Gemini

When she came out, she flashed me a big smile showcasing her perfect teeth.

“Cedric, I am so, so sorry. Apparently, she left it in a green folder, but it was a different green folder in a different spot…anyway, I am really sorry for the mix-up.”

Allison handed me the card and our fingers brushed together, the feel of her skin sending a shiver down my spine and an awareness somewhere else. That was the first time I actually touched her.

“Please, don’t apologize, Allison. Sitting here enjoying this pie has seriously been the highlight of my day. And I should be apologizing to you for putting you through the trouble of having to look for it, when it was my asinine mistake, leaving it here.”

“Well, it all worked out, I guess.”

“It did,” I said.

Then, there was more tense silence, as I got lost in those gigantic green eyes.

“Allison, I hope you have a safe way of getting home tonight…it’s pretty late.”

“I actually usually walk to the train station with Max, but…wait, what time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Crap,” she said.

“What…what’s wrong?” I asked.

“The last commuter train left at 11:20. It’s 11:25. I missed it,” she said sighing.

“Well, it’s obviously my fault. Please let me drive you home. Where do you live?”

This was too good to be true.

“I live in Malden. It’s about a half hour drive from here. Are you sure? I could call a cab.”

“No way. You are here because of me and it’s actually right on my way home. I live in the city.”

“I figured that.”

“You figured I lived in the city…how so?” I asked with a curious gaze, not able to take my eyes off her swollen lips.

“Well, you’re always so well-dressed, like a businessman from Boston, I guess. I mean…uh…I remember the first time you came in,” Allison said shyly.

Shit. Ok, so she remembered me as ‘tip guy’.

I had to think quickly and then lied. “Yeah, I have a client up this way which is why I’ve stopped in before.”

Allison searched her bag for the key. “Ready to go?” she asked.

“Absolutely.”

Absofuckinglutely.

I walked out first, watching her shut the light, lock the diner door and check it a few times. I disarmed the car and stopped at the passenger side to let her in.

Her smile was mesmerizing as she stepped into the passenger seat and I gently closed the door, wondering again how I got so damn lucky.

CHAPTER 7

ALLISON

Holy shit. Is this really happening?

Cedric opened the driver’s side door, turned on the heated seats and started the car. He smelled so incredibly good, I swear, I could die happy right here in this seat, intoxicated by his scent. It was a mix of musk, sandalwood and leather in here.

He is so damn hot, dare I say the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on. Just like I remembered, but with even more of a five o’clock shadow on his chin, which made him even sexier. There was a roughness about him that directly contradicted the business attire.