“A palm reader?” May asks as the dogs bark and play in the background. “Let me guess, she told you that you’d meet Prince Charming and make whoopee pies?”
“I think that’s what Tiff intended, but things definitely did not go according to plan.” I give the quick version of what happened with Marie and her creepy prediction as May hangs on every word. “So we hightailed it out of there as Tiff gave her a piece of her mind.”
“Good, so many charlatans out there. Don’t believe a word of it.”
I hug myself, shivering despite the warm weather, and look over at her. “I know . . . but Auntie, I met a guy last night.”
“Ooh, did you now?” she asks, sounding interested. “Tell me.”
I nod and tell her all about my night at the bar, Scott and his tattoo, and how I kicked him out. I leave out the part about him making me cream myself on his thigh. “I just can’t believe that she said I would get stung by a scorpion, and then I met him.”
May laughs. “Well, did he sting you?”
“Pardon me?” I reply, shocked.
“Did the guy sting you?” May asks, using her fingers to show me exactly what she means. “With the stinger all men got between their legs?”
I laugh. That’s Aunt May, demure and crass all in the same conversation. “Of course not!”
“Then what she said was a bunch of this,” she says, kicking a petrified dog turd with her boot. “Damn, gonna need those three out here after they’re done inside.”
“I don’t know. It scared me,” I admit. “You know I don’t believe in that stuff. But I don’t—”
“You like him.”
I stop, turning to May to make sure I didn’t just hear a hallucination. “What?”
May gives me a measuring look, and since she’s not one to bullshit, I brace myself as she speaks. “I can tell by the way you’re talking and I can see it in your eyes. You were interested and that scares the bejesus outta you.”
I want to argue, but it’s the truth. Scott was interesting and challenging, not to mention hot as hell. And he worked my body like a master. I can only imagine what he could do with our clothes off. And though it pissed me off that he jumped in to save me, there’s a part of me that appreciated the gentlemanly gesture. I can’t believe that even after my freak-out, he waited to make sure I was safe. That was truly above and beyond, and it made me feel . . . worthwhile. I haven’t felt that way in a long time from a man, and Scott had barely even met me, but he was respectful enough to take care of me like I was precious.
But by now, he’s probably forgotten all about the bartender who ran hot and cold and left him with a serious case of blue balls. I’m embarrassed about how I acted and would rather avoid the situation than face it. “Well, it doesn’t matter now. I’ll probably never see him again. He probably thinks I’m crazy and have some serious mental issues. A rich guy like that doesn’t need a bartender adding drama to his perfect life.”
“We all got issues, honey,” May says, putting an arm around my shoulders. “You, me . . . even our little buddies here got issues. But you know what makes a good life? Admitting those issues, finding ways to work around them with the people who can add something to your life, and giving them a chance. And giving yourself a chance too.”
One of the new arrivals comes up and nuzzles against my leg for a scratch. I bend down to pet him, cooing, “Who’s a good boy?”
May chuckles as the dog’s tail wags so hard his butt wiggles. “And honey, you never know. Maybe the old coot was right and we’re just interpreting what she said wrong. It don’t have to be a bad thing . . . maybe she did mean ‘stinging’ the old-fashioned way.” She winks and points at her nether regions again, a big grin on her face. “Girl, some things in life are just meant to be, and you gotta enjoy them while you can.”
Chapter 7
Scott
Daily Horoscope, September 25th
Scorpio - Do not resist that which you desire. Deprivation only leads to greater lust in the end.
Fuck me . . . please!
Those words play over and over in my mind. Maddie’s soft begging cries