“I’m going to run upstairs to grab something from my studio then leave. I’ll be quick.”
“No worries. I need to head to the grocery store then maybe grade some papers.”
Her face screws up. “Eeek, that’s a boring Friday. Normally, you insist on going for a drink or you’re planning a dinner party. Get it together, I need you back to conquering Everhope with me.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I shake my head.
Walking down the cereal aisle,I smile politely in greeting when I see a familiar face. “Sheriff Carter.”
He tries to suppress his amusement as we cross paths. “Why does everyone insist on adding Sheriff to my name even when I’m off duty?”
“Because you make us all feel a teensy-weensy bit in trouble.” I stop my cart and lean against the handle.
He tosses his box of bran and raisins into the cart which causes me to laugh. “Hmm, not exactly a riveting choice there, huh?”
“It’s a solid cereal option.”
“True that.”
“Hey, how was your brother’s wedding?”
The mention of last week triggers a spark inside of me. And you know what, in a good kind of way. That’s what it is.
I smile. “It was special, and my brother is happy.”
“Happy to hear. I haven’t had a chance to catch up with Oliver after the wedding but that might be a good thing.”
“Why is that?”
He amusingly smirks to himself. “I would have to tell him that for the next family dinner, my parents have invited someone’s granddaughter. He hates when our parents do that.”
My chin juts up from his comment and jealousy whispers into my ear. “Nobody wants family meddling in their relationships, right?”
“Most of the population would agree with that. It’s my fault, though. They have faith that Oliver will find a wife and stay married. I have an ex-wife and have yet to find someone to settle down with.” Sometimes I wonder if he still has feelings for Rosie.For someone who is divorced, in general he brings up that fact a lot the times that I’ve spoken with him.
“Sorry, I consider her a friend. Even if we don’t see one another so much anymore.” He lifts his brows and shrugs as if it’s nothing. I laugh to myself as I recall a tidbit. “Wait, didn’t you also once get set up with the wife of the owner of the Spinners?”
His jaw flexes side to side with an awkward grin. “Violet wasn’t his wife yet.”
I bring my hand to my heart. “I hope that one day you find Mrs. Sheriff again.”
Carter rolls his eyes. “She’ll be my deputy.” Even he realizes how cheesy his joke is, and we both laugh. “Anyhow, I need to head out. See ya around, and if you see my brother before me, then warn him not to answer if our mom calls.”
I give him a little salute. “Of course.”
My smile drops like an anchor as soon as he doesn’t see me anymore. Can’t I have a few hours when I don’t think of Oliver? Everything around me reminds me of him.
But it’s not a coincidence or the fact that Everhope is a small town. It’s because of what I feel for him.
I could try and bury it, but it’s been one week and my mind is exactly where it was when I last saw Oliver. My entire body still seems to be consumed by him.
It’s because I’ve always wanted more with him. We’ve been in orbit around one another that I don’t think will ever end.
Then I got a taste of what it would be like. And going along with what we think we should do no longer feels like the road I want to take.
There was only one thing I ever wanted when it comes to Oliver, and I’m no longer choosing to ignore it.
Which is exactly why I speed my cart forward, more determined now than ever.
