Page 76 of Close Match

“Long intimate walks down the aisles of Target. My perfect date.” I smile winningly at Monty, who looks like he’s ready to weave the hair accessories together to form a noose.

“So, El Tio was a bust, but hair accessories does it for you?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” I laugh at the disgruntled look on his face. “This is just more fun.”

“Says you.”

“Says any woman who doesn’t have easy access to one of the greatest stores ever created.”

He stops dead in his tracks, rattling together some of the items in our cart. We came in for hair products for Lorrie, and somehow, we’ve almost managed to fill a cart. “I don’t understand. You live near Saks, yet Target is the greatest store in the world?”

“Listen, at one time it was possible to get McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier at Target. It is, however, not, possible to get Kind bars, Starbucks, and Goody hair ties at Saks,” I declare triumphantly.

Monty opens and closes his mouth repeatedly before throwing up his hands. I’m about to launch into a more man-friendly explanation when I see the mecca of all Target shoppers.

The end cap. The sale items of all sale items. It calls to me like diamonds call to some women.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say faintly.

“Linnie? Are you okay?”

“I…I don’t know yet. Give me a moment…holy shit! They have Essie nail polish on sale! Bring the cart, Monty! Quick!”

He approaches me slowly. “I’m scared. I’m telling you this because I want you to know if I go running out to the car in fear and leave you stranded, I need to make sure you have Ev’s number so you can get back to the house.”

Rolling my eyes, I stomp over and snatch the cart out of his hands. “Stop being such a man and get your ass over here. They only have six left.”

“Only six. Right.”

After I precariously pile the nail polish in the cart, I let out a sigh of happiness. “This is the best date ever.”

“Well, if that’s the case…” He pulls me to him and wraps his arms around me before lowering his lips down onto mine.

I’ve never kissed a man while laughing. We’re grinning into each other’s mouths so huge we can’t even do it right. But just like this date, it’s fantastic. I shove to the back of my mind the margarita Monty drank with dinner. He’s a big enough guy that by the time we’re done shopping he should be good to drive. The taste of Mexican on him is delicious though.

Echoing some of my thoughts, he whispers, “I’ve never laughed during a kiss.”

“Me neither.”

Putting another gentle one across my lips, he breathes against my lips. “There’s another sale rack two aisles over. Go for it, baby.”

My heartbeat picks up in anticipation. I’m just not sure if that’s because of what Monty said or what he did.

After all, accepting me for being me is a pretty huge deal.

Forty-Two

Montague

Long after we get home, I step out onto the balcony off my deck. Only wanting a breath of fresh air, I didn’t expect to hear the deep breathing of someone trying to rein in their emotions.

Leaning over the edge, I call out, “Linnie, are you okay?”

There’s a muffled gasp in the dark. “I’m here if you want to talk,” I offer. “Sometimes, it helps to get things out.” And maybe one day I should listen to my own advice. I shove the thought aside.

“Is that personal experience talking?”

I admit, “Yeah.”