Charlie Forever In Time (pdf)

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tion. Confused, she immediately looked away. If she didn t know bet-
ter, she d say that she had met him before; something about his eyes
seemed strangely familiar.
Uh, yeah. It was my lunch, but I think it s passed its prime now.
She took the bagel from him and deposited it in the garbage, carefully
avoiding his gaze.
Your lunch? At two-thirty?
It s been a busy day. She offered by way of an explanation shrug-
ging and looking slightly to the left of his shoulder rather than directly at
him. Something about this man made her nervous& Or was it excite-
ment? She wasn t sure what to call it, but the feeling was unfamiliar.
Pasting on her professional facade, she addressed him. How may I help
you?
I was wondering how much you charge for a dozen daisies.
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Daisies? Not roses? She darted a glance at him and found that he
was staring at her, a faint trace of amusement evident on his lips.
That s right. She s partial to daisies.
So am I. Stephanie smiled and reached for the order pad. Gerber
daisies or
Just plain white Shastas. He answered before she could even finish
the question.
With a vase or without?
I m sure she has lots of vases already.
Stephanie nodded, busily writing down the particulars. Delivered or
would you be picking them up?
I m not sure.
Oh& Well when would you want them by?
I m not sure of that either.
She looked up at him and raised her eyebrows.
He grinned sheepishly. I haven t asked her out yet, so I don t know if
it will be today or tomorrow.
Stephanie set the pen down and tried to hide her exasperation. It had
been a busy day. Her lunch such as it was was now in the garbage.
She didn t feel like playing games. Well when you find out, let me
know and I ll give you a price. There s a five percent discount on pre-or-
ders of more than two days.
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Good to know. He nodded. So, will you go out to dinner with
me?
I beg your pardon? His sudden change of topic had her staring at
him in confusion.
Will you go out to dinner with me? I need to know so I can order the
daisies. He gave her a wide friendly smile, the corners of his eyes crink-
ling slightly.
You want to go out to dinner? With me? Even though she knew she
was repeating his question and probably sounded like an idiot, she
wanted clarification. Strange men didn t just come walking up to her
and asking her out every day.
I caused you to ruin your lunch. It s the least I can do. He leaned
casually against the counter, watching her reaction and patiently waiting
for her answer.
Oh, no& That s not necessary& It was mostly my fault. She
knew she was stumbling over her words. Okay, it was a sympathy date;
she could understand that. He felt sorry for her and slightly responsible
for her lost lunch. She d reassure him. He d feel he d done his duty and
be on his way taking with him the strange feeling that was coming to life
inside her. The coffee was cold and the bagel was a bit stale anyway.
I d still like to make it up to you.
But it was only a bagel! His insistence was making her feel almost
panicky. Men didn t go out of their way to make a date with her! She d
given him an out. Why wasn t he taking it?
Well, would it make you feel better if I took you out for a coffee and a
bagel then? You know the old saying: An eye for an eye, a bagel for a
bagel.
33
Despite herself she laughed and found herself actually looking at him,
her earlier wariness temporarily pushed aside. It would make more
sense. But I really can t
Of course you can, Stephanie! Paula suddenly appeared from the
backroom, where no doubt she d been observing the whole incident.
I ll watch the store. You go and eat.
But Stephanie sputtered in protest.
Paula smiled at the man. Just a minute. She yanked Stephanie a few
feet over by the display of stuffed animals and balloons that could be
purchased to go with floral arrangements. Stephanie, I know you tend
to be cautious and I know why. I respect your feelings. But this is just a
bagel in a public restaurant, with lots of other people around. There s no
need to worry. Besides that, he s gorgeous!
But
No more buts. If you don t eat, you get grumpy and I don t want a
grumpy boss. Now go! She took Stephanie by the shoulders and
pushed her towards the door. She s ready. Paula called to the man
who was watching the interaction between the two of them with obvious
interest. Out of the corner of her eye, Stephanie noticed the dark haired
man winking at her friend. She opened her mouth to protest, but found
herself being gently propelled out the door and down the sidewalk.
What was that all about? She looked at her companion suspiciously.
What was what about?
Paula winked at you!
Really? Maybe she had something in her eye. He opened the door
to the donut shop that was just three doors down from Fields of
34
Flowers. Stephanie entered and allowed herself to be led up to the
counter.
Hey Steph! The usual? Medium coffee, two creams, two sugars, and
a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with butter? Mandy Smyth was work-
ing behind the counter today. She was in high school and lived across
the street and two doors down.
Stephanie nodded. The gentleman beside her added, And I ll have a
large, black.
Sure. Mandy s eyes darted from Stephanie to the man beside her
and smiled before filling their order. Stephanie groaned inwardly.
Mandy was a nice kid, but she loved to gossip. Now everyone would
know she was having coffee with someone. Well, there was nothing she [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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