Page 45 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“Look at your ripped shoulders.” Emma straightened the collar of my black cap sleeve shirt. “If you don’t get lucky tonight, Robyn’s blind.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” I glared at Emma to emphasize my point.

“Oh, stop being indignant. I was teasing. You look incredible.”

“Thanks.” I twirled around and looked over my shoulder at the mirror. “Are you certain I should wear these jeans? White makes my ass look bigger.”

Emma slapped my butt. “Hard as a rock. I think Robyn will appreciate the curve.”

“You mean the bubble.”

“Seriously? I don’t think I’d call you a bubble butt.”

“Maybe not to my face,” I teased.

“You’re an idiot.” Emma stood facing me and put one hand on each of my shoulders. She looked into my eyes. “You deserve this, Blake. Go. Have fun. Let Robyn in. See where this might go.”

My chest tightened. “But this is our first date.”

“I didn’t say you had to marry her.” Emma hesitated and then said, “Yet.”

Ugh. She was killing me. My insides were already churning without Emma making it worse.

“I’m giving you shit,” Emma said. “Relax. Enjoy yourself.”

I nodded.

“Now give me a hug and get out of here.”

I wrapped my arms around Emma and squeezed. I held her for a long time, trying to convey how much I appreciated her.

When we broke our embrace, both of our eyes were misty.

“Fucking estrogen in the air,” I said. “Do you think Vera has it pumped into the villas?”

Emma shook her head. “Crop duster.”

We both burst out laughing.

I’d had to walk the gauntlet on my way to the truck.

Aka, I had to go past our friends gathered on the front patio.

I endured all their catcalls, doing my best to ignore them.

As I stepped down the last step, I saw Dana coming toward the villa.

I considered hurrying off, hoping she wouldn’t see me, but that wouldn’t be fair.

“Hey,” I said casually as I met her on the path.

“Hey yourself,” Dana said. She looked me up and down. “Turn around.”

Without thinking, I did. Then I felt self-conscious. I didn’t want to flirt with her or have her flirt with me any longer. Ugh. I couldn’t consider what that meant.

When I met Dana’s gaze, she said, “Robyn will like what she sees.” There was no leering or innuendo in her tone.

“Uh, thanks,” I stammered.

“Relax. I know when I’m outmatched.” Dana winked. “You’ve got it bad, my friend.” She clapped her hand on my shoulder. It was reminiscent of how a buddy would touch me, not someone trying to seduce me.

It made me smile. This time, I found my voice. “Thanks. Ya know, I like this version of you.”

“Ya mean the one not hiding behind the mask?”

“Yeah.” I grinned. “I think we might become friends.”

“Aw, shucks, did you just ask me to be your friend?”

I laughed. “When you put it that way, it sounds stupid.”

“Just giving you shit.” Dana smiled. “Um, do you think we can forget that me trying to get into your pants thing?”

“If we can forget that me shoving you against the side of the shed thing.”

Dana laughed. “Deal.”

We bumped fists before I made my way toward the pickup.

Wow. This place was getting under my skin. Two weeks ago, if Emma told me I’d be happy not getting into Dana’s pants, I would have laughed at her. Instead, I headed toward my pickup truck to go on a date with the girl next door. Unbelievable.

The girl next door’s face flashed through my mind, and I realized there was nothing ordinary about her.

Her penetrating brown eyes, so full of intelligence, were alluring, even with the crow’s feet beginning to form in the corners.

But it was more than her looks. It was the way she carried herself.

The way she moved. A mixture of confidence and strength, with a hint of feminine vulnerability.

Even though I knew she could take care of herself, I sought to protect the soft side of her, while I wanted—no, I needed—her strength.

I arrived at the truck and climbed in. Just sitting behind the wheel, I felt badass. I wished I could get one when I returned to the city, but it wasn’t practical. The thought of returning to the city sobered me. No, tonight I wouldn’t think of it. Tonight, I wanted to immerse myself in Robyn.

My heart raced when I pulled up in front of Robyn’s bookstore.

When Robyn stepped out, my breath caught.

She wore a casual beige linen dress that came to mid-thigh.

Her sleeves were short, like mine, but unlike my shirt, her neckline plunged.

A tiny gemstone laid against her tanned chest and seemed to point to her cleavage.

Her signature tousled hair was a little more tamed but barely.

I jumped from the truck and hurried toward her. “Wow, you look amazing.”

She smiled. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

I smiled back, self-conscious. I put my hand on her elbow and led her toward the truck. Upon arriving, I opened the door and held out my hand, so she could step up.

“Chivalry isn’t dead,” she said with a smile.

“Uh, does this bother you? I mean, if it does, I can back off.”

