And Ford is standing between me and my favorite bread. Yes, I’ve tested them all and if you offer me wheat bread, I will punch you. Don’t even think about rye bread in my presence, I’ll know. Not when it comes to a PB&J.
“Are you following me?” Ford narrows his eyes slightly but it’s clear he’s teasing me. Still, I stiffen and look around, only relaxing once I realize we’re alone in the aisle. Still, these shelves have ears.
“I’m pretty sure you’re the one following me,” I huff and roll my eyes, trying to cover up just how this man affects me.
It’s not even his fault. He didn’t know what he did to me all those years ago and how deep my feelings go. There was a big part of me hoping I’d grow out of it. But here I am; I’m not sure how long it’ll be before my knees go weak.
He steps around my cart, not caring about how he’s invading my space. I can feel the heat coming from his body. It’s delicious and makes me want to curl into him. Somehow, I manage to keep my wits about me.
“Maybe I am,” his voice is low with the hint of a growl that has me gripping my cart’s handle like my life depends on it.
Maybe it does.
Because being this close to Ford is dangerous. It feels like the memories of it could have barbs. They could sink deep and make it impossible to forget. Even when they’re just that—memories.
“You, um,” I lick my lips and look away even though his gaze stays fixed on me, “you shouldn’t.”
“Why is that, Arden?”
I don’t know.
The truth.
But far too simple.
And far too honest.
I force a laugh, but it sounds hollow. “Because it’s weird,” I throw out there even though it’s a sham.
And not a particularly good one.
One look at his face tells me he can see right through me. But I’ve come this far and I’m not backing down.
“Can I ask you a question?” I bite my lip instead of throwing out a quick comeback when I see the vulnerable look in his eyes. It’s disarming and I find myself nodding slowly. “Can I take you out on a date?”
“Me? A date?” I huff, shake my head, and come close to having a conniption in the same aisle as white rice. I don’t give him the chance to say anything and push the cart right past him. “So sorry, can’t stay and chat. I need to get my shopping done.”
I move so fast through the grocery store you would think I was trying to win something. Yeah, my dignity. I lost it in aisle four.
When I ran away from him. Again.
He was definitely flirting with me. I just don’t know what to do with it. It feels strange, like I’m trying to live a life that isn’t mine and doesn’t fit quite right.
Or the problem could be the big secret between us, the one he doesn’t even know is there.
I’m walking out of Falls Market when I feel his eyes on me again. Why does he keep watching me? It’s making me paranoid that he’s going to figure out who I am.
I’m also a little embarrassed about how I blew him off in the market. It was rude of me, and insensitive. I’m not sure what came over me and why I reacted like that. I just had to get away as quickly as possible.
By the time I make it home, I am nursing some major regrets. One of them is not getting more ice cream. It would have been smart to take one more chance in the aisles.
I would go back right now but knowing my luck I’d run into him again.
Instead, I cut my losses and carry the groceries inside. I’m finishing putting them away when Mom walks into the room.
“Oh, sweetie,” she greets me, “you didn’t need to go to the market. I was planning on going tomorrow.”
“It was my turn,” I point out even though it’s not entirely true.
