Page 40 of From Nowhere

“I have one of those new inventions,” Ozzy says. “It’s a phone I can take with me so that I can be reached anytime. It’s called a mobile or cellular phone.”

“Don’t be an ass. I was just starting to like you.”

“Just? Wow. I thought we had a connection beforejust.”

“I thought so, too, but then you ghosted me for days.”

“Perhaps it seemed like that, but I was thoroughly thinking about you.”

I take the stickers off the water and food bowls. “Thoroughlysounds a little invasive.”

“Not invasive. Just thorough. I was thinking about all of you in every way. Wait. That sounds creepy.”

I’m so glad he can’t see my red cheeks. “Ozzy, you’re my favorite creep.”

“Don’t say that. I need a better word.”

“Too late. I’m sticking with creep. See you at twenty-two hundred.” I end the call before he can continue to plead his I’m Not a Creep case.

“All right, little Bandit.” I transfer him from the cardboard box to the litter box. “You do your duties while I wash out your new bowls.”

He meows, which I interpret as an “okay.” We’re off to a great start, as long as Will’s not dead from anaphylactic shock.

I arrive at the bar a few minutes early, and to my surprise, Ozzy’s already in a booth with a beer, a plate of nachos, and purple flowers. This time, they have a delicate white ribbon around them.

“Breathe,” I whisper on my way to the booth. Everything flutters to life from my chest to my tummy when I’m with him. “I don’t eat after eight,” I say, sliding into the opposite side of the booth, taking in Ozzy’s messy but sexy hair and beaming white smile.

He’s trimmed his beard since I saw him this afternoon. It’s sexy too.

“Are these for me?” I pick up the six-stemmed bouquet of purple flowers. “Do you have all these wildflowers in your yard?”

“I cannot reveal my sources.” He winks while I read the note.

Shooting stars are pollinated by bees using sonication to release pollen from the flower’s anthers. Hope you love them!

Ozzy x

“I do love them,” I whisper, blushing because he’s so sweet and innocent, yet sexy beyond words.

My out-of-control mind imagines kissing him, sliding his white T-shirt over his head, and slowly unbuttoning his dark blue jeans. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had sex.

“What can I get you to drink?” he asks.

“Pinot noir.”

Ozzy nods and makes his way to the bar. I feel like such a guy when he turns just before the counter, catching me staring at his ass. I quickly shift my attention to the nachos and toss a chip into my mouth.

When he returns with my wine, I catch his scent of bourbon and oak.

I’m in trouble.

“Thought you didn’t eat after eight,” he says.

“I’m not eating. I’m sneaking a few chips.” I nod to my glass of wine while shrugging off my jacket. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” As he sips his beer, he narrows his eyes. “What happened?”

I glance down at my blue blouse. Please don’t let there be food on it. I just want to be with this manandput together at least once. No coffee spills. No cookies stuck to my shirt. No begging for tampons.

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