“Hey girl,” Renee called out, instantly getting Dana’s attention.
“Where have you been?” Dana asked walking away from the waiter coming up to her. “I called Cruz and he said you left the gallery about twenty minutes ago.”
Renee gave her friend a quick hug and then took a step back. “I decided to walk here instead of drive since it was such a nice day outside. You know how much I love spring.”
“I know. Have you started working in your yard yet?”
“I’m going to do it tomorrow since its Saturday.” Renee said. “That’s why I’m glad you told me my tea order was in. I want to be able to drink a cup after I finish with my landscape in the front yard. I’ll probably do the back in a couple of weeks.”
“Yes, your order is in my office,” Dana told her. “I didn’t want any of my employees to accidentally open the box and add it to the other teas. I wouldn’t have been able to order a replacement until next week.”
Next week....there was no way she could have gone another week without her tea. Since she wasn’t a big liquor drinker, tea was the only thing she used to relax her after a long day at work.
“Thanks again for thinking to place my tea in your office. I really do appreciate it. So, how is the speed dating going?” Renee asked glancing around at the crowd, glad she wasn’t a part of it.
Dana’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “You wouldn’t believe how successful today is turning out. Are you sure that you aren’t a little curious about if you could find someone here? You never know.”
“Dana,” Renee warned in a low voice.
Why wasn’t Dana doing the speed dating herself? Most men would love a chance to date a beautiful and spunky Latino woman like her friend. Dana had everything going for her, but she just couldn’t seem to be able to find the right man.
“Okay, I’ll stop bothering you about it,” Dana sighed. “But I do have another question for you. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”
“What is it?”
“Have you thought about moving out of the house you shared with Robert? I’m just concerned it’s filled with so many bad memories. There’s a house up for sale a couple of doors down from mine. I would love to have you living closer in town and being my neighbor would only be an added bonus.”
Move out of the house she’d fought so hard to get? Why would she do that? Renee loved living outside of town; it gave her the peace she craved.
Dana’s suggestion shocked Renee. Not once since her divorce had she ever thought about moving out of her home. The house was hers...it was never Robert’s. He’d never spent enough time there to make any memories with her.
“You’re a wonderful friend to be so concerned about me, but I love living on the outskirts of town. I have all the privacy I could ever want and there are neighbors around me. We just aren’t on the top of each other.
“Hey, I noticed Sheriff Arness over there in the corner when I walked in. Is he still trying to get you to go out on a date with him? I think he’s pretty cute.” Everyone in town knew the attractive Sheriff had a thing for her best friend.
“Alright, if you’re happy I’ll leave it alone,” Dana answered.
“Are you going to answer my question about Sheriff Arness?” Renee asked. She loved teasing Dana about her crush;
‘No, I’m not,” Dana replied, shooting her a ‘leave it alone’ look. “Have you spoken with Robert lately?”
The way Dana asked her the question Renee knew something was up with her ex. She could only imagine what was going on with him now. “No, I haven’t. The last time we spoke was about a month ago. I found some of his old things in the attic and placed them on the porch for him to come and get. What’s going on with him now?”
“I heard that he and Sheila are having problems. She thinks he’s cheating on her.”
Renee’s laughter erupted before she could stop it. “Are you serious?” she asked the second she stopped laughing. “They haven’t been married a year yet.”
“I know,” Dana replied with a small smile at the corner of her mouth. “I guess karma has come back around to bite Sheila on her well toned yoga ass.”
“Dana, we shouldn’t laugh at her.” Renee wanted to feel smug, but she only felt sorry for Sheila because she learned too late that Robert didn’t love anyone but the reflection he saw in the mirror every morning.
“Can’t I at least tell her I told you so the next time she comes in here?”
“Well—”
She wanted to do the same thing, but it wouldn’t make her any better than the woman who married her ex-husband and then it would seem like she wanted Robert back which was the furthest thing from the truth.
“No, be the lady I know you are and don’t say a word to her.”
“Renee, you are way too nice for your own good,” Dana complained.
“I know—” The sound of loud music coming from in front of Dana’s café caught Renee’s attention making her stop talking in mid-sentence to see who was making such a racket.
A dark blue Jeep stopped in front of the café and a second later the music was turned off; but, Renee’s attention was no longer focused on the noise but the male driver behind the wheel. Without a doubt in her mind, the guy had to be the most gorgeous man she had been graced to lay her eyes upon.
Renee’s mouth watered as she watched the young guy get out of the jeep slamming the door behind him like he didn’t have a care in the world. Slowly, she allowed her eyes to wander over the male perfection as he grabbed the trash bag from the back of his jeep tossing it into the trashcan on the sidewalk.
Half the time when she spotted a man wearing a pair of overalls, the first thought that came into her mind was a country hick or someone who was working out on the land like a farmer or something. However, none of those thoughts entered her mind as the sexy young guy came towards Dana’s café.
