happy, flattered even, and my shoulders relax, but then her smile slips.

  She finally nods, reserved. “Okay, thank you, Jed. I really appreciate this. I’ll see you a little later?”

  Jesus Christ, I can’t figure this woman out. I flash her a grin and say, “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

  As I leave the pizza place and walk back to the shop for my truck, I’m so fucking confused. I don’t know what it is about this chick that makes me want her so bad. I get that she’s hot, really hot, but there’s something else. Maybe her shyness is a challenge for me to get her to open up? I don’t know what the fuck is going on in her head. She’s hot and then cold. She’s shy, I get that, but I don’t think that’s it. There’s something about her that makes me want to find out what it is.

  Watching the model of male perfection walk out the door, my stomach twists in knots. He’s undeniably gorgeous. He’s about six-three with a broad chest and shoulders, muscular build, and raven hair. The slope of his straight nose, high cheekbones, and angular jaw showcase his flawless, rugged Italian features. His eyebrows are as dark as his hair, and his long eyelashes surround his second-best feature—his chocolate colored eyes. I love chocolate. His smile is just…gawd. No words.

  Sighing, I return to work. Like any other Friday night, we’re busy, and I’m sure I’ve already irritated my boss, Christos, by speaking with Donni
e and Jed. I sure as shit don’t need to give Alex, the boss’s asshole brother, any more ammunition to be a sexist dickhead. I rush back to the monotony of making pizzas, and then I pretend to be a perky little pizza girl while interacting with customers. The happier I pretend to be, the better the tips, so I keep my plastic smile cemented to my face throughout the night.

  As the hours pass, my hands stay busy, but my head is a spinning mess. I just officially ended things with Sam once and for all, and that took a lot out of me. I feel fragile. I’m not ready to see if I can hit it off with anyone. I don’t think I can handle the stress. But shit, that man is sexy. I honestly have no clue how I caught his attention. I’ll probably send him running anyway. I get so nervous talking to new people that I start spewing stupid shit, which makes me more nervous. It’s a snowball effect. My stomach sinks when I realize that even if I thought I was strong enough to get to know Jed, it wouldn’t work. I’ll say or do something stupid, and he’ll run screaming.

  Stop the dramatics! I smirk. My inner voice can be a blessing and a curse, a voice of reason or a demeaning perfectionist that says I can’t do anything right. This time, she’s right. I need to relax.

  The ringing phone snaps me out of my rambling thoughts, and I answer, “Village Pizza, what can I get for you?”

  “Anna?” a deep, sexy voice asks.

  “Yes, this is she.” Who the heck is this?

  “Hi, Anna. It’s Jed.”

  Just like earlier, my heart skips a beat, and butterflies battle around my insides. I close my eyes, and I smile as I lean against the wall. Just because I don’t think it would be a good idea to get to know him, that doesn’t mean I can’t daydream about his hotness.

  “I just wanted to call and make sure you were still getting out at nine tonight.”

  “Um…yeah, nine. I can meet you out front if you want,” I say, picturing his smile.