“You feel chill?” he asks amusedly as he grabs the milk. “Maybe that’s from the fridge door being open.”
I give him a hardy har look. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I know, but I couldn’t resist.” He grabs a carton of milk and lets the door close behind him.
“I’m just stressed out a lot.” And apparently being Miss Honesty tonight.
“Yeah, me, too,” he agrees as if the statement deeply puzzles him. “I’m not tonight, though.”
“Maybe two stressful basket cases cancel each other out?” I suggest, sticking out my fist. “Fist-bump for that.”
He taps knuckles with me right as his phone beeps. “I think that’s our car. How about we pay and get the hell out of here?”
I nod, and then we make our way to the cash register. On our way, he grabs a pair of tweezers so we can remove the sliver from my finger.
While waiting in line, River gets a text message from someone and becomes distracted with sending a reply. I start to grow paranoid, glancing at all the faces around, searching for Drew in the midst.
“Ellie?” someone abruptly asks from right beside me.
I wouldn’t have reacted, but they’re so close that I startle.
When I glance behind me, I find a middle-aged man with dark hair and eyes standing in line. He has on a crisp suit that screams royal. So does his watch and ring. What I don’t understand, though, is why he’s in this grocery store. And why did he just say my aunt’s name. Unless it’s a coincidence. Ellie is a relatively normal name.
“Um, no, sorry,” I tell him when he continues to gawk at me.
“Oh, sorry.” He stares at me as if I’m some rare unicorn standing in front of him in all of her glittery form. “Jesus, you look so much like her. It’s startling.”
I offer him a tight smile then start to turn away.
But then he adds, “Is your last name Clairford?”
I pause then twist back to face him. “Why?” I wonder suspiciously.
“I used to date a woman named Ellie Clairford,” he explains. “You look just like her. Or, well, how she used to look back when I dated. It’s been years since I’ve even seen her.”
“Is everything okay?” River asks as he puts his phone away. He inches closer to me, something he seems to do frequently when he believes I’m in danger.
“Yeah.” I study the guy closely. “This guy used to date my aunt.”
River glances at the guy, and recognition clicks across his face. “I know you. You attend events with my parents. You own that law firm, right?”
“A few of them.” The guy remains fixated on me.
I’m aware that I resemble my aunt, but he acts like he’s dumbfounded by the similarities.
“My name’s Grey.” He sticks out his hand, as if he expects me to shake it.
Instead, I eye it dubiously. “Um, okay. Maybe you’re being friendly, but I’m not about to hand over my name or shake the hand of some rando. No offense.”
His brows dip, but the corners of his mouth twitch. “You’re just like her, too. It’s so crazy. Have you guys spent a lot of time together?”
I give the guy an incredulous look. Does he really expect me to answer these questions?
“It was nice talking to you, but we need to go,” River interrupts, placing a hand on my arm.
I easily let him lead me toward the register.
Grey doesn’t comment, but he watches me the entire time the cashier is ringing up our food. By the time we exit the grocery store, I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my skin. Thankfully, our car is parked out front and waiting for us. We hurriedly climb in, and I slump in the seat in relief.
