Page 12 of Finding Romance
“See,” she says as she points at her skirt.
“It’s a very good twirly skirt,” I state. I glance over to find Al watching me from the door to the stairwell.
I give him a little nod and walk Ava back to Hutch. He scoops her up and plops her back in his lap. She looks ridiculously small in his lap.
Kasen pushes a bowl of pretzels toward me. “You want some?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks.”
He frowns. “Not hungry?” he asks.
“I don’t really like pretzels,” I say with a shrug. I mean, there’s food I like less, but I’m just not a huge fan. I’d rather have something with flavor.
Kasen frowns, stands, and walks around the bar. He rifles through some cupboards and then opens the fridge. I watch with curiosity as he moves something and brings out a jar of spicy pickles. Setting them on the bar. He then pulls out some olives and celery. Before I know it, the man is making me a Bloody Mary complete with the vegetable works.
When he finishes, he pushes my mostly finished wineglass to the side and slides the alcoholic tomato juice concoction toward me. Now, I’m not a huge drinker, but this is up my alley.
I take a sip and groan. “That is really good,” I say as I pop an olive in my mouth.
“Try the pickle,” he demands. Normally, I don’t like to be bossed around, but I can tell he means well, so I comply. My eyes widen as I chew.
“Wow. That’s really good,” I say as I eat some more. I look at the jar on the counter but it’s not labeled.
“Al, she likes your pickles,” Hutch laughs.
Al strolls over from the door where he’s still silently watching us. He points to the greenhouse.
“I grow them in my garden,” he says.
“Can I see?” I ask because I love a good garden.
“Sure,” he replies as I pick up my drink.
I lean over the counter and kiss Kasen’s cheek. “Thank you,” I whisper.
I can feel him watching me as I turn and walk with Al across the rooftop to his small greenhouse.
Al explains everything he’s growing. “I’m winding down my summer harvest. But I’ll keep fresh herbs in here over the winter,” he explains.
“It’s really cool that you have this up here,” I say as I look at each neatly labeled plant.
“Edith wanted a garden,” he says wistfully.
“I bet she’d be happy that you’re taking care of it for her,” I reply as I remember his sweet wife who always made the best homemade chocolates at the holidays.
We leave the greenhouse and walk back over to the bar. I look up and find Kasen still watching me. He’s talking to Hutch and putting things away. But I can see his gaze following my movements.
You’re a real mystery, Kasen. And I sort of want to get to the bottom of it and figure you out. I should probably be applying for more jobs, but I also desperately need a distraction, and Kasen Saddler, whose last name I learned on his mailbox, is looking to be a very hot distraction.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kasen
The greatest part of this building is the amount of small nooks and crannies where one can be alone while also not being in their apartment. I turn to my two sea anemones.
“I’m going out. You two behave,” I say to them as if they understand or even acknowledge my existence. I look at Winston, one of my clownfish. He’s nuzzling Napoleon, poking his head in and out of the tentacles. Napoleon is a beadlet anemone. He’s feisty. That’s why I wanted him. My friends think I’m crazy for having such an obsession with a creature that seemingly doesn’t even know I exist, but I find them fascinating. From the first time I went diving, I was drawn to them. They are beautiful, fascinating creatures that are misunderstood by so many. I guess I relate to them in some strange way.
“Where’s Churchill?” I ask him, and as if on cue, the other clownfish appears from behind Ulysses, a snakelocks anemone. “You’re in charge, Churchill.”
