All I've Never Wanted(110)

Everyone had three tries, and the first two times, Roman struck out. The third time, though, the dime landed squarely in the middle of the plate.

“Yes!” I jumped with delight, eyeing all those big, fluffy stuffed animals that just screamed “take me home!”

“Which stuffed animal would you like?” the operator asked, his smile growing even wider as he looked at me.

“Um.” I pursed my lips in concentration. “The frog. No! The unicorn…wait, no! Is that a horse?”

“Maya, just pick one. There’s a line,” Roman said rather impatiently.

His personality may have improved a bit but he still had a ways to go.

“This is a very important decision,” I insisted, torn. “Fine. I’ll take the…” My eyes landed on the adorable pink animal. “I’ll take the pig!”

I beamed as the man plucked the giant pig from where it hung and placed it in my arms. I sighed, hugging it happily. It was so soft and cuddly.

“Out of all the animals, you had to choose the pig?” Roman shook his head in disbelief. He glanced at the pig then looked at me. “Although I guess it makes sense, considering how much it resembles you.”

I gasped. “Take that back!”

“I don’t think I will,” he replied nonchalantly, walking ahead of me. “I think I’m going to get some more popcorn instead.”

I ran to catch up with him. “So you’re really not going to take it back?”

“Nope.”

“Fine.” I shoved the stuffed animal in his arms, a small smirk on my face. “You’re holding this for me the rest of the night then.”

“Uh, I don’t think so,” he said scornfully, staring with disdain at the stuffed porcine. “There’s no way in hell you can make me carry this around.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Do it or I’m not kissing you again,” I threatened.

Fifteen minutes later, I was happily munching on a new bag of popcorn while Roman trailed after me, the pig in his arms and a scowl on his face.

I looked back at him, grinning at how adorable he looked, even though he looked like he wanted to murder me. A group of girls passed by, bursting into giggles at the sight of a hot, leather-jacketed guy carrying a big pink pig.

“I’m going to make you pay for this,” Roman warned me, his face red. “For real, this time.”

I was unfazed. “Yeah, yeah. Are there any more games you want to play?” I was getting a bit tired. Boy, carnivals can really wear a girl out.

He immediately shook his head, obviously not wanting to be embarrassed any further. “You want to go?”

“Yep.”

We were halfway to the car when I accidentally bumped into a passing, older couple. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” I cried, while Roman chuckled behind me, obviously amused by my klutziness.

“Just watch where you’re going next time,” the woman snapped, turning away from the distinguished gray-haired man she was with to face me.

My heart stopped when I saw her. The long blonde hair, the sharp features, the petite body. Even though I’ve only seen her for about five minutes max in the past, I could never forget that face.

It was Lexi. The woman my dad cheated on my mom with.

CHAPTER 25

My blood ran cold even as anger heated up my stomach at the sight of Lexi’s smug face.

I was so shocked and furious I was literally shaking, but my feet were rooted to the ground as she turned to walk away with the man by her side.


Probably another happily married man she’s seduced, I thought, clenching my hands into fists.

“Want me to go scare her a little?” Roman’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I can’t hit her, obviously, but I can be quite intimidating if I want to.”

I looked up at him, cracking a tiny smile at the serious expression on his face. “Thanks, but I can handle it,” I said, my voice hard.

Without waiting for a reply, I stormed over to where she’d stopped at a food vendor. Resisting the urge to yank her around and bitch slap her, I settled for a rough tap, almost a push, on the shoulder instead.

Lexi whipped around, looking annoyed. “Oh, it’s you again. What do you want?” she asked.

“Why?” I demanded.

She stared at me like I was crazy, while her date just looked confused. She didn’t recognize me. Not that I expected her to, considering I’ve only seen her once and she probably hadn’t gotten a good look at the crazy crying girl running out of the restaurant that night.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said coolly.

I crossed my arms over my chest. Bitch slap. Now! my mind yelled at me, but I held back. I felt Roman come up behind me, his scent calming me down a little, but to my surprise, the man Lexi was with broke out into a smile.

“Roman! How are you?” he asked jovially, holding out one hand.

Both Lexi and I turned to stare at Roman, who now had a polite smile on his face. It looked jarringly out of place next to the giant pink pig in his arms. “Mr. Henderson, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said, reaching out to take the man’s hand.

Wait. He knew him?

“How is your father? I haven’t spoken to him since we had that business summit in Switzerland,” Mr. Henderson said, shaking Roman’s hand.