Grocery Store Run-In
“Oops, excuse me,” I said, lifting my head.
I’d almost run into another shopper as I pushed my cart around the corner, just as he was trying to turn into the aisle.
“It’s okay. They really need stoplights for these intersections.” A playful smile played on his lips as his eyes met mine.
“I agree.” I replied with a small laugh.
He was an attractive man with dark hair and a distinguished smile that lit up his whole face. He held an air of confidence around him and I could see the muscles hiding under his tight shirt and jeans. I began moving my cart to continue on, but he stopped me.
“Would you mind helping me with something?”
“Sure, what can I help you with?” I asked, curious to see what he needed.
“I need to bake a cake—for my niece—unfortunately, I’ve never baked a cake in my life.”
“So, why start now? They have an excellent bakery section here with delicious cakes. How old is your niece?”
“She’ll be eight.”
“Oh, yeah, they’ll have a great selection over there.” I gestured towards the general area of the baking section.
“I can’t do that. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she informed me that she wanted me to bake her a cake. It has to be some kind of joke, but I want to deliver what she asked for.”
“Okay, in that case, follow me.” Not hesitating in the least, I found the concern he held for his niece endearing.
Changing directions, he followed, and self-consciousness flowed through me about how I was walking. He was right behind me and surely, he wasn’t married or even involved, or he would be asking them for help, right? We stood before the cake mixes and I turned to look at him again. He was smiling at me and I couldn’t help but return one.
“So, what kind of cake does your niece want?”
“German chocolate cake is what she requested. Please tell me that’s an easy one.”
“Oh, it can be.” I replied mischievously and caught his eye. A wave of attraction pulled me to him and he smiled back with a slight shake of his head.
I perused the shelves, looking for a certain one. I found it, last one on the shelf and handed it to him.
“This is the one you want. The frosting mix is included in here too. These are the extra ingredients that you will need. Do you have these at home?”
He looked at the items listed on the box and shook his head. We went shopping together for a few more minutes, gathering up everything he would need. He was studying the items in his cart and seemed a bit overwhelmed.
“Are you sure this will be easy?” he asked, giving me a sideways glance.
“Yes. Just follow the directions and you will be fine.” I assured him.
“Okay, hey, I’m Marshall by the way.”
“Hadley, nice to meet you. And, good luck with your cake.” Giving a small wave, I started to turn.
“I don’t suppose you’d let me take you to dinner, to thank you for all of your help?”
Taking a moment to think, I replied, “sure, that would be nice. When?”
“Tonight?”
“I’m free. Where should I meet you?”
“How about the London Broil Steakhouse, seven o’clock?”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
We parted ways, and I stopped a few aisles over because I was smiling and needed to compose myself to finish my shopping. I’d been out of the dating game for a while, more focused on my work than anything.
Who would’ve thought I’d meet a guy at the supermarket?
I was excited to see Marshall again, there was a spark of something between us. I finished my grocery shopping in record time, so I could go home and take my time getting ready.
I arrived at the restaurant at a quarter to seven, and he was waiting for me in the front entryway. I almost didn’t recognize him in the button up shirt and slacks he’d put on.
“You made it,” he said relieved.
“Can’t pass up food,” I replied with a smile on my face.
He held out his arm for me and let the hostess know we were ready. Since he’d made reservations, our table was waiting. I took his arm and we followed the hostess. Pulling out my chair, I sat and his hands brushed my shoulders before he walked around to settle into his seat across from me.
Returning with a wine bottle, the hostess offered us a complimentary glass which we readily accepted. Filling our glasses before disappearing, I picked up my menu and began to peruse it. Once I’d settled on what I was going to order, I closed my menu and looked at Marshall.
While he continued studying his menu, I watched him and when he was glanced up and caught me staring at him, I blushed and averted my eyes. Sneaking a glance back up at him, he was engrossed in his menu once more, with a smile spread across his face. Closing his menu, he placed it on the table with his hands folded over the top of it.
“So, Hadley, what is it you do for a living?”’
“I’m a veterinarian at Sweet Creatures, how about you?”
“I’m a detective with the Tampa PD.”
“Wow, that’s got to be a tough job.” I replied, impressed and a little intrigued.
“It can be, just as I’m sure yours can be. How long have you been a vet?”
“Is that your nice way of asking how old I am?” I said, flashing him a grin.
“Dang, you know my secret ways already. I won’t be able to pass anything by you, will I?” he replied with a smile of his own.
“Nope. Not a chance. I’ve been a vet for a little over four years now. How long have you been on the force?”
“I’ve been a detective for three years now and was a street cop for about five years before that.”
“Do you like being a detective?”
“Oh yeah, but sometimes I miss the days of being a street cop. Did you always want to be a vet?”
“Yes, from the time I was about four and our dog died. I knew I wanted to save animals.”
“I just may have to switch vets. My current vet is not nearly as pretty as you.”
“Oh—well—thank you. What kind of animal?”
“Golden lab named Mango.”
“Mango, huh?” I was curious about the name.
“Long story and alcohol may have been a factor,” he laughed.
“Oh, well, one of these days you will have to share it with me. My curiosity is piqued.”
“Deal,” he agreed quickly.
Our waitress approached the table at that time, took our orders and refilled our wine glasses. Once, she left, we resumed our conversation.
“Do you have any other nieces or nephews?”
“Yes, my sister’s girl, little Mandy has a younger brother who is five years old and my younger brother and his wife just had a baby last year.”
“Do you have any children?”
“No, I don’t. Been too busy in my career to find a nice gal to settle down with. How about you? Any kids, jaded ex-husbands?”
I laughed, “No, no kids and no jaded ex-husbands or any husbands at all.”
“Oh, good. Do you have any nieces or nephews?”
“No, no siblings for me. I’m an only child.”
We finished our food in a comfortable silence and were browsing the dessert menu when his cell phone went off.
“I really apologize, but I have to get this.”
“Oh sure, no problem.”
“Detective Tilitson.”
I watched his facial expressions as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. He nodded his head, obviously agreeing with what they were saying. A smile lit up his face.
“Thank you, I’ll be right down,” he hung up the phone and looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Hadley but I have to go. It’s the inconvenient part of my job.”
“No problem, Marshall. I get it.”
“Can I see you again?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?” he questioned, and I gave him a confused look, he continued, “Sorry, it’s just – usually this is the part where I hear no because of my job.”
“Well, sorry to disappoint, but there are weeks that I’m on call and will do the same thing to you, so if you can handle it, so can I.”
“I can handle it. Let me get your digits and I’ll call you soon.”
I gave him my phone number and he settled our bill. With his hand on my lower back, we walked out of the establishment. When we reached my care, he leaned down, giving me a quick peck on the cheek while his hand gently squeezed my shoulder.
“Thank you, Hadley. I’ve had a great evening. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Thank you, Marshall, for a lovely dinner.”
He made sure I was inside before he walked to his vehicle. Smiling as I started up the car and started to drive away, I was excited as he seemed to be a real gentleman. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I couldn’t wait to see him again.
