Before Lucky (Forever Love #2.5)(13)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Good for you.”

“But yeah, I lost weight in rehab. So I try to eat lots of salads to keep the fat off.”

“Interesting.” I didn’t want to tell her that I’d never really heard of an overweight drug addict before. But I didn’t think that it was a really relevant part of the conversation.

“But I’m clean now.” She leaned towards me. “I hope I haven’t turned you off by being too honest about everything. I know that’s a flaw that I have.”

“Of course not, I love honesty.”

“Is everything tasting okay? Is there anything else you guys need?” Lucky stopped by the table again, and this time I turned to her, but she looked over my head and didn’t make eye contact with me.

“It’s great, thanks, Lucky.” My voice was soft and I willed her to look at me but my nonexistent magical powers didn’t work. I sighed inside and realized that she was probably upset at me for ignoring her earlier. My stomach lurched as I realized that she might not easily forgive me. I knew that I was already in an awkward position, trying to get to know her while bringing a different date to the diner every week. She probably thought I was a player, or a jackass, or both. And she wouldn’t be far from the truth. But I couldn’t allow her to just dismiss me. She had wheedled her way into my subconscious, and her smile was indelibly ingrained in my mind.

“She seems nice.” Sandra raised an eyebrow at me.

“Who?”

“Your crush.”

“Sorry what?” I looked at her on confusion.

“The waitress.” She nodded towards Lucky. “Lucy, or whatever her name is.”

“It’s Lucky, and she’s not my crush.”

“If you like her, you should ask her out.”

“I’m on a date with you.”

“Hey, I don’t mind, honestly. I’m just trying to get by, day by day. And frankly, I was surprised when you asked me on a date.” Sandra shook her short, dark brown hair. “I thought you were going to be a jerk, based on what Braydon used to say about you. But you’re cool. I just don’t think we have any sexual chemistry, you know?”

“Oh, really?” I made a face, surprised at her remark. It was true that I wasn’t particularly attracted to her, but I was shocked that she wasn’t attracted to me. I mean, most women were, and I felt slightly dissed that she had dated Braydon but didn’t think I was good enough.

“Don’t get me wrong, I could ride you all f**king night.” She winked at me. “But I don’t think that’s what you want.”

“Well,” I laughed, slightly blown away at her words. This girl didn’t play. “I can f**k with the best of them.” I laughed out loud, and then groaned as I realized Lucky was at the next table. I had a feeling that she had heard what I’d said because she gave me a shocked look before turning away from me. Fuck it! I was making everything worse for myself. “Though, I’m not the sort of guy that just sleeps around.” I spoke loudly so that Lucky could hear, and Sandra gave me a funny look.

“Dude, I’m not trying to be funny. And I know this is weird because we’re technically on a date, but just ask her out. Write a letter or note to her or something. Girls love that shit. Leave your number in the letter and ask her to call you.”

“You’re pretty cool, you know that?” I shook my head in amazement. “But no, I won’t be doing that.”

“I know, I know. I’m unique.” She laughed loudly. “And now that I’m not a f**king dopehead, I’m about more than just giving my body away.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Though, the offer for tonight is still on. I can rock your world if you want me to.” She leaned towards me and winked. “There are things I can do with an ice cube that will have you wishing you lived in the Sahara Desert.”

“Oh?” I leaned toward her, intrigued. “You’re making it very hard to say no.”

“But I’m not making it easy enough to say yes, am I?”

I shook my head reluctantly. She was right. While my body was interested in finding out the tricks of her trade, mentally I wasn’t interested. There was only one person that I wanted in my bed, rocking my world right now. And until I had her, no one else would satisfy me. I needed to have her before I could exorcise her from my mind. I needed to taste her sweetness on my lips. She was my Eve, and my life couldn’t move past this point without the delight of me experiencing sin with her.

“She’s looking over here, you know.” Sandra laughed. “And if looks could kill, I think I’d be in a cemetery right now.”

“Come on now.” I laughed but my face flushed warm.

“You cannot doubt that she also thinks you’re hot. Seriously?” She sat back and looked at me with disbelieving eyes. “You’re like the hottest guy in Miami, and perhaps the richest one as well.”

“She doesn’t know I’m rich.”

“Well you sure don’t look like a bum.” Sandra ran her eyes over me. “Not at all.”

“Are you undressing me with your eyes?” I flirted back with her, happiness making me lightheaded. If she thought Lucky was interested in me, she had to have noticed something.

“I am, but I don’t think I’m the one that has you so happy.”

“You’re a nice girl, Sandra,” I started, but she held her hand up and stopped me.

“But I’m not the girl. I get it, I get it.” She jumped up. “I think it’s best if I leave, and maybe you can talk to the waitress.”

“No, don’t leave.” I shook my head. I still needed to get some info from Sandra about Braydon. “We should finish our food and get dessert.”

“I could go for an ice cream sundae.”

“You read my mind.” I ran my hands through my hair and knocked my fork onto the ground as I brought my hand down. “Oops.” I bent over to get it, and as my fingers reached it, another hand closed down on the fork and soft fingers grazed against mine. I felt a shock of electricity and looked up slowly. Lucky’s face was mere inches from mine, and her eyes were wide with surprise as she gazed into my darkened irises. I squeezed her fingers briefly, and we both looked at each other in awe as the flow of electricity between us connected us to each other. I’d never felt anything like this before, it was as if our two bodies together made a live circuit. I was almost scared to let go of her. Her touch made me feel powerful, and now that I had felt that jolt of adrenaline, I was loath to go back to my regular self. “I dropped my fork.” I continued staring into her eyes.