It might not be him. Other people could have the same sweater.
Someone who stood at the same height though? Someone with the same broad shoulders who moved in a similar way to Dylan?
Her feet moved faster. The guy exited the aisle and turned left.
Desperation had her speeding up. She couldn’t lose him. She needed to know it wasn’t him.
She jogged forward and had just stepped out of the aisle when she collided with a big chest. Her basket dropped, falling to its side, cans of tuna rolling out.
“Aspen.”
Her gaze flew up to see a pair of brown eyes. Eyes slightly darker than Jesse’s, but also very similar.
“Becket.”
A frown etched his brow. “Are you okay?”
“I…” Her gaze shifted behind him. People were everywhere, but none wearing the sweater.
God, what was she doing? Chasing down a guy because he wore a sweater that was similar to Dylan’s? Dylan was in Misty Peak.
Heat crawled up her neck, and she shook her head. “Nothing. I was just…in a rush.” Yeah, in a rush to approach a stranger and make an idiot of herself.
He held her gaze for a second longer, looking down at the basket. “Let me help you pick this stuff up.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that.”
But he was already on the floor. She lowered with him.
He lifted cans of tuna and set them in the basket. “Is my brother not feeding you? You’re eating two-dollar tuna and noodles?”
“It’s not his responsibility to feed me.”
One side of Becket’s mouth lifted. “I think he might disagree.”
“There are a few things we disagree on.” They both rose. “Well, thank you for helping me, and sorry about running into your chest.”
“Are you walking home?”
“I am. No car means a lot of walking. But I don’t mind. Sunshine and exercise are good for me.”
“It’s not too sunny out there anymore.” Becket checked his watch. “In fact, it will be dark soon. I’ll drive you back.”
“Oh…you don’t have to.”
“I know. I want to.”
“You came here to shop.” She looked at his empty hands. “You don’t have anything yet.”
“They didn’t have what I needed.”
Why didn’t she believe him?
She wanted to say no, because honestly, why would he want to walk her home? Had Jesse told him about the face in the window? Was he just trying to help Jesse by protecting his housemate?
But if it was getting dark outside, she didn’t really want to walk by herself anyway. “Okay. Um, thanks.”
They headed to the counter, and while she paid, Becket took his phone out and began typing something.
