Free Slap Shot by Rhonda Laurel

knew he needed something great to get him out of the doghouse with Charisma’s grandmother. The bouquet looked great, but just to be sure he’d win her over, he visited the Belgium chocolatier next door and got the biggest box they sold. Her grandmother was right. He should have insisted that he pick her up at her home. The last thing he wantedwas for the Reed family to think he had poor manners.
    He thought about his decision to ask her out while driving to her place. He was accustomed to being raked over the coals about his love life, but the media weren’t being as kind to her. They cast the events as if Derek the rascal was at it again, while Charisma, just barely surviving from her public drama with Lamont, was a professionalgold digger who’d moved on to another sport to land another man. It didn’t matter that Derek had gone on record to refute the story.
    The GPS announced he’d arrived at his destination, so he parked in front of the house. It was a lovely, picturesque suburban home. He could imagine Charisma, Jared, and Morgan running around the yard when they were kids. Flower arrangement and chocolates inhand, he bounded up the stairs. He could see his reflection in a decorative ornament hanging on the door, so he ran a hand through his hair and adjusted his tie. He then rang the doorbell. He hadn’t been this nervous about a date in a long time.
    Charisma opened the door and she looked stunning.
    “Hi, Derek. Right on time.” Charisma gave him a nervous smile.
    He stood there fora moment, unable to speak. He’d seen her dressed to kill before, but she looked different tonight. She looked sexy in the understated plum-colored, spaghetti-strapped dress and pair of strappy heels. Her hair was pinned up with sparkly jeweled barrettes, and her makeup was more subtle than she normally wore it. Still at a loss for words, he held the flowers up like an idiot.
    A voice camefrom inside the house. “Is that your young man?”
    “I think so, but he hasn’t said a word yet,” Charisma responded.
    “Oh. Sorry.” He shook his head. “These are for your grandmother.” He handed her the bouquet and box of chocolates.
    Charisma smiled. “How beautiful. She’s going to love this.”
    “And this is for you.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a single red rose.
    “Thank you.” She turned around. “Grandma, I’d like to you to meet Derek Popovich. Derek, this is my grandma.”
    He flashed his best smile at the elderly woman. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Reed. I can see where Charisma gets her looks. I hope you like Belgium chocolate.”
    “Oh, my.” She giggled as Charisma handed her the items. “I love good chocolate and good-looking men.Charisma, get Derek something to drink.” She turned back to Derek. “You can stay for a moment before you take my Charisma out?”
    “Yes. I’d like that.” The nervousness Derek felt began to fade away. He was determined that by the time he left, Grandma Reed was going to be his new best friend.
     
     
    Charisma balked at how quickly Grandma Reed’s stance on Derek changed once hecame through the door with flowers, expensive candy, and flirty words. But she’d forgive the blatant attempt to butter her grandmother up because he looked so good in that black suit. It fit him like a glove. She could see the definition of his arms through the jacket, and the shirt hardly concealed the six-pack abs. Stylish, well-dressed, and dashing were all good words to describe Derek. But sexyand dangerous also came to mind.
    Despite the fact that she wanted to remain in the room and be nosey, she obeyed her grandmother’s request to get refreshments. Grandma didn’t mince words, so there was no telling what she would say to Derek before Charisma returned to the living room. She went into the kitchen and put the flowers in one of the nice vases from the cupboard and filled it withwater. Satisfied with the arrangement, she retrieved the pitcher of