We both turned to look at the man in question.
Amos had helped himself to a banana, which he was currently using as a microphone while he danced in front of the sugar display, belting outPour Some Sugar On Mewith absolutely zero shame.
His dark hair was tousled and wild, and his ripped jeans were giving off rock star energy. That vibe was only slightly undercut by his muddy work boots and the old flannel shirt hanging open over his t-shirt.
His hips moved with that loose, confident rhythm I’d seen a thousand times.
He was always hopping up on stages and doing a little song and dance for a bit of fun.
With the way women swooned over him, the man probably could have been famous if he’d had any inclination in that direction.
But Amos seemed content with the small-town life of a logger. It was one of the things I liked about him.
He spotted us watching him and put a little extra swagger in the roll of his hips, singing to us now instead of the produce aisle.
Kelly and I both dissolved into laughter at the same time.
“See what I mean?” I managed to say when I could talk again. “Hecannotbe tamed.”
Kelly wiped her eyes and gave me a warm, knowing smile. “I don’t know about that. He looks half-tamed to me.” She tilted her head. “I’m predicting marriage in less than a year.”
Wouldn’t that be something?
A warm and dangerous hope swept through my chest, and I let it sit for one second before I shut it down.
“Are you coming to the Mountain Man book club tomorrow night?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She leaned in slightly. “Is it true you two are officially a thing now? Because the whole town is talking.”
I didn’t love lying to my friends. It sat wrong every time I had to do it.
“We’ve just been trying things out,” I said carefully. “It’s only been a few weeks.”
Kelly smiled. “Well, you better figure it out fast. This town moves quick. People are already placing bets.”
My stomach tightened. “Bets?”
“On whether he’s going to break your heart,” she said bluntly.
I let out a soft laugh as if that didn’t hit somewhere uncomfortable. “Sounds about right.”
Kelly rubbed my shoulder. “Oh, Shelly, it must be hard.”
We both knew what she was talking about. It wasn’t a question ofifAmos was going to break my heart, butwhen.
Kelly knew all about my thirty-day agreement with the man.
My closest girlfriends knew this whole thing had an expiration date, which I was trying very hard not to think about.
Thirty days had seemed like plenty of time when I proposed it. Now it felt like sand running through my fingers faster than I could catch it.
Damn it. I wanted more time. I wantedallthe time.
“Aw,” Kelly said suddenly, her voice dropping. “Who do you think that woman is?”
I turned.
A woman I didn’t know had appeared in the produce section.
