I’ve not said a word about what an ass I made of myself the last time I saw him. It’s too fucking embarrassing. And how my mom doesn’t know is beyond me. I’d envisioned a full rundown of the debacle being spread around town like wildfire.
I stumble backward as someone shoulder checks me, knocking me off balance. “Ugh!”
“Watch where you’re going,” says a deep voice.
What in the hell? I blink and turn around, but the man doesn’t stop as he yanks open the door to Brookhaven Market. Seriously? I wasn’t the one in the way.
If my cake is smashed… My teeth grind together as I glare at the back of his head. “Excuse me?”
“I said, watch where you’re going.” Chad Whitlock’s beady eyes meet mine.
No wonder he didn’t apologize. The man is an asshole. I turn back around, dismissing him. He’s not worth the effort to try and communicate with.
“That’s what I thought. Scurry away like a coward.”
My back bristles as I step further away from the door. Don’t engage. Remember, he’s not worth it. I bite my tongue as the bells above the door chime, followed by the door slamming shut.
“Asshole.” I resume my walk to my car.
When my phone rings, I step to a small table away from the front door and answer Bella’s call. “Hey.”
“Hey, you. How’s Mom Babysitting Duty going?”
“Fine.” A couple walks out of the grocery store, strolling hand in hand.
“You don’t sound fine.”
“I’m fine. Really. I just ran into Chad Whitlock.” I take another sip. This time, it’s cool enough that nothing gets scorched on the way down. “Actually, he ran into me.”
“Figuratively or literally?”
“Literally.” I rotate my shoulder and vow to forget the exchange, except for the light stinging that indicates he might’ve left a mark. “I was coming out of Brookhaven Market, and he shoulder checked me. And of course, no apology.”
“Why would he apologize?” she scoffs. “He thinks the world revolves around him.”
“Let’s talk about something else.”
“Good idea. Is your mom being a good patient?”
“Of course, you know my mom. She’s always polite.” The wind whips a napkin along with a couple of golden leaves across the sidewalk, causing them to tumble down to the street.
“But?”
“But she won’t shut up about Jake.” I glance around to ensure no one is within listening distance. The closest person is two shops down in front of Jolie’s Café. The For Sale sign is no longer displayed in the front window. Did they take it off the market?
I frown as I scan the building, looking for signs of something new taking its place. Several of the tables that previously occupied the space by the front window have been pushed to the side. I need to remember to ask Mom what she’s heard.
“Oh….” Her voice perks up as I mention Jake. “Is your mom playing matchmaker?”
“Ple-e-ease.” I march toward my car. I had to park two blocks down the street as the evening crowd packs into The Burger Bunker. My purple tennis shoes are quiet on the sidewalk. “There’s no point in trying to matchmake. Hecan’t stand me. And even if he could, he never really did relationships.”
Besides Amanda. I don’t want to think about Amanda. She was the only girl he dated for an extended time. The one he chose over me. After she cheated on him. I’d stood feet away from him when he took her back.
Isn’t that a glowing endorsement for me? I practically threw myself at him that weekend, and he’d rather get with a girl who screwed him over.
“That was back in high school. What about college? And after he graduated? Maybe he’s not the same person he was back then.”
“There’s no reason why he wouldn’t have been the biggest player in town…. Or at least, that’s what everyone said.”
