She Bumps Into Him At Target, Not Knowing The Apologetic Stranger Is A Billionaire Who’ll Fall Fast
A Fateful Collision at Target
The cart collision echoed through the homegoods aisle. It was followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering against Target’s polished floor. Avery Owens froze, mortified, as she stared at the broken picture frames now scattered at her feet. She looked at the impeccably dressed man whose cart she had just rammed into.
“I’m so sorry,” Avery exclaimed, already crouching down to gather the larger glass pieces.
“I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
The man knelt beside her, his expensive watch catching the fluorescent light.
“Please don’t worry about it. It was as much my fault.”
His voice was deep and carried a trace of an accent she couldn’t place. When Avery looked up, she found herself staring into the most striking gray eyes she’d ever seen. The man smiled, revealing a slight dimple in his right cheek.
“I’m Vincent Callaway,” he said, extending his hand. “And I insist on paying for the broken items.”
Avery shook his hand, trying to ignore the electric tingle that shot up her arm.
“Avery Owens. And that’s really not necessary.”
A Target employee approached with a broom and dustpan.
“Is everyone all right? Any cuts?”
“We’re fine,” Vincent answered, standing to his full height of at least six feet tall.
“I’d like to pay for the damaged merchandise.”
While the employee took inventory of the broken items, Avery noticed Vincent’s attire. He wore a simple black sweater that probably cost more than her entire outfit. His tailored pants and leather shoes gleamed under the lights. He didn’t belong in Target on a Tuesday afternoon.
“What brings you here?” Avery asked, attempting small talk to ease her embarrassment.
Vincent smiled. “Would you believe me if I said I needed kitchen towels?”
“Kitchen towels?” Avery laughed. “You don’t seem like someone who spends much time in the kitchen.”
“You’d be surprised.”
His phone buzzed, and he checked it with a frown.
“I’m sorry, but I need to take this. It was nice meeting you, Avery Owens, despite the circumstances.”
Before she could respond, he had already moved toward the register with the phone to his ear. He was speaking in what sounded like fluent Italian.
Avery sighed, continuing her shopping. It was just her luck to make a fool of herself in front of the most attractive man she’d encountered in months. She grabbed the last items on her list and headed to the checkout, trying to put the encounter behind her.
As she loaded her purchases into her beat-up Honda Civic, a sleek black Range Rover pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Vincent’s face.
“Excuse me, Avery?”
She nearly dropped her bag of paper towels.
“Yes?”
“I believe this fell into my cart during our collision.” He held out her wallet, which must have slipped from her purse.
“Oh my god, thank you.” Avery took it, checking that her cards were still inside.
“I hadn’t even noticed it was missing.”
“No problem.” He hesitated, then said, “This might sound forward, but would you like to have coffee sometime to make up for the incident?”
Avery blinked, surprised. “I should be the one making it up to you.”
“Then it’s settled. You owe me coffee.”
His smile made her heart skip.
“Tomorrow, there’s a place called Grounds for Thought on Maple Street.”
“I know it well. I’ll be there at 5:00, after work.”
Avery couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth.
“Perfect.” Vincent nodded. “See you then, Avery Owens.”
