Read Soft Serve Sweetie (Plus Size Romance 2) for Free Online

looked through the peep hole.  The woman on his stoop was so short and slight of build, he had looked over her head and nearly missed her—a petite Hispanic woman—who appeared to be in her early twenties.
    Opening the door, he gave her a quizzical look.  He was not in the mood for chitchat, and he sure as hell wasn’t interested in whatever she was selling.  She was probably some religious fanatic bearing witness to his eternal damnation.  Well, too late.  He was already in hell.
    He watched as her lips pulled back into a thousand-watt smile, revealing rows of tiny white teeth.  “Usted es el hombre que no deja de caer por los agujeros de mi atrapasueños.”
    “Pardon?”
    “Forgive me, please.  I have spent much time in Mexico lately.  I sometimes forget to speak English here. “I said, ‘You are the man who keeps falling through the holes of my dreamcatcher.’”
    “Of course. That makes perfect sense,” he said, not trying to mask the sarcasm in his voice.  “Are you feeling all right? Maybe I should call someone to come get you.”
    “Why would you do that? I am Gabriela Vega.  I have come to see your wife.”
    Zane frowned. He felt like his grey matter was being twisted into a pretzel.  “Lady, you’ve got the wrong person.  I’m a bachelor, single, unattached, unmarried, foot loose and fancy free, comprender?”
    “Are you not Señor Zane Barrett?”
    Zane was becoming more confused by the minute.  “I am.”
    “Bueno! Then you are the right man.  But something here is not right.  You should be married to my best friend by now.  I saw your nuptials in my dream.  You were so happy, and Cherry was so beautiful.  She was glowing as only a pregnant woman can.  I came here to congratulate her.”
    Zane felt dizzy as beads of sweat popped out on his forehead.
    “Señor, you do not look so well.  Come, let us go inside your casa.  We will sit and talk.”
    Still stunned and shaken, Zane plopped down on the sofa and motioned for Gabriela to take a seat in the chair across from him. After taking a few deep breaths, he felt more in control of his thoughts.
    “Look, Miss Vega, I appreciate you coming all this way to visit Cherry.  I’m sure she’ll be pleased to see you.  But no congratulations are in order here.”
    She shook her head.  “I do not understand.  You took her innocence, did you not?”
    Heat crawled up his neck.  “Did you see that in your dreams as well?”
    She giggled.  “Do not be silly, Officer Barrett.  Your bride—I mean Cherry—told me.”
    He ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation.  “Did she also tell you I was merely a means to an end? That she wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship with me?”
    “No.  I am afraid she has not told me anything in weeks.  I have been dealing with my loco father and his failing jalapeño farm.  It was only yesterday I realized so much time had passed since she and I had talked.  I tried to call her mobile phone, but she did not answer.  Last night, I dreamed once more of her wedding and figured she was busy with her new husband.  I felt an overwhelming urge to come and see her.  I wanted to wish her well, to place my hand on her belly and bless the life inside.”
    This woman was giving Zane a headache.  He was beginning to think her father wasn’t the only one in her family who was loco.  “I appreciate your efforts, Miss Vega, but there was no wedding.  And I’m damn sure there will be no child.  I—”
    “Fine,” she said, sounding defensive.  “The two of you have not been wed, yet.  But my dreams are never wrong.  Tell me, Mr. Barrett, did you sheath your manhood before taking my friend to bed?”
    All the color drained from his face.  “No.”
    “And why not?”
    Zane stood and began pacing.  Several good reasons or, more accurately, rationalizations for not using protection ran through his mind.  First, their consummation had been spontaneous.  He had only intended