“Great minds think alike.” She laughed and settled in for the twenty-minute drive. She perked up when he slowed, and her eyes grew wide when he pulled up to the entrance that included a red carpet and several photographers. She hadn’t expected the opening of the astronomy section of the Garriety Science Center to be so extravagant.
“This is so neat,” he whispered.
“Why are you whispering?”
“I don’t know.” He grinned and stepped out, giving the valet his car keys before walking around the car and opening Ainslon’s door.
Ainslon accepted his hand and stepped out. Only a few flashbulbs went off, thank goodness. She wasn’t used to going somewhere so fancy. At the door, she handed the doorman their tickets.
“Have a good evening.” The doorman tipped his cap.
“Thank you.”
As soon as her feet crossed the threshold, Ainslon let the full effect of the atmosphere wash over her. “This is so cool.”
“I know.” Justin held out his arm and Ainslon slipped her hand through it. “Look at us.” Ainslon laughed and scanned the area when she came to a complete stop. “Ainslon, what?”
Her eyes zeroed in on Lauren talking to a man in the corner of the room. “It’s Lauren.” The blue, knee length, long sleeve dress hugged her body to perfection.
“Let’s go say hi.” Justin squeezed her hand.
“She’s busy; we can catch her later.”
He frowned, then brightened as his sight fixed on something across the room. “There’s Colin from game night. Let’s go say hi to him.” Ainslon was fond of the boy. He and his siblings, Ralph and Heidi, made it to just about every game night.
Ainslon nodded, followed beside him, and walked up to Colin. “Hi, buddy.” She couldn’t help but be conscious of the fact Lauren stood only a few feet away, but she kept her attention on the boy in front of her.
“Ainslon, how cool is this?” He wore a pair of black trousers, blue button-down, and a black tie with the planets on it.
“That’s what we were talking about,” Justin said.
Colin looked at their intertwined arms and squinted at them. “Are you dating?”
“What?” Ainslon adjusted her belt. “Me and Justin. No. We’re friends who love astronomy.”
“I’m going to get us something to drink,” Justin said.
“Okay.” She surveyed around them. “Fancy, huh?”
“It is. Have you seen the observation deck yet?” A voice said from behind her.
She turned around and came face to face with Lauren. “Hello.”
“Fancy meeting you here.”
Ainslon just about swooned when Lauren pecked her on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“As do you.”
“It’s Ainslon, Aunt Lauren,” Colin said. “From game night. I won the tickets. Remember?”
Aunt? “I didn’t know he was your nephew.”
Lauren smiled and stepped up next to him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “He’s my best friend’s son. He was excited to get the tickets.”
Ainslon beamed. “I was excited to get mine as well.”
Colin fidgeted. “There sure are a bunch of people here.”
Ainslon glanced around, noticing the space filling up fast. She knelt next to him as Justin walked up to them. “Don’t even worry about them. This is such a cool experience and most of these people don’t even care about that. While they’re talking it up with each other, we’ll be checking this place out. What do you say?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
She stood and turned warm and fuzzy when Lauren gave her a smile, then accepted the glass Justin handed her.
“Ms. Millán,” Justin said. “I’m Justin Bishop, Ainslon’s business partner.”
“Justin, it’s nice to meet you.” She raised her glass to him before taking a sip.
“You as well. Let’s go check out the observation deck.” Justin took the lead and set his empty glass on a tray by the door to the deck. Ainslon and Lauren followed suit. Justin held the door open for them and they walked out onto a ten-foot wide by seventy-five-foot long observation deck with a telescope spaced every five feet apart. The five telescopes on either end, Ainslon had read, stayed locked in place on different points, but the five in the middle allowed the guests to adjust them.
All glittering polished steel beamed back at them. No wonder the center cost close to twenty million to complete. It was one of the most expensive additions to Garriety in recent years. Ainslon was looking forward to checking out the planetarium at a later date. It was the one exhibit that wasn’t open tonight.
