I nearly died of stupidity.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean you didn’t know.” My face flaming, I picked up the statue and looked at the bottom. “It’s two hundred.”
“Two hundred?” His eyebrows pinched together.
“Not my price. It says on the tag.” I should really stop talking.
His lips curved into a small grin. “I’ll come back another day for it.”
I put the Cupid statue back down. “Sure. Not a problem. You’re welcome to put a small deposit and I can put it on hold for you. I don’t mean to sound like a pushy salesperson, but it might be gone by the time you decide to buy it. If you change your mind, you can let me know and I’ll refund the deposit. We can hold it for three days.”
He rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed. “Fine. I’ll purchase it now.” His eyes gleamed. “I know where I’ll put it. Credit card okay?”
“Sure,” I said cheerfully, happy to make a sale. “Follow me, please.”
Very aware his eyes were on me, I walked faster.
I picked up the card-reading gadget from the drawer and swiped Leonardo’s card when he handed it to me. After he signed, I’d extended my arm to give the card back when it slipped out of my hand.
I bent down quickly to retrieve it, but I smacked my head into something hard. Air whooshed out from my lungs as I landed on my butt with a thump. Pain shot up my spine.
Crap!
“I’m so sorry.” Leonardo bent to one knee and picked up the card. “Let me help you,” he said and extended a hand.
I let him pull me up. Our bodies were too close for comfort and he wrapped his arms around my waist to steady me. My heart skipped a beat and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. When his eyes locked on mine, they sparkled to life for just a second, and then he backed away in a hurry.
“Are you okay?” His baritone voice was smooth and pleasant. “Did I hurt you?”
I rubbed the side of my head and leaned against the desk for a moment. “I’m fine, but did I hurt you? I have a hard head.”
He chuckled. “It would be impolite for me to agree.” He winked. “But I think mine is harder. I’m fine, thanks for asking.”
Oh, goodness that wink. He looked so playful and sexy. Silence filled the air, and I tried to think of questions. Then I recalled his daughter.
“My nephew goes to preschool with your daughter.” The words flew out before I could stop them. Oops. I shouldn’t know that about him.
“My daughter?” He hiked an eyebrow. “How do you know I have a daughter?”
Heat flushed up my face as I made up a lie and I was surprised how quickly I’d thought of it. “Abby told me.”
“Oh. What’s your nephew’s name?”
“Tyler Fuller.”
“Tyler?” he said as if mulling the name. “Oh, yes. Bridget and Tyler are friends. She talks about him all the time.”
My breath caught for a moment. “Tyler talks about her all the time too.”
I wouldn’t have guessed. Bridget had blonde hair and blue eyes so unlike Leonardo’s dark eyes and dark hair. The blonde woman he was with at the shopping plaza must be his wife or girlfriend. All speculation, of course, but it made sense.
Leonardo shoved his hands inside his front pockets and rocked on his heels. “They should have a playdate sometime. If Tyler is available.”
“That sounds nice. I’ll let my sister know.” I pushed my hair behind my ear and clasped my hands together.
Why is Stella taking so long?
“Your sister?” He gave me a sidelong glance.
Of course he had no idea. Why would he? “Abby Fuller is my sister. I’m in town for Christmas. She was sick yesterday, which is why I was here and not her.”
“Oh, that’s right. Abby told me over the phone. I hope she’s feeling better.”
“She’ll be in tomorrow.”
I debated whether to ask him about the shirt, but the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted me.
“Here it is. Sorry it took so ... long.” Stella brought the painting out, all encased up in bubble wrap. She had done a great job.
“Thank you, ladies.” He glanced between the two of us. “See you next time.” He gave a tight-lipped smile and headed for the door.
“Oh, wait. Mr. Medici, you forgot Cupid.” I rushed after him.
When he whirled, we would’ve collided yet again had I not skidded to a halt.
“Sorry.” I stepped back and pointed. “Your Cupid.”
“Could I pick it up another day? My hands are full.” He glanced from me to Stella and back to me.
“Of course. I’ll hold it for you, and you can pick it up at your convenience.”
“Thank you, Miss—? Missus ...?”
“Miss Summers.”
“I’ll likely stop by tomorrow. Have a good evening, Miss Summers.” He tilted his head and walked out the door.
“He’s so gorgeous.” Stella slumped into her seat with dreamy eyes. “And he’s such a gentleman. It’s hard to find a man like him.”
“I didn’t notice.” I picked up Cupid from the shelf to put him in the back for safekeeping.
Stella gawked at me. “You’d have to be blind not to notice him.”
I shrugged as I passed the sofa. “He’s okay ... I wasn’t looking at him. I mean, I had to look at him to talk to him obviously, but not like that.”
Stella’s eyes beamed while she rocked back in her chair. “Not like how, Kaitlyn?”
“What?” I halted half way to the back room and pivoted toward her.
“Never mind. Whatever you say,” she murmured and pulled up the computer to input something. “I’ll finish the invoice of the transaction.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll be in the back room.”
“Yup. It looks like Cupid did his job.”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind. Happy painting,” she said. “Too bad you didn’t get paint on him this time. He was one sexy mess yesterday. Someone to dream about.”
I shook my head and snorted, though I had thought the same thing.
Chapter Eleven — The Beach Front House
After I dropped off Tyler at his preschool, I called a cab and went to the interview for the nanny position.
A family that could afford a nanny was obviously well off, but I didn’t expect a private beach where all the homes were within walking distance to the ocean. I’d have brought my camera if I’d known I’d be looking at this view.
Families strolled on the beach, their children laughing and kicking up white sand. Dogs on leashes trotted beside their owners, and a few braved the cold water to swim.
As the cab drove away, I shivered when a cool breeze brushed my neck as I walked up the curvy driveway. Yellow, white, and red hibiscus bloomed on either side of the front porch, and their sweet scent spiraled around me. A Christmas wreath hung on the front door, adorned with gold baubles and one big red ribbon on the top.
One of the double doors opened after I rang the doorbell and a woman peeked out.
“Hello. I’m Mona. You must be Ms. Summers?”