Harvey: Eye Candy Ink: Second Generation, #2

By Shaw Hart

Harvey Warner might have lost it.

His mind, that is. 

His heart he just willingly gave away as soon as his eyes landed on the curvy chef working in her food truck outside of Eye Candy Ink one night. 

In his defense, he's never been great at talking to women, but now that he's met the girl of his dreams, the stakes are higher than ever, so blurting out his name and the cheesiest pick-up line ever isn't a great start to their relationship. 

The only saving grace is that the voluptuous chef seems to find his clumsy attempt at flirting endearing.

The pick-up lines shouldn't work on anyone, but somehow Coraline seems to kind of dig it.

Will pursuing Coraline ruin everything? Or will he finally get the happily ever after that he's been dreaming about ever since he first laid eyes on her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaw Hart
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223169758

Book preview

One

Harvey

Do you want us to wait and walk you out? Banks is still here but he’s got another hour or so with his client, I tell Maxine as Rooney and I lean against her office doorframe.

No, that’s okay. Ames drove me to work this morning and he just texted to say that he was almost done grabbing groceries and he’s going to swing by and pick me up.

Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow, I say before we both wave and head toward the front door.

We pass Ames as we head out and he nods, giving both of us a light punch on the shoulder.

Hey, guys, how’s it going? he asks.

Pretty good, I say, shifting the backpack in my hands to my shoulder.

Is Maxine almost finished up in there? he asks and I shake my head with a grin.

I doubt it. The computer went down around lunch, so she’s working on getting caught up with that, Rooney tells him.

Great, he groans and I laugh as I head out the door.

I’ll see you tomorrow, I call as Rooney and I head down the sidewalk toward my parked car in the lot across from Eye Candy Ink.

Rooney has been my best friend since birth. Literally. Our parents are best friends and we were raised together. We’re also roommates and so I drive us to work most days. Rooney has gotten more than his share of tickets and he’s also terrifying to ride around with, so it works out for both of us.

The two of us could probably pass as twins with our lanky frames, messy dark brown hair, blue eyes, and dark tattoos. That’s where the similarities end though.

I’m the dreamer of the two of us and Rooney is the prankster. We balance each other out since I tend to take things too seriously sometimes and Rooney hardly ever does.

We’re almost to my car when the wind shifts and the scent of fried meat and spices hits my nose. My stomach growls, and I look over to Rooney. Without saying anything to each other, we both change directions and head over to the far side of the parking lot.

There’s a food truck parked there that I’ve never seen before but if the smells coming from it and the line of people waiting to order are any indication, I’ll be stopping here every night after work.

We stop at the back of the line and scan the menu on the side of the truck. It looks like this place serves fancy comfort food and while I don’t know half of the ingredients listed on the board, it all sounds good. Tonight’s special is chicken and waffles, and my stomach growls again as a customer walks by with a takeout box.

The food truck is called The Culinerdy Cruiser and the name is stretched across the side of the pale blue truck, done to make it look like it was graffitied in bright bold colors. The artist in me likes it and I laugh at the name, looking up right as the girl working inside of the truck turns around.

My heart stops for one brief second and then takes off like a shot. She’s passing the customer a takeout box and she gives him a smile. She looks up, her eyes locking on mine for just a minute and I almost lose my balance.

Oh shit. Is this it?

I grew up listening to my dad tell me that he took one look at my mom, Darcy, and just knew that she was it for him. My Uncle Mischa used to tell us that falling for his wife, Indie, just snuck up on him. I always used to wonder how I would fall. Would it be like my dad or like Uncle Mischa?

Looks like it’s going to be like my dad.

My food truck girl, she’s gorgeous. Even flushed from the heat, she’s perfect with her platinum blonde hair twisted up into a messy bun and sticking out of the back of her baseball hat. It’s hard to tell how tall she is with the truck window only showing her from mid-torso and up, but she seems petite.

Her eyes are the clearest blue and they twinkle in the lights from the nearby streetlights. She gives me a little nod, a shy smile on her lips before she turns back to the grill and I think if I hadn’t fallen in love with her at the first look, I definitely would have after that.

Rooney. She’s mine, I whisper and he straightens next to me, looking over at the girl who has captured my attention.

He knows without me elaborating what I’m talking about. I guess growing up together and being best friends will do that. We’re like an old married couple who don’t need words to communicate.

Are you sure? he asks, studying my girl, and I nod.

Positive.

I spend the rest of my time waiting in line, studying her. She’s efficient, taking orders and making food like she was born to do it. By the time it’s my turn, I’ve already run through a million different opening lines.

Maybe that’s why it’s so disappointing when I get to the front of the line and open my mouth only for Hi, I’m Harvey. What’s your name? And are you a fan of shotgun weddings? to come out.

Oh my god, Rooney groans, taking a step away from me like he’s afraid that he might get second-hand embarrassment.

The girl blinks at me and then to my, and I’m sure Rooney’s, complete surprise, throws her head back and laughs. The sound is rich and wraps around me like a blanket leaving me feeling warm and at ease.

That was a good one, Harvey. It’s definitely the most creative pick-up line I’ve ever heard before.

Oh my god. She’s just as crazy as you, Rooney mumbles to himself and I want to glare at him but I refuse to take my eyes off my girl.

I’m Coraline and this is my truck. What can I get for you two?

Rooney hurries to order tonight’s special and I ask for the same thing then step to the side and watch her as she works.

Did you just open this truck? I haven’t seen you around here before, I ask, trying to strike up a conversation. I want to learn everything about her.

"Yeah, I used to be over in New York but my best friend just moved here and she