Ainslon looked up and watched Colin and Justin walk to the end of the deck. She turned around and blushed when Lauren, sitting on a bench, patted the spot beside her. Ainslon joined her. “It’s a beautiful night.” Her eyes scanned the floor made up of bricks, engraved with the names of donors.
“It is. The stars have always fascinated Colin and he was so disappointed when I couldn’t acquire tickets. So, thank you, Ainslon, for the tickets.”
Ainslon couldn’t take her eyes off Lauren’s hand resting on the bench between them. She didn’t know what possessed her, but she reached over and placed her hand on top of Lauren’s and breathed a sigh of relief when Lauren didn’t pull away but held tightly to it. “It was a bit of luck,” she said after a moment. “The kid that usually wins was out sick.” For game nights, they relied on businesses to provide the prizes given away. They’d lucked out when they received four tickets to the opening.
“He was excited when he won. He said the players are getting better and he has me playing with him as often as possible.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Lauren squeezed her hand. “It’s not. I love spending time with him and his siblings.” She paused, seeming to think over her words. “I was wondering if you were seeing anyone?”
Ainslon jerked her head around and caught Lauren’s eyes. She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she went with it. If Lauren could be brave, so could she. “Well, there is this one woman who caught my attention.”
Lauren squeezed Ainslon’s hand again. “Do tell.”
Ainslon leaned back against the bench and decided to take her nana’s advice. “She’s beautiful and smart. Funny, caring, and,” Ainslon leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “the sexiest woman I have ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.” Ainslon mentally patted herself on the back when Lauren shivered next to her and blushed. “She’s successful, good with kids, and loves animals.”
“She sounds like a catch.”
“I’m starting to think so,” she said, quietly. “I really am.”
Lauren looked uncertain. “Have you known her long?”
“From the first moment we met, all the pieces seemed to click even though we haven’t been on a date or spent that much time together.”
“That’s a nice feeling. As for the date part, that can be easily rectified.” Lauren stood and offered Ainslon her hand. Ainslon grasped it, noting how soft the skin was. They moved toward the boys when they motioned them over. “Let’s go see what all the fuss is about.”
As they walked hand in hand past Justin and Colin, Justin winked; she grinned back. As Lauren leaned down to look through the eye of the telescope, Ainslon fixed her gaze on Lauren’s shapely rear. Lauren looked up and caught Ainslon’s blatant ogling.
“Enjoying the view?”
Ainslon felt her face heat. “Yes. Yes, I am.” She wanted to ask Lauren out, but wouldn’t even consider that an option until she handed over her book. For now, Lauren led her to the next telescope. An hour later, they’d explored the rest of the exhibits. By the time they made it back to the observation deck, Justin and Colin were waiting for them with expectant looks on their faces. “You two look up to something.”
“I agree.” Lauren squeezed her hand.
Colin nodded at Justin as he started to speak, “While you two were looking, we checked out the foo
d and it…”
Colin butted in. “It’s mostly seafood, like from mom’s last work party.”
“I see. So, what you’re saying is you want to get out of here and get something to eat?” They both nodded. Lauren turned to Ainslon. “Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.” Truth be told, she hadn’t eaten anything since the farmers market that morning.
Lauren rolled her eyes. “What did you two want to eat? Or do I even have to ask?”
“Pizza,” they both said.
“Pizza.” Ainslon chimed in as her stomach growled.
“I see I’m out voted even before we took a vote. Colin, so I can tell your mother I fed you properly, you will also be eating a salad.” He nodded.
“Lauren, did you drive?” Ainslon asked as they made their way to the entrance.
“We took a cab.”
Ainslon looked at Justin and he smiled. “You can ride with us and we can take you two home.”
“Are you sure? It won’t be a problem for us to grab a cab.”
“It’s really no trouble.”
