Page 11 of Love Triangle
“Wow, that might just have been the corniest pickup line I’ve ever heard.”
“Well, you recognized it as a pickup line, so it didn’t fail entirely.” I watch as a blush blooms on her round cheeks and I grin. “Did it fail? Or may I call you sometime?”
With the last question I pause outside the doorway, my voice taking on a serious tone. I know it’s a weird time to ask her out but it just kind of came on naturally and, well, I shot my shot.
“I…things are complicated with me, Trig.” Her shoulders slump and she frowns.
“Are you spoken for, then? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to butt into your relationship.”
“No, it’s just that I have some weird, um, we’ll just say baggage for now.”
“Oh. Don’t we all?” I take the edge of her apron, futz with the fabric, and wait until she looks into my eyes. “Crystal, if you’re not interested in me romantically, you can tell me now and I’ll never bother you again, I swear. I’m not one of those creeps who pressure women, okay? But if you’re turning me down because you’ve got some issues, then I think you should reconsider. I can handle a lot and if you have boundaries, I’ll respect them. Trust me. I just really like you, and I think you like me too, and it would be a shame if we never got a chance to even try things out, that’s all.”
Crystal’s breath hitches before she lets it out. She shakes her head and fans her face with her hand.
“Alright. One date, okay? We see how it goes. Tomorrow. We’ll go for an early afternoon picnic in the woods behind my house. My big, very protective dog will be there, as well as my security cameras and other security measures I’m keeping secret.” The stern look she gives me tells me I better nod back seriously without laughing or taking offense, so I do. She gets out her phone and I get out mine. “Here’s my number. Text me later and we’ll exchange details. My new employee must be going nuts without me right now, so I gotta be getting back inside.”
I follow her in, the world’s biggest grin on my face. I take my seat and daydream about how our date will go and don’t even notice when Cliff first enters the room.
Chapter Fifteen – Cliff
I linger in the shadows, waiting for Crystal to return to the shop. Her employee may well be a fine server, but I must have the same waitress every day and Crystal is that person. It doesn’t hurt that I also want to put her over the counter, tug down those little pink shorts, and-
“One date, okay?” I hear her say toTrig.
I barely listen to the rest of what they say other than to confirm that yes, they are going out together.This is madness. Trig of all people! Yes, he’s handsome and kind, but he’sTrig.
The wind rustles my hair as it blows toward the entrance to the pie shop. My jaw is hanging open in disbelief, but I snap it closed. She promised himonedate. That means she’s free after that. I follow the wind to the door of the shop and enter.
“Well, hi there, Cliff! I kept your regular table free for you and made sure to save a slice of apple just in case,” Crystal says with a nod of her head in the direction of said table.
“Thank you, Crystal. I will take that apple pie, indeed.”Fuck, she’s such a good girl.
Smoothing out my wind-blown hair, I follow her to my table. Yes, I’ve already come to think of it asmytable and it seems she’s come to as well. Good. I like it when things fit smoothly into place.
“I’ll be right back with your coffee and pie, hon.” With a swing of her hips, she leaves, and I’m left alone to ponder my next move.
Should I wait to ask her out after she goes out with Trig or ask her out before she goes? If I wait until after she might accept a second date, become attached to him, and I potentially lose my chance. If I ask before she might decline if she’s the type of woman to only accept one date at a time. There are many more pros and cons to both options. This is a tough choice. I’ll eat my pie and decide.
“Here you go. Enjoy!” Crystal pats me on the shoulder before walking away, and I feel my eyebrows raise.Touching is a good sign.
I turn my head slightly to look after her but catchTrigin my vision.Damn.Thankfully he’s watching her with a goofy look of adoration and doesn’t notice me. Shoving an uncharacteristically large bite of pie into my mouth, I begin to wolf the slice down. Despite the heat of the coffee, I practically chug it, so it takes me no time at all to finish and sit back in my seat, hands folded neatly in front of me. Crystal steps to my side, handing me my check with raised brows.
“Well, you’re mighty hungry today, aren’t you? Got some place to be?”
I clear my throat before diving headfirst into my decision. “Crystal, I need to speak with you. Is there a chance we could step to the side briefly?”
“Oh, sure. One sec. Let me meet you over by the entryway, if that’s alright?”
“That would be fine.” I nod as I stand.
Crystal heads to the counter and I head to the front door. When I get outside, to my relief, I see there are no townspeople wandering about this area of the sidewalk who could listen in. Good. For better or worse, I don’t want anyone to hear what is about to happen.
“Okay then, hon. What’s going on?” Crystal asks as she steps outside, wrapping her arms around herself.
The day is a little chillier than expected. Her nipples perk up under her thin, white blouse and I have to force my stuttering mind back to attention.
“Crystal, would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to dinner this weekend?” I clasp my hands behind my back and attempt to look as harmless as possible. Not that I would ever cause anyone harm. Spanking isn’t harm, is it?
