Chapter 29

 

 

 

Luke

 

 

I’m a firm believer in fate. It’s played a part in my life over and over again.

Fate brought Chloe and her mom, Irena, into our lives after my mom died. Irena became my mom in every way. I called her Mom, and the tattoos on my chest in honor of her and my birth mom remind me of the strong women who brought me into this world and raised me.

Fate has put me in the right place at the right time to save several lives.

Now, destiny has wielded its serendipitous hand again and dropped me in Afton’s path. It took me to that church on her wedding day, and this morning it took me to Wild Lilac to buy a bouquet of roses for her.

Just as I was leaving the shop, I noticed the most striking woman on this planet across the street headed into a fast food place.

I got a glimpse of her face when I saw her hold the door open for a gray-haired couple behind her. They must have thanked her because she smiled, and it was enough to send me across the street in pursuit of her.

The fucking traffic kept me on the sidewalk until the light changed, but from there, it was a sprint.

Now, I’m standing inside the busy restaurant staring at her.

She’s wearing a pink sundress and flip-flops. A large red tote bag is hanging from her shoulder. She’s the definition of beautiful inside and outside.

I’ve seen flashes of her heart and witnessed her kindness first-hand.

I’m a lucky son-of-a-bitch who isn’t about to waste a chance to spend time with her.

She takes the first step toward me with a smile that could warm the coldest heart.

“Luke,” she says my name with the same joy that’s always in her voice. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”

“I was on my way to your place when I spotted you and Joel.” I raise a hand to wave to her brother-in-law.

He does the same in return before he turns his attention back to a woman who works here.

“You were?” Surprise taints her tone as her gaze drifts over the bouquet in my hands.

I’ve never given flowers to a woman before other than my mom and Marti. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but I never felt the need to do it. With Afton, it’s different. I want to put a smile on her face however I can.

Flowers. A fuck. Forever.

I shake off that last thought because neither of us is in a place to see that far ahead. We were both tied up with others for long periods of time. There’s supposed to be a period of adjustment when relationships like that end. At least, that’s the advice that pretty much everyone doles out after a breakup.

“I wanted to give you these.” I shove the flowers toward her with pride. I can only hope this offering erases the last one from her mind. The bodega flowers were still on display on her table last night with most of the petals strewn around the base of the vase.

Her gaze drops to the flowers as she gingerly takes them. “These are for me? They’re gorgeous, Luke.”

If that’s how she defines gorgeous, she hasn’t bothered to look in the mirror today.

I tell her as much. “You’re gorgeous.”

Her eyes dart to mine. “You are.”

I can’t hold back the smile because I’ve never received a more wanted compliment than that. I know I’m easy on the eyes. I don’t lack confidence in that department or any other, but hearing it from Afton feels good.

“Do you come here often?” I go for the cheesy line because it fits the situation.

I didn’t expect to see her in a place like this.

Her eyebrows perk. “Their breakfast sandwiches are one of my guilty pleasures.”

My curiosity peaks. “One of your guilty pleasures? What are the others?”

Her top teeth scrape over her bottom lip. “That’s a secret list.”

I want on it. Hell, I want to hold the number one position on it.

Pursing my lips, I stare her down. “Give me a hint. Tell me one.”

“Flowers,” she says with a chuckle wrapped around her tone. “I sometimes buy myself flowers. That’s a guilty pleasure.”

That’s not what I hoped to hear. I wanted some insight into what her body craves because I’m damn sure I can satisfy her in every possible way.

“Hey, you! Lady in the pink dress!” A man’s voice rises above the hum of noise surrounding us. “Your order is up.”

I glance at the counter and the tray of food. “You’re hungry.”

She laughs that off. “It’s for Joel and me. Do you want something?”

You.

I plan to tell her that again today, but I stick to the posted menu for now. I scan it. “I’m going to grab a breakfast burrito and a coffee. I’ll bring your order to that table in the corner with mine.”

She looks at the lone vacant table in the place. “Thank you.”

I might have to share her with Joel for the next hour, but with any luck, she’ll be all mine for the rest of the day and night.