“Alright, now time to tell me the truth,” Misty states before she takes a healthy bite out of the pizza.
“My name is Lucas Barnes.” I wait patiently for her to connect the dots, but after a few seconds, I decide she needs a little more help. “I’m a professional basketball player.”
“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” Misty gives me a quizzical stare. “I don’t watch sports, or much television at all, actually.”
“I’m on television because people believe I’m interesting. But everything they say is a lie, unless it’s my basketball stats.”
I send up a silent prayer that she will accept my vague answer. I have no desire to lay all the dirty details of my past on the table. It’s not that I’m ashamed of it; it’s just that it’s all in the past. I’m no longer the “bad boy” everyone tries to make me out to be.
“Now let me see how this pizza holds up against Chicago's deep dish.”
Misty smiles before diving into her pizza.
I don’t know how to explain the pull I’ve felt toward her since we meet. People say love at first sight isn’t possible, but that’s only because they’ve never experienced it before. I knew the moment I met Misty that she was something special. Now I just need to convince her I am worth taking a chance on.
As I take a bite of my pizza, I steal a glance of her, hoping to commit this moment to memory. Her long brown hair lays over her shoulder in an intricate braid. A light dusting of freckles covers her full rosy cheeks.
“Can I help you?” she questions. “It’s rude to stare at people when they are eating.”
I chuckle before pointing to my cheek. “You have a little something…”
I trail off as she grabs a napkin and begins wiping her cheek, completely missing the pizza sauce near her mouth.
“Did I get it?” she questions as she pins me in place with her chocolate brown eyes.
My eyes scan her face before stopping on her luscious pink lips. Unable to resist, I lean down and lick the sauce off the corner of her mouth. Instantly, her face turns three different shades of red. Before I can even apologize, she slides out of the booth and mumbles something about needing to go to the bathroom before taking off toward the front of the restaurant.
I rub the back of my neck in embarrassment. I need to put the brakes on my emotions, or I’ll scare her away. Misty isn’t like anyone I have ever met before, and I need to remember that. I’m not used to things working out how I plan, but I will try my hardest to ensure nothing damages my chance with her.
I wait a few moments for her to return before resigning myself to finishing my lunch alone. As I reach for another slice, shouting comes from the front of the restaurant.
“The last thing I need is more attention,” I mumble as I slide to the end of the booth and lean to the side, hoping to get a glimpse of who has caused the commotion.
As if in slow motion, I watch Hana shove Misty to the ground.
“I won’t let you have him!” she shouts.
Being the “him” in question, I slide out of the booth and shove my hands in my pocket. The last thing I need is another woman believing she has some kind of claim over me. I already have one stalker. I’m not too keen on getting another one.
“What seems to be the problem, ladies?” I step in between the two of them and turn to help Misty stand. “Are you alright?”
She gives me a tight smile, but doesn’t say a word.
“Get out of my restaurant, and take your Oompa Loompa with you,” Hana growls before heading back toward the kitchen.
“Gladly,” I respond before threading my fingers through Misty’s.
Blistering wind smacks us both in the face once I open the door and pull her outside behind me. I am not exactly sure where we’re headed, but I know I need to get Misty as far away from that girl as possible.
Chapter 4
Mistletoe
What the hell was he thinking?
I smooth my fingers across the corner of my mouth, relishing what it felt like to have his lips gently brush against mine.
“Nothing good ever comes from fantasies,” I mumble to myself as I scurry into the bathroom.
How cliché can I get? Running to hide in the bathroom after a hot guy kisses me? But I had to get away. Being that close to Lucas Barnes is detrimental to my heart.
I have no idea why Lucas felt the need to flirt with me. I doubt he was being anything but nice.
“Get it together, Misty. He was just being nice,” I say as I examine my reflection. My cheeks are still pink from our encounter earlier, accentuating my freckles.
I must admit, the new elf costume that my father ordered for me hugs all my curves, makes my tits look amazing, and shows off all my best features. I’m thick all over and love to eat, but I also take care of myself. Shoveling snow and lifting heavy boxes of ornaments is a great workout. Who cares if I have an extra slice of pizza now and then? If I’m happy with the way I look, everyone else—especially Hana—can piss off.
The memory of Hana leaning over the counter and caressing Lucas’s chest flashes in my mind as a sudden pang of sadness fills my heart.
Why does it bother me that Hana was hitting on Lucas? She hits on pretty much anyone who is remotely good-looking, and it has never bothered me before. Why is he any different?
Having more questions now than when I entered this bathroom, I spin on my heels and head out of the bathroom. Unfortunately, Hana is waiting for me.
“You know you’re not good enough for him, right?” she snarls as I push past her and head back toward our table. “He’s Lucas Barnes. Have you seen the woman he dates? I doubt he could even afford to take you out to a real dinner. You would eat everything in sight.”
I stop right in front of the entrance. I’ve had more than enough of her shit for one day.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than bother me?” I spit.
“Bothering you? I’m just trying to help a friend. I don’t want you to get your heart set on someone you can never have.”
“Whatever, Hana. We haven’t been friend for years. The only thing you want to do is tell all your lackeys you had sex with Lucas Barnes. Too bad he’s not that into you...” I smirk, waiting for her witty retort. When she says nothing, I continue. “Whatever your problem is, get over it. If you want him, have at him, but I hate to say he doesn’t seem to be interested.”
Hana’s eyes immediately light with fire. “You’re such a fucking bitch. You know that? Walking around like you’re better than everyone, but you’re nothing more than…”
Before she can finish her sentence, she shoves me hard. I wasn’t expecting it, so I tumble to the ground, falling flat on my ass.
Just as I am about to lay into her, Lucas steps between us.
“What seems to be the problem, ladies?” He grips my hand, pulling me to my feet. “Are you alright?”
“Get out of my restaurant and take your Oompa Loompa with you,” Hana growls before heading back toward the kitchen.
“Gladly,” Lucas responds as he pulls me out the door and down the road.
“I didn’t need you to save me, you know.” I pull back on my arm and stop, waiting for Lucas to respond.