There I was, minding my own business, lost in a book, sipping my chocolate shake, at my favorite cafe, enjoying the sun beating gently down on my face and arms, oblivious to anything else when a single red rose plopped down in front of me. Startled out of the world my book had crafted for me, I struggled to orient myself.
Glancing around I didn’t see anyone near me and no one was looking in my direction. Apparently the silly flower had decided on its own to remove itself from a rose bush and jump into my lap.
I think not.
I stood up, already irritated that I had been so thoroughly interrupted from my reading that I was determined to figure out who had done it.
As I pushed away from the table, another rose almost whacked me in the face. I kept my eye on where I had seen the flower emerge from and stomped over. Whoever was throwing rose missiles was going to get a lecture about personal space! I didn’t slow down as I rounded the large bush the hooligan was hiding behind, full of self-righteous fury and bravado.
I should have slowed down.
Yet I hadn’t and I paid the consequences when I ran full-on into a man who was all broad muscle-y shoulders and bulging arms to match. It wasn’t until after I backed up a step that I was able to focus on his face. A handsome chiseled face, at that. Next, I noticed that he wasn’t holding any red roses so I quickly crossed him off my lecture list and looked around for the culprit.
I didn’t have to look far, or very high for that matter. Standing next to the man who was currently making my insides blush deeper than my face, was an adorable little boy holding a beaten and tired looking bouquet of roses. I think my mouth must have dropped open at that point but I have no recollection of it.
All I knew was that I couldn’t chastise this 3 year old about throwing flowers. The man with him though was now fair game. I turned back to him and glared. At least I attempted to glare. His chagrined smile was having a huge dampening effect on my ire.
“Yours?” I asked, in as friendly a tone as I could manage. After all, there were children present.
“Only for about ten more minutes.” The man pulled the boy behind him.
I had to pause on that phrase. “What happens in ten minutes?” Apparently my curiosity was stronger than my indignation.
“His parents take him back.” He went back to scanning the parking lot.
“Babysitting?”
His nod confirmed it and my frustration further fizzled. Time to go back to my book. “You might want to keep him from throwing any more of those flowers before they are all gone.”
I didn’t stay to find out what the man did or said in response. He was too disconcertingly attractive to stand near and avoid staring. So I would consider my retreat to have been a wise precaution of self preservation…of my dignity.
Plopping back down into my seat I took a long slow sip of my shake before opening up my book to read once more.
I was again lost in my book when I was once again startled from the story. This time someone was stealing my rose! I had earned it. Immediately I dropped my book and made a grab for the rose, only to discover Mr Gorgeous Babysitter sitting in the seat across from me. With my rose.
The kid was conspicuously absent from his side.
“Why are you stealing my rose?”
His smile caught me by surprise. He slowly offered the flower back to me. “I couldn’t think of another way to get your attention. And since I didn’t know your name and you didn’t notice when I sat down, I had to think of something.”
I nodded. “Sorry. I get that way when I’m reading.”
He shook his head. “There’s no need for you to apologize. In fact, that is why I am here. After what you said to me a few minutes ago Jordan confessed to throwing roses at you. I am sorry he did it and I am even more sorry I didn’t see him do it so that I could have stopped him from terrorizing you.” He laid his hand softly over mine.
If he was trying to keep my attention on him he didn’t have to hold my hand, I was already riveted but my pulse skittered in appreciation. I did not remove my hand.
“Care to make it up to me?” I blurted before I could think through what I was saying.
That devastating smile flashed back to his face. “Indeed I would. Would dinner and a stroll through the park be a sufficient apology or would I need to arrange several…” he paused for a moment to capture my eyes with his. “…apologies?”
Since nodding seemed anticlimactic to his suggestion I forced myself to respond with more than just a dumbfounded ‘uh huh’.
“As of right now, I don’t know if one will be enough.” I set my book down and leaned back, purposefully looking around at nothing in particular so I wouldn’t go all starry-eyed at him.
He held out his hand and I took it. When his other hand closed over the top of our hands I felt my heart stutter wildly.
“It is a pleasure to meet you….”
“Tahlia.” I gulped.
He leaned in slightly. “Well Tahlia, as sorry as I am that Jordan interrupted your reading I must say that I don’t regret it happening. Would you care for a walk now and then we can find dinner later or did you already have plans for tonight?”
“Now is good.” I moved to start packing up my things.
He stood and bowed slightly. “Oh and Tahlia?”
“Hmm?” I looked up into his stormy blue eyes and fought not to get lost.
“I’m Scott.”
