“You’re buying cookies for my mom?”
I shrugged. “I just thought you’d like to take them over to her. Who doesn’t like cookies?” I went to hand cash to the clerk behind the counter, but was stopped by Xavier’s arm.
“I got this,” he said as he handed the clerk his card.
“Why? It’s supposed to be a gift.”
“Oh, well, I’ll tell her it’s from you.” He tossed me a wink.
I grabbed the boxes from the counter. “Fine, but I’m eating the rest of that cookie.” I snatched the one he’d taken a bite of.
“That’s fine. I ate your cookies last night anyway.”
My eyes bulged, and I nearly choked on the bite I’d taken. I couldn’t even respond before we were interrupted.
“Ms. Chanel!” I heard my name and turned to see a familiar face.
“Noah?” I’d remember that face anywhere.
“Hi!” He waved before looking over at Xavier. He scrunched his face, as if trying to recall where he remembered Xavier from.
“Noah, where’s your mo—?”
“Noah! You know better than to run off—” Anne Marie’s scolding abruptly stopped when she noticed Noah was talking to me. “Chanel.” Her voice was full of surprise, and then I saw panic rise in her eyes. Her eyes slid over to Xavier as he stood beside me, and the recognition on her face was immediate.
“Anne Marie, how are you?” I questioned, bringing her attention back to me.
“She’s fine,” a male voice responded.
The man appeared to be about five-eight, dark brown hair, medium build. He looked a few years older than Anne Marie. He was handsome, but the look in his eyes told me he could also be dangerous. I knew this was Michael, Anne Marie’s husband—the one she’d called me late at night to escape from.
“And you are…?” Michael asked, directing his growing suspicion toward me.
“Xavier Grant,” Xavier answered, although the question was directed at me. “And this is Chanel.” He stuck out his hand for Michael to shake, moving slightly in front of me. That move both pissed me off and made me feel grateful at the same time. Michael begrudgingly shook Xavier’s hand.
“How do you know my wife and son?” He again posed that question to me.
I looked at Anne Marie, whose eyes were filled with a fear I was all too familiar with. She’d pulled Noah by his shoulders against her front. He’d gone quiet, as if he sensed the tension among the adults.
I smiled what I hoped looked genuine and answered, “We met a few months ago here at the farmer’s market when Anne brought Noah for one of the children’s events. I was with my niece and nephew.” I felt Xavier’s entire body go rigid at the lie; I squeezed his hand in mine when he gave me an are you serious?look.
Michael stared at me for a few moments, then took a quick glance at Xavier, who was still slightly in front of me. He appeared mollified by that answer when he exhaled and wrapped a possessive arm around Anne Marie’s neck.
“Yeah, she’s always bringing him to one thing or another. Says it’s good for his adjustment, since he still an only child. But we’re working on that, right, Anne?”
She winced when he asked that, but quickly schooled her face to one of pleasantry when Michael turned to look down at her.
“Yup,” she responded. “N-Noah would like another brother or sister.”
Noah’s eyes were downcast. He didn’t even look up at the mention of his name, totally unlike a child his age. Trauma has a way of changing one’s psyche that way. I’m sure by now, he knew the best way to avoid his father’s ire was to become as invisible as possible.
“I bet he would. It was good to see you, Anne Marie. Hopefully, I’ll see you and Noah around. It was nice meeting you,” I said to Michael.
I tightened my grip around Xavier’s hand, signaling that it was our time to depart. It took a few nudges, but eventually, he turned to head for the exit. I willed myself not to turn back and look at Anne Marie or Noah, although it pained me to walk away.
****
“What the hell was that!?” Xavier yelled once we got in the car.