Robyn squeezed my hand. “I think it’s sweet.”

The restaurant she’d picked had been amazing. They served sushi to rival the best I’d had in the city. We’d talked and laughed, keeping our conversation light. I fought against getting too comfortable. We still needed to talk, but I would enjoy the moment while I could.

After our meal, we’d planned on taking a walk around Lake Mendota, and Robyn had asked if Millie could tag along. Robyn promised Millie wouldn’t get into any arguments with ducks, but I doubted she had that kind of power over her. Even so, I readily agreed.

By the time we hit the trails, it wasn’t quite eight, so we had an hour of light. I couldn’t help but sneak looks at Robyn as we walked. Her tan legs were a definite distraction.

Robyn laughed. “Don’t think I don’t notice you checking out my legs.”

My face heated, but not to be thrown entirely off balance, I responded, “Just like you’ve been checking out my ass.” I wiggled it for effect.

“I might have taken a little peek.” Robyn stopped and made no secret of checking out my backside. “Tell Emma I approve of the jeans.”

“Emma. How did you know?”

Robyn laughed. “I didn’t. At least, not for certain, but I sensed Emma’s influence.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Now you have to explain.”

“You like to wear dark colors. Hides your curves, so I’m betting Emma had to convince you to wear them.”

I considered protesting or denying it, yet I wanted to be truthful. “I refuse to answer.”

“On what grounds?” Robyn’s tone was teasing.

“That I’ll incriminate myself.”

“That’s what I thought.” Robyn grinned and started walking again.

Millie was more than ready to get moving and pulled against Robyn.

I noticed the muscles in Robyn’s forearms straining. “Do you want me to take her for a while?”

“You want to walk Millie?”

“I’m thinking she’ll walk me, but it looks like you could use a break.”

“If you don’t mind.”

I steeled myself as Robyn passed me the lead. Millie must have sensed fresh blood because she pulled hard, almost forcing me to follow after her.

“Millie, be nice,” Robyn said in a stern voice.

Millie stopped pulling and looked over her shoulder at me. I swear she was laughing.

“Do you have any pets?”

“No. I mean, not anymore. When we were kids, we had pets, but not as an adult.”

“Why not?”

“Too busy.” I noticed Robyn give me a side eye, so I held up my hand. “That’s not meant as a negative. With my schedule, I didn’t think it would be fair to a pet. Even a cat. I’m gone long hours and away on business a lot.”

“That makes sense.” She smiled at Millie. “I couldn’t imagine life without one.”

My mind flashed to the item I’d crossed off my list so many years ago. I’d wanted a pet. “So you’ve always had them?”

A sad smile settled on Robyn’s face. “Yeah. Being an only child, they were kinda like my siblings.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you didn’t have any brothers or sisters.” My response wasn’t astute, but how should I respond to her sadness? “I mean, it seems to bother you.”

“You’re getting kind of good at this emotion thing. Yeah, I guess it makes me sad. I watch you and Emma, and I’m envious.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just kinda nice you always have someone that has your back.”

I nodded. Millie stopped to sniff a leaf, so I slowed. “I’d never considered that. I guess I’ve taken it for granted. But you’re right, I’ve always known Em would be there.”

“Comforting, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. What about your parents?”

“They’ve both passed, so it’s just me now.” Robyn stared out at Lake Mendota.

I struggled to find words.

“I’ve got Vera.” Robyn put her hand on my arm. “Don’t look so worried about me. I’m just having a moment.” Robyn smiled and pointed toward the sun, which was sinking toward the horizon. “We should turn around, so we’re not out after dark.”

“Is it dangerous?”

Robyn laughed. “No, but Millie doesn’t see well. She’ll trip over things.”

I glanced at Millie, who was happily trotting in front of us. “Are you serious?”

“I am. She’s got night blindness.”

I looked at Robyn out of the corner of my eye.

“Honest. Google it. It’s a thing.”

“Okay, I believe you.”

“We need to talk when we get back to my apartment,” Robyn said.

“Um, we can go farther. I can carry Millie.”

“Nice try.” Robyn smiled. “Plus, I’m getting a little chilly.” Robyn held up her arm, which was covered in goose bumps.

I lifted my free arm. “May I?”

She moved closer to me, so I could put my arm over her shoulder. “Um, that’s nice,” she said as she nestled against me.

We made it back to Robyn’s apartment with no mishaps, aka Millie tripping over anything. After a rocky start, Millie had taken to my commands and behaved in exemplary fashion. It might have been silly, but pride welled in me when Robyn complimented how well she’d responded to me. Omen?

I shook those thoughts from my head. Our first date, and we were about to have the talk. Which meant it could be our last date.