My December Darling

by Lauren Asher

I might like Luke’s touch. I might even like the way he smells like sandalwood and leather from the jacket he is currently wearing over a plain black Henley and jeans. But I dislike Luke the person. He’s annoyingly friendly, frustratingly thoughtful, and the kind of guy who could inspire a future comic book superhero, thanks to both his muscles and his commitment to helping others.

Despite the pep talk I gave myself during the walk over to the restaurant about being on my best behavior and acting like a mature man in my early thirties, the moment I saw Catalina, all bets were off.

I slipped up when I called Catalina by her full name. She probably thought I did it strictly because I like to annoy her, but I just think her name is beautiful.

The waitress interrupts the table’s conversation by asking for our orders. Everyone but me, the guy who didn’t look at the menu because he was too focused on the beautiful, irritated brunette sitting across from him, knows what they want to eat, so I pick the first thing I see.

Most people in town call Catalina an ice queen, but everyone has a melting point. I just haven’t found hers yet.

“I find you…” “Yes?” I lean in toward her, my breath catching in my throat as I wait for what she might say. “Repugnant,”

The little she-devil across from me sits back in her seat with a satisfied smirk, and my heart trips at the sight. I’m not sure what kind of hold she has over me, but her presence is screwing with my head.

Tonight, I didn’t only make Catalina Martinez laugh, but smile twice, and I’ll be damned because I’m already looking forward to when I can do it again.

Well, shit. I shouldn’t be turned on by the scary look on her face, but the devious smirk does something for me.

“If you wanted me on my knees for the full effect, all you needed to do was ask.”

“Making the most of two weeks with you seems better than spending a lifetime wondering what could’ve been.”