you live nearby?”
“About ten minutes away. Like you, it’s conveniently near where I live, so sometimes I stop by and grab groceries that I need. Tonight I’m having a steak salad.” She held up the package of ribeye and then dropped it into her basket.
“Sounds good. So, you like to cook…?” Eyes scanning the contents of the basket in her hand, he seemed very interested in her culinary skills.
“A little. It’s certainly cheaper than eating out all the time, and convenient. How about you?” She peeked into his hand basket and saw canned goods, jars of spaghetti sauce, and boxes of pasta.
“I love to cook, actually. Plus cooking can be really relaxing.”
She nodded. “I agree. What’s for dinner tonight?” She wanted to keep him around, to continue listening to his sexy, accented voice and stare at his incredible body.
“Tonight I’m keeping it simple. I’ve had ground beef defrosting in the refrigerator since yesterday. I picked up spaghetti sauce and pasta, so I’m having Italian. Although, cooking for one means I’ll be eating spaghetti and meat sauce for the next few days. It’s cheap but plentiful.” He was more relaxed and talkative and smiled a lot.
Shanice laughed. “Well, at least you planned ahead, which makes you much smarter than me, which is why I’m standing here at the steaks.” Her mouth twisted into a rueful expression of regret, prompting a laugh from him.
It was brief, yet the sound touched a place deep in her chest, squeezing as if with an iron fist. What she’d been aching for, what was missing from her life could be standing right before her and she couldn’t make a move because she didn’t know what the future held. She might have to move again tomorrow.
She used to be confident and self-assured, but now she couldn’t trust her own judgment—couldn’t definitely say the sun was shining even when its bright rays lit up the sky. She was that unsure of herself ever since the fiasco with Dennis.
“Is something wrong?” Vicente asked.
Shanice had forgotten he was standing in front of her. His question and expression of frowning concern snapped her out of her morbid thoughts. “No, I’m fine. Got lost in thought for a minute. So, you don’t make your own spaghetti sauce?”
He chuckled. “I can cook, but I like the easy route. Of course, I buy the jarred version and end up cutting up basil, onions, and garlic to flavor it, so I should probably make it from scratch anyway.” He shrugged.
“I’m the same. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
A pause filled the space between them.
Vicente shifted from one foot to the next. “I…I’ll let you go back to your shopping. I need to pick up a few more things before I go home, but I had to come over and say hello.”
“I’m glad you did, and it was nice to see you.”
“Yes. Twice in one day, and you live nearby.”
“I do.” She nodded.
He watched her for a moment, and she remained still under his scrutiny. She barely noticed the other shoppers passing by, she was so taken with him and their conversation. Vicente seemed deep in thought, but then must have made a decision, because he heaved a breath. “I’ll see you around. Well, definitely at the bookstore.”
“Yes, definitely.” Shanice pushed down the hot surge of disappointment.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
She watched him walk away with a throb of pain in her heart. The ache to say something, to call out to him, never manifested into any action. With regret, she turned back to the meat, scouring the options for chicken this time.
“Shanice?” Surprised, she swung around at the sound of her name again. This time, Vicente seemed more hesitant. She could see it in his eyes. What did this hunk of man have to be hesitant about?
“Yes?” she asked, anticipation making her voice breathless.
He laughed softly, nervously, his gaze sweeping up and down the aisle, as if searching for the confidence he needed to say what was on the tip of his tongue.
She held her breath. Waiting.
His gaze met hers again. “Are you seeing anyone? Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” Her fingers tightened on the basket handle. Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod.
“Would you, er…would you be interested in going out with me? Maybe dinner?”
“Sure. I’m free next Saturday.”
“I was thinking sooner. Tomorrow night?”
She didn’t have to work Sunday night, but hesitated. What did she really know about this man? Nothing, really, and she was about to spend time with him. But how else would she get to know him