A short drive later, they were all seated at a table by the window in Ainslon and Justin’s favorite pizza place, By the Slice. Lauren and Colin deferred to Ainslon and Justin to order for them. Lauren’s eyes widened by the amount of food the two ordered. Ainslon looked sheepish for a moment, then shrugged. Better for Lauren to find out now how much she ate, rather than later.
“So, Colin. Your aunt tells me you’ve been practicing playing Settlers of Catan.”
“Yep. Aunt Lauren plays with me. She’s good.”
“Really?” Ainslon didn’t think Lauren could be any more charming, but she proved her wrong at every turn.
“There is a lot you don’t know about me. Even before Colin started with your tournaments, we’d have game night a couple of times a month.”
“Justin and I have game nights once a month with a few of our friends.”
“I wouldn’t recommend playing with Ainslon. She’s competitive,” Justin added.
“I’m not that bad,” Ainslon muttered, then shut up when she felt a slight pressure on her knee. Lauren’s hand. “Whatever. Don’t ever let Justin be your partner in Charades. He’s awful.”
He nodded. “I really am.” The waitress placed their pizza, chicken wings, and onion rings on the table and a small salad for each of them.
Ainslon pondered where to start. She grabbed two pieces of pizza, a few chicken wings, onion rings and at the last second slid her salad close by her plate, then winked at Colin, who giggled. “What? I’m hungry.” She waved her hand. “Dig in.”
After Lauren finished eating, her hand found its way back to Ainslon’s knee. Ainslon found she didn’t mind that one bit.
“I do believe it’s time for us to go home,” Lauren said, when Colin yawned.
Ainslon jumped up before Lauren could protest and paid their bill.
“Ainslon, I would have taken care of that.”
Ainslon waved her off. “Nonsense. I didn’t mind.” She shrugged. “Next time you can get the bill.”
Lauren’s eyes sparkled. “All right. Next time.”
Ainslon sat quietly while they dropped Lauren and Colin off. She breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled up outside her apartment building.
Justin shut the car off. “Ainslon?”
She turned in her seat and faced him. “What do you think of her?”
“I like her, and I believe she likes you too.” He reached for her hand.
“Really?” She bit her lip. Lauren was sending out signals, but Ainslon didn’t want to mess this up.
“Yes, really. Give yourself some credit.”
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Too right, you will.”
She laughed and waved at the security guard before bounding to the elevator. Maybe. Just maybe she would work up the nerve to ask Lauren out properly on a date after their business concluded.
The next morning, Ainslon woke refreshed and ready for whatever her day off had in store for her. After a quick shower, she dressed in a pair of jeans, a white tank top, and slipped on a pair of white Converses. Before she left her apartment, she fed Shady, and snatched her Wonder Woman ball cap off the hook by the door. On her way to her weekly visit to the park, she stopped at Brew and Bake for breakfast. As soon as she stepped inside, she thanked the universe when she spotted Lauren in line.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Ainslon said, walking up to Lauren.
Lauren turned slowly with a bright smile on her face. “What can I say, their coffee is addictive.”
“I know. I’ve asked Easton countless times how they do it, but she never tells me.”
“Easton?”
“My sister. She owns Brew and Bake.”
“I hadn’t realized.”
“I would introduce you, but she doesn’t work on Sundays.”
“Another time.”
“Of course.”
“Ainslon, the usual?” Alice asked from behind the counter.
“My usual coffee but add a couple banana nut muffins and chocolate chip cookies.” With coffee in hand, Lauren turned to leave.
“Lauren, wait.” Ainslon touched her forearm. “Would you like to join me at the park?” The invitation was spontaneous but worth it when Lauren smiled.
“I would like that.”
“Order up, Ainslon.” Alice placed her order on the counter.
Ainslon put her change in the tip jar and turned back to Lauren with her coffee and bag in hand.
“What do you usually do at the park?” Lauren asked.
