Rolling my full cart down the aisle, I stop at the pickles, debating which ones I want. I’m not sure if I want the massive jar that could last me awhile, or a smaller jar that won’t take up as much room in my fridge.
I’m going for the big jar. Grunting when I wrap my arms around it, I lift with my legs, then waddle a few steps to put it at the bottom of the cart.
“Olivia?”
I freeze. I don’t want to turn around—I know that voice. I haven’t heard from him in ages. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath then spin around, plastering a smile on my face.
“Jeremy. Wow. It’s been a long time.” Now that I see him standing before me—tall, with a boyish face showing he still has so much growing up to do even though we’re around the same age—I’m wondering how I stayed with him for so long.
He isn’t my type. I don’t know if he ever was. Maybe that’s why we fell apart so easily and I didn’t really care to fix things between us.
“It has. Wow. You look beautiful. You look good.”
Before I can put more space between us, he removes it by stepping forward and giving me a big hug. My face smashes against his chest, his cologne tingling my nose to threaten a sneeze.
I pat his back, not wanting this hug to go on longer than necessary yet not wanting to be rude. “Thanks. You too.” I pull away, grabbing the cart. “I have to go, but it was really nice running into you. I hope you have a good night.”
“Wait. How are you doing? Do you still work for Dr. Warrick? He ran your life. I hope you got out of there.”
I clench my teeth together with frustration and impatience. Jeremy never supported my career. He thought I was lazy not doing something else.
“Nope. I still work there. I got promoted. I make great money, have weekends off, and great benefits. How are you doing?”
He sighs, leaning against one of the shelves. His shoulder bumps into a jar of banana peppers and it moves right up to the edge.He doesn’t fix it. I lean over, pushing the jar back until it’s a safe distance away from falling, and not shattering at our feet.
“I’ll be honest. Not too well. I got fired. I’m in between jobs right now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’ll find another in no time. You were always great about that. You’ll get back on your feet.”
“I miss that about you. Always positive. Always optimistic.”
“Whatever you give, you’ll get, right? That’s my mindset.” I begin to push the cart forward, wanting to get out of this conversation. I’m not one of those women who wants to be friends with their ex. I’d rather move on completely. The past is the past for a reason, and I don’t want any part of it in my future.
He steps in front of my cart and I nearly hit him. His blonde hair nearly reaches his shoulders, and his brown eyes seem tired, a bit lonely, and my resolve changes. Maybe he just needs someone to talk to.
I tell him, “I have plans tonight and I need to go down a few more aisles. You can walk with me and vent if you need to. I can tell you have something on your mind, but if it’s about us getting back together, Jeremy, forget it. I’m happy. I’m in a relationship.”
A sincere smile appears next. “It isn’t. No, no, nothing like that. I’m happy for you. You’ve always had a plan for yourself, and I admired that about you. Still do.” He falls in step with me, tucking his hands into his pockets. “That’s a lot of food. Did you shop again on an empty stomach?”
“Okay. Enough. Between you and Elias, you guys make it seem like I’m buying the entire store. This is just…” I frown at the overflowing cart. “Supplies.”
“For doomsday?” He chuckles.
“Haha. Very funny.” I turn down another aisle, snagging a few boxes of pasta.
I can make my favorite dish for Elias sometime this weekend. It’s just going to be us, and I’ve never been more excited to spend time with someone. I love learning about him. The way he thinks, the way he moves. He’s everything I had no idea I needed.
My phone buzzes.
Taking it out of my pocket, I grin when I see his name across my screen.
Elias:Why didn’t you tell me you don’t like scary movies? We don’t have to watch them. We can watch whatever you want.
Me:I want to watch them with you. That’s the difference. I have a feeling I’ll like them this time.
Elas:You just want my arm around you so you can tuck your face into my chest?
Me:Don’t go ruining my plans.