Her interest was piqued even more when it dawned on her that he wasn’t going to walk past the building, but actually come inside. Was this what she was missing by working long hours at her shop or being at home researching art on the computer?
Shit! She needed to get out more.
Now, if he was going to participate in the speed dating then she might have to change her mind and do it just to get to know his name. “Who is that?” she asked Dana the second the hunk walked into the café.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Renee how several women young and old turned to look at him too. Who wouldn’t when someone was made like him?
Dana glanced at her before looking back at the guy who seemed like he was coming in their direction. Unconsciously, Renee ran her hands over her hair and down the front of her clothes wondering if she looked all right.
What a minute!
Why did she care what this guy thought about her? He was years younger than her and probably not even interested in learning her name. So, it might be for the best if she calmed herself down before he got closer to them and she embarrassed herself by drooling over him in public.
“If you can wait a few more seconds I’ll introduce you,” Dana said a spilt second before the guy stopped right in front of them.
“Good morning, Dana. How are you doing today?” he asked and then glanced in her direction. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.”
Renee was stunned by how blue the guy’s eyes were. They almost looked too perfect to be real, but she didn’t see him putting colored contacts in every morning. He seemed too rugged and all natural for something so dumb.
“It’s not a problem,” Dana said. “This is my best friend Renee Jones. Renee, I would like you to meet Travis Cole.”
“Nice to meet you,” Renee said as she extended her hand.
“You too,” Travis answered as his warm, calloused fingers wrapped around her softer ones and Renee was taken by the strength in them. Her biggest weakness was a good-looking man with strong hands and Travis had both in abundance.
God! S
he had to get herself under control and soon. She slowly removed her hands from Travis’, but not before she noticed how he brushed his thumb over the top. From the corner of her eyes, Renee saw the slight frown that quickly passed across Dana’s face at Travis’ lingering touch.
“What brings you here today?” Dana asked, making Renee tear her gaze away from Travis back over to her friend.
“I came by in hopes that my tea finally came in today. I wanted some to drink while I was working on my newest painting. You know how much I love the specialty flavors you have here.”
“You’re a painter?” Renee inquired, jumping in before Dana could answer Travis. The excitement she felt as her blood pumped through her veins almost took her over.
“Yes, Travis is very talented,” Dana answered, cutting in. “You should see some of his work. I’ve been thinking about hiring him to do some drawings and paintings for the café.”
“Do you know where Divine Design is?” Renee was already thinking about finding a way to get Travis to show her some samples of his work. If he really was as gifted as Dana was saying then she had to have him in her next show.
Travis’ handsome face lit up with sudden interest. “Yes. I know where it’s located. I‘ve wanted to take several of my painting in there, but I’m not quite sure if what I do is what the owner wants to see. So, I just keep putting it off.”
“Travis, I think today is both of our lucky days,” Renee said with a smile. “I’m the owner of Divine Design. I would love to see what you have to offer anytime you want to show it to me.” Renee flushed when she realized how suggestive her statement sounded. “I mean our paintings. I’m always interested in new and upcoming talented.”
Travis grinned and Renee was sure he understood the source of her embarrassment.
“I like to think I’m talented...in the up and coming department.”
Renee’s cheeks felt hotter. Goodness but it was getting warm in the café.
Just the mere thought of being in Travis’ company again without so many people around as making Renee’s pulse race. She hadn’t felt this kind of attraction for a man in such a long time. Not even Robert had gotten her going this fast from their first meeting.
Did it have something to do with Travis being so much younger than her?
Renee had already found Travis very appealing before she found out he was an artist, but now he was even sexier to her. Hopefully, he wouldn’t make her wait too long before he took her up on her offer.
“Are you sure that you have enough time to see Travis’ work?” Dana said. “I mean, you‘re already so swamped with getting ready for your next show at it is. I know Cruz was just telling me how you‘re already burning the candle at both ends.”
Travis momentarily took his eyes away from her and glanced at Dana who smiled at him.
What in the world was Dana trying to pull? Renee wondered. Her friend knew that she never passed up the opportunity to find a fresh new face in the art world. Usually Dana was so supportive and helpful to her when it came down to hunting down her talent. So, why was she pushing so hard to keep Travis away from her?
“I don’t want to put you out,” Travis said finally looking back in her direction. “I can wait until your next show is over before I come by your gallery.”
“Dana is just like a mother hen when it comes to me. She constantly thinks I work too much, but I’m not. Like I said, I’m very interested in seeing what you have to show me.”
Travis grinned and again Renee realized how her words could be misinterpreted.
“I guess I should go and check on that tea for the two of you,” Dana snapped with a hint of anger in her voice. “I can see that I’m not needed around here anymore.” Turning on her heel, Dana stomped off in the direction of her office finally leaving Renee alone with Travis.
Renee knew that she should leave and see what was going on with Dana, but there was something about Travis that was keeping her right in front of him.
