Laying a Foundation: Bonus volume: Includes series prequel, The Groundbreaking (The Love Under Construction Series) by Deanndra Hall Page B
Authors: Deanndra Hall
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blond lady would be leaving, and he could stop her and talk to her out in the lot, away from the actual gym and prying eyes. But he wasn’t sure he’d have the courage even if that ever happened.
Once changed and out of the locker room, Tony walked to the far end of the main room to hit the free weights. Most of the usual people were there. Kelly and the blond lady were on the treadmills. When he passed, Kelly looked up first and he nodded, only to have her return his greeting with a sexy little wave and a 100-megawatt smile.
Then the blond glanced his way. Tony smiled a small, warm smile and nodded. She smiled back and looked at her feet. She was so cute when she did that – that shy thing, like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. He wouldn’t exactly call her a beauty, but she was a nice-looking, very well-put-together woman, with decent-sized, real-looking breasts, a nice, tight ass, and not an extra ounce of fat on her, just lean and strong. Tony thought she looked like someone who could hold a decent conversation. He’d really like to find out.
But not tonight. Tonight he’d work out, eat, and watch the game. Then he’d go to bed like he always did – alone – and get up tomorrow and start all over. Tomorrow evening he’d smile and nod, and she’d smile back and look down at her feet. Then same song, second verse.
Like always.
CHAPTER THREE
“W e’ll get those delivered tomorrow morning for you. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, I think that’s everything. She’s going to love them!” the young man said, grinning from ear to ear as he turned to leave.
“If she doesn’t, you let us know right away and we’ll make it right,” Nikki replied. “Have a great afternoon.”
Nikki turned a bit and noticed the young woman in the far corner. “Miss, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Uh, yeah. I need something for my girlfriend,” she said, caressing a large pink rose.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Our anniversary,” the girl offered. She was petite and lovely, with long, dark hair, golden skin, and soft brown eyes that lit up when she mentioned their special day.
“First? Or long time?”
“We’ve been together for five years,” the girl replied, looking at a crystal vase.
“Well, congratulations to you both! What’s her favorite color?”
“Lavender.”
“I think I might have just the thing. Let me get them.” From the cooler, Nikki brought out an armload of something wrapped in tissue. She opened the tissue to reveal a dozen exquisite lavender-colored roses. “Whaddya think? Think she’d like these?”
“Oh, my god, she’d love those! Maybe in this vase? With some other stuff in them, you know, those little white things . . .”
“Baby’s breath? Of course. And some fern. We can do it up right nice. I think you’ll be pleased,” Nikki smiled at her. “So let’s get some information and get started. Your name?”
“Annabeth Walters,” the girl replied.
“And they’re going to . . .”
“Katie Reynolds. 451 Thrush Lane.”
“Oh, she’s my neighbor! I live on Bluejay Lane.”
“Really? We’ve lived over there for the last four years, ever since we had our ceremony.”
“Commitment ceremony? Wedding?”
“Well, we call it our wedding, but it was a commitment ceremony. You know Kentucky’s not that progressive!” Annabeth laughed.
“Don’t I know it!” Nikki was impressed with the young woman. She exuded self-confidence. “You’re so lucky to find each other.”
“Thanks! Yeah, I don’t know what I’d do without Katie.” A wistful smile stretched across Annabeth’s face. “She’s smart and funny and beautiful. And she understands me better than anyone.”
“Everyone deserves to have someone like that,” Nikki said thoughtfully, pulling the crystal vase from the shelf and putting it with the order slip.
“You’re the flower shop lady. You’re in the business of making love
Once changed and out of the locker room, Tony walked to the far end of the main room to hit the free weights. Most of the usual people were there. Kelly and the blond lady were on the treadmills. When he passed, Kelly looked up first and he nodded, only to have her return his greeting with a sexy little wave and a 100-megawatt smile.
Then the blond glanced his way. Tony smiled a small, warm smile and nodded. She smiled back and looked at her feet. She was so cute when she did that – that shy thing, like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. He wouldn’t exactly call her a beauty, but she was a nice-looking, very well-put-together woman, with decent-sized, real-looking breasts, a nice, tight ass, and not an extra ounce of fat on her, just lean and strong. Tony thought she looked like someone who could hold a decent conversation. He’d really like to find out.
But not tonight. Tonight he’d work out, eat, and watch the game. Then he’d go to bed like he always did – alone – and get up tomorrow and start all over. Tomorrow evening he’d smile and nod, and she’d smile back and look down at her feet. Then same song, second verse.
Like always.
CHAPTER THREE
“W e’ll get those delivered tomorrow morning for you. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, I think that’s everything. She’s going to love them!” the young man said, grinning from ear to ear as he turned to leave.
“If she doesn’t, you let us know right away and we’ll make it right,” Nikki replied. “Have a great afternoon.”
Nikki turned a bit and noticed the young woman in the far corner. “Miss, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Uh, yeah. I need something for my girlfriend,” she said, caressing a large pink rose.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Our anniversary,” the girl offered. She was petite and lovely, with long, dark hair, golden skin, and soft brown eyes that lit up when she mentioned their special day.
“First? Or long time?”
“We’ve been together for five years,” the girl replied, looking at a crystal vase.
“Well, congratulations to you both! What’s her favorite color?”
“Lavender.”
“I think I might have just the thing. Let me get them.” From the cooler, Nikki brought out an armload of something wrapped in tissue. She opened the tissue to reveal a dozen exquisite lavender-colored roses. “Whaddya think? Think she’d like these?”
“Oh, my god, she’d love those! Maybe in this vase? With some other stuff in them, you know, those little white things . . .”
“Baby’s breath? Of course. And some fern. We can do it up right nice. I think you’ll be pleased,” Nikki smiled at her. “So let’s get some information and get started. Your name?”
“Annabeth Walters,” the girl replied.
“And they’re going to . . .”
“Katie Reynolds. 451 Thrush Lane.”
“Oh, she’s my neighbor! I live on Bluejay Lane.”
“Really? We’ve lived over there for the last four years, ever since we had our ceremony.”
“Commitment ceremony? Wedding?”
“Well, we call it our wedding, but it was a commitment ceremony. You know Kentucky’s not that progressive!” Annabeth laughed.
“Don’t I know it!” Nikki was impressed with the young woman. She exuded self-confidence. “You’re so lucky to find each other.”
“Thanks! Yeah, I don’t know what I’d do without Katie.” A wistful smile stretched across Annabeth’s face. “She’s smart and funny and beautiful. And she understands me better than anyone.”
“Everyone deserves to have someone like that,” Nikki said thoughtfully, pulling the crystal vase from the shelf and putting it with the order slip.
“You’re the flower shop lady. You’re in the business of making love
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