Page 29 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

When I groan, he bursts out laughing.

“What do you want to do while your dad is out…working, Scarlett?”

Their conversation fades to the background as my phone buzzes again.

Cat:

How is Maple Grove Park?

I’m going to stop for a cup of tea at the coffee shop close by, do you want anything?

David:

Tea sounds like a great idea.

Why don’t I meet you at the shop at six?

Cat:

Great! See you then.

Oh! Take a picture of Scarlett and Emmy for me.

My lip lifts at the corner, and a strange lightness fills me before that heavy ache returns.

Why do feelings have to be so complicated?

Chapter Twelve

Cat

Pullingintoaparkingspace across the street from The Bleacher Bean, I kill the engine. Checking the clock, I see it’s five until six. Wiping my hands against my pants, I chew on my bottom lip.

After my conversation with Finn, I’m even more intrigued by David. The kind, considerate boy of my childhood memories has grown into a man that any woman would die to call their own. But therein lies the problem.

My job, literal job, is to let the Smokies fanbase see how amazing he is. My job doesn’t include falling for him.

Mentally, I’m very clear this meeting is strictly business, but my heart, judging by the way it’s racing, isn’t getting the message.

Swallowing hard, I blow out a slow breath and attempt to calm my rapid pulse.

A steel gray Ford F-150 parks across the street. Recognizing it’s David’s, my pulse accelerates. Taking one more deep breath,I open the car door and step out on the street. “David!” I wave when he glances in my direction.

A lopsided grin slides across his face, and my heart beats impossibly faster.

“If you don’t relax, you’re gonna have a heart attack,” I mumble, looking left to right before crossing the street to meet him in front of the coffee shop entrance.

“Hey,” he beams, and I feel my knees buckle. This man is ridiculously handsome and apparently dangerous where my emotions are concerned.

Pull it together, girl. Remember what you’re here for. Wait, is that a dimple? How could I forget he had a dimple?

“Hey,” I say softly, smiling back. “Have you seenTea Time?”

Wait? What? I slam my palm into my forehead.

David’s eyes widen just as a delicious-sounding laugh bursts from him. It’s the same cadence from when we were younger, but deeper. “I forgot how you would just blurt things out when you’re nervous.”

“Nervous?” I spit out quickly. “I’m not nervous. I’ve just never been the focus of a gossip column before. Have you?”

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