“I think I should’ve come by at another time,” Travis said as he watched Dana storm away from them. “Dana seems very upset with me for some reason. Usually she’s so friendly when I come in.”
“No, I just think the speed dating thing is getting to her today. She wants it to be such a success.”
“I wondered what was going on when I came inside,” Travis said. “I know the café is usually pretty full but it did seem more crowded than normal.”
“You’re right. Dana does have a successful business. I hate to admit I think I might have upset her too. She wanted me to join in and I backed out on her. Speed dating just isn’t something I want to do at my age.”
“What do you mean at your age?” Travis frowned. “You’re a beautiful woman. I can’t believe you would need to do something like speed dating to find a man.”
Hearing the compliment made Renee feel good. “I’m single.”
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d referred to herself as ‘single’. It sounded very strange coming out of her mouth. “I’ve been divorced for a while now.”
Renee didn’t want to get on the subject of her ex-husband. Anytime Robert found a way into the conversation it was a constant thorn in her side. He wasn’t going to ruin her day...not after she’d just met Travis.
“Well, I have to say that whoever let you go was a very crazy man.” An easy smile played at the corners of Travis’ mouth.
Renee found it impossible not to return his disarming smile. “Your girlfriend is a very lucky woman to have such a sweet and charming boyfriend.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” Travis answered. “I spend so much time on my career that my past girlfriends have gotten fed up and broken up with me. At first, they think dating an artist would be something cool and exciting to do until they realize all the work that goes into my passion and then they’re out the door.”
Should she be this happy that Travis is single?
Did she have enough nerve to ask him out on a date? What were his views about going out with an older woman? Sure, he had given her a compliment, but it could have only been a flattering remark and nothing else.
Sometimes she did have a bad habit of reading more into a situation than was there. Could this be one of those times? Or should she consider it as nothing ventured, nothing gained?
Chapter Five
“I can’t believe a girl wouldn’t find watching you painting very sexy,” Renee flirted back. She wouldn’t mind spending a couple of hours alone with Travis and drooling as he got covered in paint from head to toe. Being around an artist in his element was one of the sexiest things a woman could be invited to do; just the thought of it was very appealing to her.
However, she was getting way ahead of herself. Travis hadn’t even volunteered to even bring any of his work to her gallery and she was already dreaming about seeing his hard, toned body smeared with the primary colors.
Shit! Maybe Dana was right and she should have done the speed dating thing. At least, she wouldn’t be standing here daydreaming over someone so much younger than her. Travis might not be into the May/December kind of relationship.
“Maybe that’s my problem,” Travis said, stepping a little closer to her. “Maybe I should be looking for a woman instead of a girl. It just seems like girls my age don’t appreciate my talent as much as I want them to.”
A lock of Travis’ dark brown hair fell across his forehead giving him an even sexier boy look and Renee resisted the urge to brush it back in place with her fingers.
Renee couldn’t believe this was happening to her. Was Travis actually flirting with her? Did he feel the underlying currents just like her? Or was she just reading way too much into his comment?
Temptation was a bad thing, but she was about to give into it any second now consequences be damned!
Wait a minute....
She was the mature one and she needed to keep her wits about her. Travis, no matter how cute his left dimple might be at this very second, couldn’t become a
distraction to her. She had too much going on right now to fantasize about this hunky younger man.
She’d better get this conversation back on Travis’ art or she might end up saying something that might make him not come to her art gallery. If his talent lived up to Dana’s praise then she wanted him in her next show in a few weeks. Taking one step at a time would work out better for her.
“Travis, let me give you my card and you can make an appointment to come by the gallery. I can show you around and then you can decide if you want to show some of your paintings or drawings at my next opening.” Digging inside her purse, Renee found a business card and handed it to Travis.
Taking it from her, Travis slid it into the pocket of his overalls. “Can I call you any time of the day?”
“Yes,” Renee answered, trying to keep her surprising attraction to Travis at bay. She wasn’t one of those types of women to get excited if a younger guy tossed a few faltering comments in her direction.
No, she was mature and refined. She had a good head on her shoulders now especially after her horrible divorce from her husband. She didn’t see herself jumping into bed with this cutie in front of her.
“What if I wanted to call you for something that doesn’t involve my art work?” The question was tossed out at her so fast that Renee was speechless at first.
Damn! The younger generation worked faster than the men in her age group. Did Travis just ask her out on a date?
“Why don’t you make the call and see what happens?” Renee said as she tried to walk past Travis, but he stepped in front of her blocking her path.
“I know I’ll be calling you to discuss more than my talent,” he whispered, softly and then moved out of her way so she could get by.
An electrifying shudder reverberated through her as Travis’ eyes held hers a second longer than they should have. Somehow, Renee managed to walk away from him without tripping over her own two feet or looking back over her shoulder.
Me And Mrs Jones Page 3