Safe.
I turned down the cereal aisle, blindly throwing in three giant boxes of sugar-filled junk, a jar of hazelnut-choc spread, and three loaves of bread. I powered through the rest of my shopping, eyes and ears alert for impending danger.
I hurriedly unloaded at the register, greeting Joan, listening to her chat about the town's latest gossip while I stayed silent, desperate for her hands to move faster as they lifted and scanned the groceries. I tucked the last bag in my cart as Joan rang it up.
"That'll be eighty-three ninety, Hun."
I reached for my wallet, the hair on the back of my neck standing to attention.
Uh-oh—
"Well, if it isn't little Bluebell McKenney." Dane's deep voice sounded abnormally loud in the quiet of the store.
I froze, fingers clutching at my card, a chill racing down my spine.
Caught.
I turned slowly, dread settling like a stone in my stomach. They stood shoulder to shoulder, Dane dark and broody, Drake light with a small smile on his lips. I dropped my gaze, taking in their overflowing cart, heart sinking. That was more food than someone here on holiday required.
It's true. The boys are back in town.
I forced my gaze up, offering what I hoped was a friendly smile while praying the years had buried the memory of our last interaction.
"Dane, Drake. I didn't realise—" I stepped forward, holding out a hand to shake. "Welcome back."
"Come now, Belle,” Drake scoffed, his smooth tones a startling contrast to Dane's growl. "Is that any way to greet old friends?" He stepped forward, opening his arms.
I hesitated for a moment, overtly aware of Joan with her gossipy mouth and the interested glances from other shoppers.
I stepped away from the register, closing the distance. As Drake's arms tightened around me, I looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with Dane. His mouth kicked up just a fraction at one corner, satisfaction stamping itself across his face.
The heat and hardness of Drake pressed against me, coupled with Dane's expression, threw me back in time. Back to that night.
Back to—
I pulled back from Drake and shifted toward Dane, offering him the same quick hug and willing myself to keep it together.
"Belle," Dane's words brushed the shell of my ear.
I took a deep breath, memorising the feel of him against me, breathing in the scent of his aftershave and him.
I pulled back, quickly two-stepping away from both of them. I tucked a section of hair behind one ear, fighting overwhelming panic as I moved back to the register.
"Are you in town long?" I turned back to Joan, finally handing her my credit card.
"Bought the Jessup lot. Moved in yesterday."
Dane's low statement had me freezing in place. My head slowly twisted back toward them.
"You bought…." I hadn't heard a whisper about this development.
Why had no one told me?!
It was book club night and my friends, Anika, Collins, Ella and Honey were about to get their asses chewed out.
Ella and Anika co-owned the town’s best (and currently only) bar. Collins worked with Honey at the local physiotherapist andwellness centre, and I worked as a nurse in the local clinic. Between the five of us we generally had our fingers on the gossip pulse.
Not so much it seemed.
