I narrowed my eyes at him. "Oh, so you're the spice master now? Is that your new superpower?"
He smiled, leaning closer. "Among other things, yes. But my primary superpower is making you smile."
My lips curved involuntarily, fighting against the urge to smile.
Cheeky bastard.
"Alright, enough with the smooth talk. Your lines are sounding straight out of a 90s movie," I remarked, trying to suppress a chuckle.
He chuckled, his smile unapologetic. "Well, you know what they say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Classic lines never go out of style."
I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back a laugh. "Oh, spare me the vintage charm, Mr. Smooth Operator. We're in the 21st century now."
He leaned in a much closer with a mock-serious expression. "Ah, but you can't deny that a little old-school flair adds a touch of magic to modern times."
I couldn't resist bursting into laughter, shaking my head at his stubborn attitude. "Fine, you win this round. But don't expect me to swoon like a 90s heroine."
He shrugged. "No promises needed. Your smile says it all."
"Oh, god," I exclaimed, pushing him as I got up and sat with my knees folded. He toppled over onto his back, laughing wholeheartedly as he did so.
A smile crept onto my face. The feeling was overwhelming - how much I loved this guy. It was a love that could be painful, but in the best way possible. Who would have thought that I, of all people, would be constructing sentences and waxing poetic about love? But here I was, head over heels.
"You're a handful, you know?" I told him. Maybe this is what all those couples in love were always going on about-the magic of spending quality time together.
He let out a snicker. "Ah, and this is where I'm supposed to say, 'That's why you love me, right?'
Lost to the true definition of love, Brie meets Adrian, a man daring enough to love her though he knows it may not end well. She falls hard for him, her reality of love far greater than her fantasies, but when a familiar pain resurfaces in paradise, and she feels like she may be walking down memory lane, will she have it in her to fight? Or is the fear of going through anything that resembles her childhood greater than her dream to finally find love?
Love meets reality in this epic novel.
***
"Excuse me, you seem lost in thought. Did you want to buy something or do I need to direct you home again?"
"What?"
She laughs, "It was a joke, Jeez. The last time you were in here you seemed like you had a sense of humor. Where'd that go?"
"I have this neighbor who basically sucks the life and humor out of people. Unfortunately, I am a recent victim."
"I know how that feels, trust me. I have one in my life too."
"Anyway, what can I do for you Mr. ..."
"Please call me Adrian."
"Okay Adrian, what can I do for you today?"
"Actually, I was passing by, and I thought I should say thank you for the other day."
"That's nice, but you didn't have to. I didn't really do anything a human being wouldn't."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short. You did a lot for me. If you didn't save my ass, I may have been a missing person by now, or worse that guy on the news they keep saying is nowhere to be found."
"How can I argue when you mentioned the guy on the news. The news never lies, and I'm sure you don't either. You're right, I should be thanked for saving a life."
"Not just A life, but many lives. Think of my poor mother and my friends and family. How would they live without me, huh?"
"You're right, I saved a generation that day."
We're both laughing very hard and it feels just right. Talking to her was easy.