Fixed Up Read Free

Feistiness with this little beauty in front of him. Luke stood for a full five minutes at the end of the aisle gazing in open admiration at the latest object of his affections: a gleaming, stainless steel monster of an outdoor grill. He ran his hand over the lid, lifting it up and pulling open the woodchip smoker drawer to examine it more closely. He could almost smell the steaks, hear the sizzle. With summer holidays just around the corner this baby would be the perfect new toy for his deck.
    The sound of high heels tapping on concrete caught his attention and he looked up to see that woman again. A jolt shot through him. He watched with renewed hope as she made her way down the aisle towards him. She walked slowly, her movements neat and precise. Her shiny dark hair bounced across her shoulders, moving in time to her swaying hips. Her skirt took up the same swinging rhythm, giving an overall impression of such smooth momentum that when she stopped, pausing to pick up a fat, white candle, Luke was taken by surprise.
    Holding it close to her small, upturned nose, he saw her eyes close in a sort of rapture as she breathed deeply, once, twice, three times. Something stirred inside him at the sight of dark eyelashes fluttering against creamy-skinned cheeks, her expression of bliss. She drew one more breath before replacing the candle carefully on the shelf.
    Seemingly oblivious to her surroundings she resumed her walk. Pretty pink lips moved in a silent soliloquy as she focused on a piece of paper in her hand. Then she was right there, walking past him and his trolley.
    As if he were the Invisible Man.
    â€˜Hi again,’ he said, scrambling into her path.
    She jumped before recognising him. She thrust her hands on her small hips, adopting a defensive stance as she looked up at him.
    â€˜Holy cow, they’re coming out of the woodwork today,’ she said.
    â€˜Who?’
    â€˜The fiends and the nutters.’ She gave him the once-over.
    â€˜What? You think I’m a weirdo too?’ Luke couldn’t help being offended. Not just by her words, but by the wary look she shot him. ‘I’m as boringly normal as it gets,’ he said. ‘You’re the one talking to yourself.’
    A pink flush swept across her face, right to the tips of her perfect ears.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘That was rude. Again. It’s been a crazy day.’ Her finger circled her head in the universal sign for loco. ‘Though if you’re so normal, why is your trolley overflowing with all that random stuff? It looks like you’re renovating in Crazy Town.’
    How true. Luke snorted back a laugh. ‘I had a sneaking suspicion it looked like it’d been put together by a blind person.’
    The woman nodded. ‘Yup. Your sneaking suspicion was spot on. And that floral is horrendous. It’s a throwback from the seventies. Don’t do it to yourself.’
    Luke picked up the questionable floral again. ‘It’s not for me, it’s for my mother. She loves flowers.’
    â€˜Real ones, yes, not posies puked onto her wall.’
    Luke laughed again. This woman was too cute. And frighteningly honest.
    She took a hesitant step forward and pointed at the cart. ‘May I?’ she asked.
    â€˜Sure,’ he said, watching as she pulled another sample from his trolley.
    â€˜Now this I like.’ She held up a silvery damask, her hands running over it like a caress. ‘This would be stunning for a bedroom, or even a dining room. What room is she decorating?’
    â€˜Good question. I haven’t decided yet.’
    â€˜ You haven’t decided yet?’ The woman’s tone changed a little. ‘Is your mother incapacitated or something?’
    â€˜No! She’s great.’ He pushed away the habitual pang of guilt, which resurfaced at the thought of his mother. ‘Fantastic for her age.’
    â€˜Which would be ninety-seven, judging from this