Vinny! I'm so pleased with how this moodboard turned out, the colour really sings - thank you to the lovely Greg Tarzan Davis for looking gorge in green 💚 Also a warning - Javy is a menace in this 😜
At last, you’d found the remaining item on your shopping list, hidden away at the back of the store, after searching high and low through the aisles.
You couldn’t make this up. There was only one pack left. You’d be sure to mention that to your sister at the party later so she would give you extra auntie points. You’d make it sound like you went on a perilous mission to track down your little nephew’s favourite brand of lime-flavoured water (you almost got hit by a stray shopping cart in the parking lot, so you wouldn’t even be exaggerating).
You rushed down the drinks aisle and reached out to grab the six-pack of bottles. Except your fingers didn’t meet plastic. They met skin.
You drew back, apologised to the person beside you, and reached out again, only for the same thing to happen.
“I’m sorry,” you said, a little briskly. “Let me grab this pack of water and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Woah – not so fast. I saw it first.”
“Excuse me?” You looked up to face your opponent, curious to see what sort of person would be so childish. You’d expected to find an entitled teen, but you were way off the mark. Apparently, this guy was a drop-dead gorgeous knitwear model.
“I was in this aisle first,” he argued. “I’d already have that water in my basket if it weren’t for you swatting my hand out of the way.”
Finders keepers? That was his reasoning? He could not be serious.
“I didn’t swat your hand out of the way. And it doesn’t matter if you were in the aisle first. We’re not playing supermarket sweep. Now, if you don’t mind…”
You went to snatch the pack, but the man sidestepped to block you.
You scowled at him. Not even his perfectly sculpted jaw, pretty eyes or ridiculous neon green sweater could deter you from your mission. You were going to get these bottles, come hell or high water. Pun intended.
Time to change tactics. Play on the heartstrings.
“Look. They aren’t even for me, they’re for my little nephew. Propel water is his favourite.”
“Nice try. But they’re for my niece. Because Propel is her favourite.”
“How convenient,” you said, rolling your eyes.
The man touched his chest in mock offence. “I’m not sure what you’re accusing me of, but lying about my beloved niece’s proclivity for lime-flavoured water is a line I would never cross.”
“How old is your nephew?”
“And you’ll just say a lower number to make me feel bad.”
You scoffed. “Now who’s making unfounded accusations?”
“Or we could brawl for it?”
You considered the prospect for a moment, wondering if you could take him. Your nails were pretty long. But you had a feeling that sweater was hiding a multitude of muscles. So you caved.
“He’s five.” “She’s five.” You said in unison.
The man groaned. “Dammit. I really thought I would have you there.”
“We could split the pack?”
It was a fair offer. Probably the best you’d get.
“Sure. Meet me outside in ten and I’ll give you half the bottles,” you said, dodging around him and grabbing the water.
“Hold on a second. How do I know you’re not going to run off with them after you pay? I’m done shopping anyway. And I’m willing to bet you are too.”
Annoyingly, he was right. You grumbled the affirmative and began to make your way through the store with Neon Man in tow.
You reached the checkout and he let you go first in line, even helping you to unload your basket, much to your surprise.
“I do have some gentlemanly qualities you know,” he claimed, before hauling the pack of water onto the belt.
Your expression flickered with amusement until he looked you dead in the eye and pointedly placed a divider before and after the precious bottles.
You paid and then separately handed the cashier half the amount needed for the water. Mr Neon paid the other half and insisted on packing your bags while you tore the plastic from around the bottles and divvied up the winnings.
He even carried your shopping to your car and wished you a good day, as if the pair of you hadn’t been at loggerheads less than 10 minutes earlier. You tried to fight it, but you couldn’t help yourself from smiling as you thought of him all the way to your sister’s house.
You certainly weren’t expecting to ever see him again.
But a few hours later, he strolled into your little nephew’s birthday party accompanied by an angelically cute five-year-old girl, brandishing a gift wrapped in jet-patterned paper and three bottles of lime Propel.
“Well well well, this is a surprise,” he drawled as you gawked. “If it isn’t my arch nemesis.”
Your cheeks felt warm. You tried to speak, but you’d been completely blindsided.
“You seem a little parched – can I interest you in a drink?” he asked mischievously. His smile was sincere though. “I hear lime water is particularly good for quenching a thirst.”
A laugh bubbled from your chest and his grin only brightened. You were thirsty alright. Thirsty for him.
His young niece looked between you and signed knowingly.
“Uncle Javy, can I go play while you stay here and flirt?”
