Arthur Cain has removed himself from a social life littered with mistakes and unhappiness. When a freak April snowstorm hits, he just wants to stock up on the basics so he can get back to writing his thesis. Samuel Richards is a musician with a wicked sense of humor and he knows how to use it. The last thing he expected was to have it save him when he heads out for supplies and everything falls apart. The storm sends both to the grocery store, but neither had a βdateβ on their shopping list.
Itβs one disaster after another for Samuel, but the history student comes to his rescue. If only Arthur was as good dealing with live men as he was with dead Vikings.
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With some effort, he finally squeezed through the traffic snarl and reached for the last loaf of bread right as another hand closed in on it. His gaze flew to the man beside him. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, like Arthur, but taller and lankier. His brown hair was curly and long-ish, sticking up every which way. He had brown eyes and scruffy facial hair. His grin nearly made Arthur let go of the bread.
βUhm, I think this was mine,β the cute guy said, tugging on the loaf.
βNo, pretty sure it was mine,β Arthur protested, tightening his grip. He always rewarded a particularly productive dayβs work with grilled cheese and tomato soup.
βYou could get raisin bread,β the other guy suggested.
βEww, you canβt make grilled cheese with raisin bread.β
βSure you can. Just think, melty cheddar with raisin bread. Mmm.β
On second thought, maybe that didnβt sound so bad. However ... βStill gross with tomato soup,β Arthur pointed out, gesturing to the half dozen cans in his cart with the hand that wasnβt clutching the bread.
The other guy made a face but didnβt let go. βFair enough.β
Arthur tugged at the loaf gently. βSo youβre going to give me the bread?β
The other guy laughed, leaning against the shelves as if he was getting comfortable. βNope.β
βUhmββ Arthur mentally calculated how long the storm would last and the number of slices heβd need before then ββwe could split the loaf.β
βFine. You let me have the loaf, Iβll pay for it, and we can split it after we go through the register.β
Arthur hesitated. βI really need this bread. How do I know you wonβt disappear with my half?β He shook his head. βNo deal.β
βBut if there can be no arrangement, then we are at an impasse.β
Arthur broke into a grin. βAre you quoting Princess Bride to me?β
βMaybe.β The answering grin was cheeky.