Chapter 1
"Ethan Shields!" Mel yelled waddling towards us with Linc right by her side, a smirk plastered on her.
Zach giggled in my arms as the lady I had currently been talking to walked away from me.
Turning to look back at my brother I gulped down the lump on my throat trying to think of something clever today.
Zach excitedly called for his parents as I put him down watching him run towards them.
"Hi, guys. What brings you around this part of town?" I greeted them with a wide smile.
"Still at it brother," Lincoln chuckled.
"What?"
"Using your nephew to get dates. I cannot even imagine what it's going to be like when these two are added to the mix," Mel said caressing her baby bump.
"Come on guys, you know me better than that. Now you just interrupted the beautiful Cindy from telling me which croissants are delectable here," I said with a frown searching for the blonde bombshell.
"Well you know Mel and her cravings," Linc said looking at his wife as she bit into a plum moaning in pure enjoyment having forgotten about confronting me.
"Shall we go," Linc said taking her hand.
"Wait, we need to get my chocolates," she said with a pleading look.
"Only a few," Linc said with a sigh as I laughed at him.
"Remind me never to become like you brother," I sniggered.
I took those words back the moment I laid my eyes on her. Dark hair cascading down her shoulders as Zach ran to her embracing her with that adorable smile of his. Her smile just lit up my world in an instant as she knelt down giving Zach a hug kissing his cheek. Her dark eyes sparkling with laughter as she laughed at what Zach had said. Her light brown skin was pure temptation itself and don't get me started on her curves. She was just...perfect.
She walked up to us with a smile plastered on her face.
"Talia how are you?" Mel said trying to embrace her as they both giggled as her bump got in the way.
"I am great Mel. It's been a while since I saw you at school."
"So sorry about that, I am currently under house arrest," she said throwing a glare at Linc.
"It's alright. I have to get going. I will call you so we can catch up," she said smiling at Linc completely ignoring me but giving me a look that told me to back off.
The next thing I felt was a shot of pain on my arm as Mel punched me.
"What!" I said rubbing my poor arm.
"What did you do to my friend?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," I said raising my arms in surrender.
The look Mel gave me made me spill my guts out in an instant as her lips turned upward into a smile.
"Pay up," she said turning to Linc as he took out his wallet handing over a hundred dollar bill.
"I can see you are confused, dear brother," Mel said as Linc lifted Zach into his arms. "I knew there was no other reason you were always so eager to go to Zach's school unless there was something of interest there, in this case Talia Queen. Judging from her reaction you went overboard in trying to sweep her off her feet. Linc didn't believe me when I said it had to do with Talia hence the bet. And today you just made me some money," she said with a cheeky smile.
I frowned as Linc and Mel burst into laughter making heads turn. A member of their security team opened the door for us as we stepped out of the shop.
"Cat got your tongue brother. You are never this quiet," Linc said.
"Save it brother," I grumbled.
Mel looked at me with a concerned expression as she came to a halt making everyone stop. "Could you give us a minute," she said softly to her husband who nodded his head in understanding.
"You really like her don't you?"
"I..I"
"Tell me exactly what you did."
"You know the usual..."
----
I had been picking Zach up from his classroom for the past week and today was the day I would ask her out.
"Good day sweetness," I said greeting her as she rolled her eyes at me smiling as Zach said his goodbye. "You, me, movies equals an epic night," I said with a cheeky grin.
"No thank you Mr Shields," she said turning away from me.
"Okay we can skip the movies and just go back to my place for an intimate dinner," I said giving her my killer smile.
She scoffed turning away from me. From then onwards she avoided me like the plague every time I went to get Zach.
-----
"Ouch," I said rubbing my arm once more. "Why are you so violent, is it the hormones?"
"You are an idiot. Do you seriously think she is like all those other women eager to get into your bed?"
I shook my head no.
"Now here is what I want you to do. You are going to buy her pink roses. Pink do you hear me?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Now she gets off work at four to take the bus home. Offer her a ride as a form of apology. Nothing more. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am," I said with a wide grin.
"And Ethan please I beg of you no crazy pickup lines or cheesy comments."
"Yes ma'..."
"Call me ma'am one more time," she threatened.
"Yes Mel. Thank you," I said pulling her into my arms kissing her cheek.
"If you mess up, don't come running to me for advice, I have given you the gasoline, now you just have to light up that fire and make sure it keeps burning."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I said turning to leave her and head towards my car smiling like an idiot.
