“Thank you for wrapping them,” I said as I handed her cash.
“Of course. We don’t mind at all.”
She gave me my change, attempting not to look in Ladd’s direction as he studied a nearby display table—and failed. Before she handed me the bag, she asked, “So…you and Ladd are dating?”
I glanced at him and smiled before reaching for my purchases. “We are.”
She heldthe bag just out of reach. “Do you go to school with him?”
“I do.”
“Is that where you met?”
Nodding, I frowned slightly at all the questions. “It was.”
She pursed her lips…and the friendly girl who had helped me earlier was replaced by one who seemed a bit upset by my presence. “We dated, you know.”
Clearing my throat, I shook my head. “No, I didn’t know.”
She let out a humorless laugh. “Ofcoursehe wouldn’t bother telling you. He broke up with me.”
“I’m…sorry to hear that.”
Grace shrugged.
Ladd walked up then and smiled at Grace. “Hey, Grace. How’re you doing?”
Her frown instantly turned to a charming smile. “Hi, Ladd. I’m doing good. How about you?”
Was it my imagination, or did she just push her chest out?
“I can’t complain. I see you’ve met Vivianne. Viv, this is Grace Miller.”
“We’ve met,” Grace clapped back as she flicked me a brief dirty look. My brows shot up.
Clearing my throat, I attempted to act casual. “Well, thanks again, Grace. I really appreciate your help.”
She practically rolled her eyes at me when she replied, “It’s my job.”
Once we were outside, Ladd laughed. “What did you do to piss off Grace?”
I stopped and gaped at him. “Are you serious? She was nice as pie to me until she found out I was your girlfriend.”
His brows drew down. “Why would that matter?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you dated her, then dumped her?”
Ladd’s head reared back. “Dated her? I never dated her.”
It was my turn to be confused. “But she said you guys dated and that you broke up.”
Ladd stared at me, clearly stunned. “Ineverdated her. Not even a double date, where we were both with other people. I knew she liked me in high school, but we never went out.”
I let out a startled laugh. “Oh my gosh, you have a stalker, Ladd Wilde!”
He tilted his head and gave me an exasperated look. “I do not.”
“You do! Sheliterallytold me you guys dated and you broke up with her.”
