him.
“I’ve joined my father’s grocery store. Got big plans to expand it and make it into a supermarket chain.”
“That would be awesome. People need that around here. I’m sure you’ll do well,” she told him.
“I’ll do better if you gave me some time. Come on, can’t you spare one dinner for an old friend?” he urged.
They’d been more than that. She lost her virginity to him, and there were some underlying emotions simmering in there. But somehow, she never felt the need to be with him. When she looked at him, she saw a guy who belonged to her past. He didn’t have a place in her present. Although she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, Paige didn’t think it was fair to lead him on. “I’m really busy, Zack, but thanks for the offer.”
“Ah! Still a heartbreaker, aren’t you?” He waved a hand and disappeared in the crowd.
Strange that he should say that. She never thought of herself as someone who broke hearts. More often than not, her male friends told her about their girlfriends and cried on her shoulder. He was probably just being nice. When she looked at Lando, he was frowning.
“Your old boyfriend?” Lando asked.
“We dated way back in high school.” She expelled a deep breath. “God, that seems like it was eons ago.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “A man can tell these things. He’s carrying a torch for you.”
“No woman has ever carried a torch for you?”
He smiled at her as if she was a puzzle he would like to solve. “If I broke up with you, I would carry a torch for you…forever.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. His voice was low and throaty and had the potential to make her blood pressure rise. For the umpteenth time, she wondered what it was about that man that he could make her feel all sweaty and hot with just a look. Mandy chose that moment to bring their food, and Paige thanked her lucky stars. If he stared at her in that peculiar way for long, she might be in danger of throwing herself on him.
When Mandy left, Paige picked up her knife and fork. It was safer to hold something in her hands, rather than leaping across the table and grabbing him. “So do you like American food or do you miss Spanish cuisine?”
“I’ll pretty much eat anything,” he admitted with a smile.
“Don’t say that in front of my mother; she might die from the shock of that statement.” Since she felt the same way about food, she was a pleasantly surprised. “She cooks some of the most delicious cuisine I’ve ever tasted.” She smacked her lips together at the thought of her mother’s great cooking and much to her delight, Lando chuckled at her antics.
“I totally enjoy eating if it’s there and someone else is willing to make the effort,” he assured her. “But for the life of me, I can only get by with the basic stuff like mac and cheese and TV dinners. I heard Juston is also a great cook.”
“Oh, he is, and when he cooks with my mother…Oh. My. God.” Paige was practically salivating. “You have to experience it for yourself. They’re cooking the food for Cullen’s wedding themselves. I told them it was crazy, but my mom and Juston are actually excited about the idea. They love it.” Paige took a sip of her beer. “I hope all goes well. If there’s even a tiny mistake, they’ll go nuts.” She dug into her food and was happy to see that Lando seemed to enjoy his steak.
“When is the wedding?” he asked.
“Only a month away. Good for us that Cullen is pretty much fuss free. Her gown was picked without a problem, as were her shoes and everything else she needed.” Paige chuckled. It’s Shayne who is going nuts making lists and organizing stuff. I don’t think Cullen cares where she gets married. Even if you put her in a barn in her jeans, she’ll be happy as long Graeme is standing beside her.”
“That’s true love,” he said. “They look good together. And, of course, Juston and Shayne also seem…very good for each other. Don’t
John Steinbeck, Richard Astro