Taking Chances: Chapter Twenty-Six
Some things can’t be denied.
Don’t hold back.
Take a chance.
When Jules’ best friend introduced her to the gorgeous new owner of the produce stand, something happened. His kind smile let her feel emotions she’d bottled up inside for two years.
Olly has managed to avoid relationships for way too long. When he met Jules, he didn’t even think about the possibilities. His mom did, though.
Lola and Ryan are the very definition of yin and yang, but a moment of kismet is about to change all their plans.
They’re ready to explore beyond the instant attraction.
Taking Chances is a small-town romance serial. New chapters are added monthly.
Just like your favorite TV series, characters will come and go.
The best part about the serial is that you decide what happens next.
At the end of every chapter, you’ll find an author’s note with a question. Your answer will help me write the next chapter.
*Note: This serial will always be free.
Ryan
“Hey, earth to Ryan.” Caleb waved his hand in front of my face.
“What?” I lifted my head. We were in the back stock room at The Market, taking a lunch break.
“What’s distracting you?” Cal pointed at the phone in my hand. “I’ve said your name like five times.”
“Sorry, um, it’s nothing.” I quickly shoved my phone into my back pocket. “What’s up?”
“Want to go hunting with me this weekend?” Cal laughed.
“Hunting? You hate being outside. When did you start hunting?” Not that we were best friends or anything, but the guy made it very clear on several occasions that he hated doing anything that involved being outside.
“Just checking to see if you’re listening now.” He lightly punched my arm.
“Funny.” I rolled my eyes and crumpled up the paper that held my sandwich.
“Not to get all touchy-feely, but what is distracting you?” He took a drink of his soda. “Is it that girl you’re dating?”
“Maybe.” I sighed. “Okay, yeah, it is.”
“I thought you said things were great?”
“They are.” I sat up and rested my hands on my thighs. “It’s weird. I don’t know…”
“Weird, how?” He threw away the wrappers from his lunch. “Either it’s a thing or it’s not.”
“It is.” I stood up. “I feel like we’ve been together for a while, and yet, it’s only been a couple of weeks.”
“So, weird, because it feels too good to be true?” He shrugged.
“Pretty much.” I grabbed my apron. “I’m not unhappy. It’s just a lot to process.”
“Just have fun, man.” He slapped his hand against my back a couple of times. “Stop making it something it’s not.”
“Fair enough.” I nodded and left the stock room.
When I met Lola, I knew I wanted to spend every moment with her, and we had not even been introduced yet. There was just something about her that I couldn’t explain.
Then, when Jules introduced us, I don’t know. Lola was even better.
Instant attraction was not something I believed in. In my world, you had to do the legwork to get to know each other before solidifying a decision about the person.
Then I met Lola, and that belief shifted.
Talking to her felt natural, easy, and fun.
“Hi.” It was her.
I inhaled sharply and lifted my head. “Lola. Um, hi.”
“Jules said you were in the back taking a lunch break.” She smiled.
We were standing a few feet apart from each other. I wanted to reach for her hand and pull her into my arms, but we were in a busy market. I had to keep my emotions in check.
“Yeah, yeah, I was.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “This is unexpected.”
“Is that okay?” Her smile fell, and she took a step back.
Fuck it, I didn’t care that we were in the middle of the market. I stepped forward and grabbed her hand to tug her into my arms. “More than okay.”
“Oh, good.” She rested her hands on my chest. “You seem off. Is something wrong?” She brushed her hands back and forth over my chest and played with the strap on my apron.
“Actually, you up for the truth.” I sighed.
“It seems big. Let me brace myself.” She giggled.
“You’re cute.” I beeped her nose.
“Only for you.” She winked and pushed her hand against my chest. “Tell me.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you.” When I said the sentence, she visibly relaxed against my chest. “I feel like we’ve been together for months, and yet, it’s only been weeks.” I reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
“Like me?” She whispered.
“Someone who makes me this incredibly happy.” I wrapped my hand around hers and squeezed. “I want to be with you all the time, but I was afraid to tell you that because I didn’t want you to see me as too needy and push me away.”
“Do you want to meet my parents tonight?” She blurted out the words and threw her hand over her mouth.
“Um…” I burst out laughing.
“Sorry, that just slipped out.” We were both laughing now.
“Yes,” I said around my laughter. “I would love to meet them.”
Her face went still. “Really? It’s not too soon?”
“For what? Meeting your parents.” I scowled. “Is there some rule book out there that says you can’t introduce me to them just yet?”
“I mean, maybe, no, I have no idea.” She dropped her head against my chest.
“Haven’t we already failed on several other things in that rule book? Like falling this hard for each other in a short amount of time.” I tickled her side. “Why don’t you just burn the damn thing?” She gasped. “Hey, I think what we’re doing is way more fun than any rule book.”
“It is more fun.” She pushed against my body and wrapped her hands around my neck.
“Lola. Ryan. Hi.” Jules was standing a few feet away.
I quickly stepped back and shoved my hands in my pants pockets. “Um, hi, Jules.” I looked over at Lola. “I finish at four. I’ll see you later.” I nodded at both women and practically ran up front to produce.
“Ryan,” Jules yelled.
I stopped and glanced over my shoulder. “Yeah.”
“Your shift ends at three-thirty.” She winked and walked away.
I looked over at Lola and smiled before making my way to the produce section.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Well, those two lovebirds are having way too much fun. I wonder what Lola’s mom will make for dinner tonight for the special occasion. You know she’s going to go all out because she’s that excited.