A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee Page 0,47

needed to shop for the perfect ingredients. Fortunately, these ingredients didn’t involve alcohol. Aubrey got ready in record time, jumped on a pretty beach cruiser bike—courtesy of Lucien—and pedaled toward the small enclave of stores down the hill. A soft breeze ruffled her hair as she sped across her beautiful surroundings with gleeful abandon. By the time she arrived at her first destination, she was breathless and laughing.

The produce shop was filled to the brim with colorful local produce, from artichokes to zucchini blossoms. Aubrey’s palms itched to touch and buy everything, and she barely managed not to drool.

“Eureka,” she breathed. In the midst of the bounty, she spotted a small row of gorgeous scarlet strawberries.

“Fort Laramie.”

“What?” Aubrey spun to face a giant of a man, her hand pressed to her chest. She craned her neck to take in his height and barrel chest.

“The strawberries,” he said. “They’re the Fort Laramie varieties. Not Eureka.”

She released a breathy laugh, her momentary surprise fading. “I was saying, ‘Eureka!’ as in ‘I found it!’”

“I see. California gold rush slang. Sorry, it’s been awhile.” His weathered face crinkled with amusement. “I’ve never seen someone so excited over strawberries—even Fort Laramies!”

“They smell so intense.” She reached out to touch one. “And they’re heavier than they look. They must be juicy little buggers.”

“Mmm-hmm. They’re the sweetest strawberries around, too.” The man stuck out a porterhouse steak–size hand. “I’m Jorge. Welcome to Central Coast Produce.”

“Hi, I’m Aubrey.”

He freed her hand and offered her a sample. The tender bulb exploded in her mouth in a symphony of flavors.

“I love your Fort Laramie strawberries.”

A warm, baritone chuckle permeated the air, and Aubrey realized Jorge was a teddy bear despite his formidable size. “Well, join the club, but I love all my beauties equally.”

“I need a dozen quarts.” Then she bit her lip. “I’ll be cleaning you out, though. Is that all right?”

“I’m a farmer, but also a businessman. Getting cleaned out is a good thing.”

Aubrey’s jaw dropped open again. “You grew all these?”

“Yup.” His teeth were dazzling white against his weathered skin. “Except for the flowers, olives, and grapes, these are all from our farm. My wife and son usually man the shop, but they went to some fancy organic farming seminar.”

“How wonderful.”

“Can I get you anything else?”

“Eggs. Do you have eggs?”

“Only the best eggs you’ll ever taste.”

“Eureka.”

Aubrey was panting and sweat-drenched by the time she returned to the villa a couple hours later. It was freakishly difficult to climb uphill with the sun pounding down on her. She’d had most of her supplies delivered to the villa, but the bike moved as though it were pulling a carriage via her leg power.

The sky-blue tank top she’d donned this morning was stuck to her like a second skin, and her underwear was soggy with sweat. She was going straight to the pool and jumping in with her clothes on.

When she saw a red Mercedes parked in front of the villa, Aubrey groaned out loud. She wasn’t expecting anyone and felt the opposite of hospitable. Then her groan descended into a miserable moan.

Their unannounced guest was as stunning in person as she was in the pictures. Tall, statuesque, and glamorous. How can the woman look so perfect on a sweltering day like this? While Aubrey would never be able to compete with her in the looks department, she was mortified that her first meeting with Aria Santini would be at her stickiest, smelliest moment.

Aubrey considered running for the bushes, but Aria spotted her from across the driveway. With no other choice, she dismounted the beach cruiser, almost falling flat on her face when her exhausted legs buckled. She righted herself like a gangly camel and manipulated her red sweaty face into what she hoped was a nonchalant expression. I so am not fangirling.

Aria hurried toward her with a shining smile, her hands clasped in front of her perfect bosom. Before Aubrey could utter a laid-back hey, Aria drew her into a firm embrace, profuse perspiration and all.

“Oh, mio dio!” Aria said in a lyrical voice. “It’s so good to meet you.”

Aria was not a diva from hell as Aubrey had feared. Her voice, her smile, and her genuine warmth made Aubrey’s awkwardness melt away.

“Um … hi. Aria Santini, right?”

“Just Aria.” She linked her arm through Aubrey’s and led them toward the villa. “I’m sorry to drop in without notice. I don’t have your number, but I thought I’d still come and introduce myself. I’ve been dying to meet you.”

“Me?” Aubrey

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