“Nothing much. It’s a chance for me to unwind from the week. We’re closed on Sundays, and it gives Justin and me a chance to have a day to ourselves. We alternate Saturdays off.”
“You sure you want me to join you?”
“Yes. Did you drive? My Jeep is this way.”
“I walked.”
Once the Jeep was on the road, it only took a ten-minute drive until she pulled into the park. “Let’s see what this day has in store for us.”
Lauren grinned and walked beside her until Ainslon found an empty picnic table where they both sat. Today Lauren wore a pair of black shorts, and a blue t-shirt with a pair of sunglasses tucked into the v of her shirt. Her hair was put up, and she was the most gorgeous creature Ainslon had ever laid eyes on. It would be a struggle to keep her hands to herself today. “It’s a beautiful morning.” She handed Lauren a muffin.
“I agree.” Lauren picked up her coffee and took a sip but didn’t take her eyes off Ainslon. “I enjoyed last night.”
After swallowing a sip of coffee, Ainslon answered. “Me too. The growth Garriety has seen in the last five years alone is amazing. And I’m so glad they’ve decided to start cleaning up the communities around downtown.”
“It’s been a pleasure to watch the town expand. Not only business wise, but also culturally.”
Ainslon sipped her coffee. “When I moved back to the states with my nana and started school, I was afraid that my accent would make me stand out and I tried to hide it, but thankfully it made me stand out in a good way. It was certainly a culture clash coming to the United States, but Nana made it an easy transition for me. I have lived in the US more years than in Ireland, but I cannot shake my accent.”
“Thank God for that,” Lauren blurted out.
“Well, now.” Ainslon held up her coffee cup and waited for Lauren to lift hers. “Here’s to us. May we always be who we are and curse those that try and change us.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
Ainslon quickly added, “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
“I will also drink to that.”
“Nana is always spouting off some Irish proverb, but more times than I can count, her words have struck a chord with me.”
“Edna sounds like a character.”
“Th
at she is.”
“What’s another one?”
“Let’s see.” Ainslon bit her bottom lip. “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.”
“That’s…deep, but man, it’s wise words to live by. You know what that means, Ainslon?”
“What?”
“That today is going to be better than yesterday and I thought yesterday was great.”
Ainslon chuckled. “I think you might be right.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed a flyer stapled to a nearby tree. Then a lightbulb went off. “Oh, I forgot about that.”
Lauren looked around.
“Be right back.” Ainslon hopped up and ripped the flyer off the tree. Sundays in the park had started back the previous week.
Sundays’ adventures in the park.
Today’s adventure: Axe throwing.
Age 17 and up.
$15.00 for four throws.
Now this was something they could do.
“So, Lauren.” Ainslon held the flyer to her chest so Lauren couldn’t see the writing. “Up for an adventure with me?”
Lauren stood and approached her. “Adventure, huh?” She rocked back on her heels.
“F.U.N.”
“I suppose so,” she replied nonchalantly.
Ainslon held the flyer up and turned the printed side toward Lauren. She fidgeted as Lauren read the words. She couldn’t read the look on her face and hoped she hadn’t messed up.
“Well, since you paid for dinner last night, I’ll pay for our adventure.”
“Really?” At Lauren’s nod, Ainslon threw her arms around Lauren’s neck. She knew it was a mistake the moment she felt a rush of arousal from the fragrance of Lauren’s skin and perfume. She pulled away and took a step back. “So, axe throwing?”
Lauren chuckled. “After you.”
Fifteen minutes later, they stood side by side, watching the festivities in front of them. Easton had told her how popular these Sunday activities were and now she believed her. She usually stayed away from this part of the park, preferring to relax closer to the water feature at the entrance. It was easy to see why these events were so popular. A dozen stations, separated by fencing, along with as many vendors, stood out against the blue of the water and the green of the grass. A glance at her phone confirmed it wasn’t even ten yet and the place was swarming with people.
First Edition Romance Page 7