Page 91 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Then stop, Mom!”

My eyes dart up and down the aisle. There’s still no one around, which I’m grateful for. Nothing like being scolded by your eight-year-old in the grocery store. I didn’t think my question would upset her so much, but I was wrong.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I was only trying to talk to you.”

Kas rolls her eyes again, and the sadness and frustration I’ve been carrying since my conversation with Dane last night—even if he didn’t outright reject me—only deepens. Kas used to tell me everything, but since Mom moved, I started working more, and things got harder with Jeremy, it’s been difficult to get her to tell me about her life. I didn’t think my question would upset her this badly, let alone make me feel more rejected.

“Can we go now?” Kas says.

I swallow back tears, not wanting to cry in front of her or in public. “Do you want anything else for the trip?”

Kas shakes her head, so we make our way to the front. Hollyn spots us and waves. “Well, look who it is! My favorite eight-year-old!”

Kas smiles and returns the greeting, her frown disappearing. I immediately feel jealous that Hollyn can get my kid to smile that easily but apparently, I just embarrass her. Mom of the Year right here. Tears prick my eyes as I set my basket on the counter.

“Hey, Hollyn,” I manage to choke out.

“Hello, hello. Good to see you, Lindsey.”

I avoid her eyes and look down at Kas. “Can you check us out, honey?” I ask, handing her my credit card. “I need to use the restroom before we go.” Kas’s eyes brighten, taking the card from me. “That okay?” I look up at the older woman.

She studies me, and I wonder if she can tell I’m on the verge of a breakdown. She dips her chin. “Of course, I’ll make sure Kas doesn’t buy the store while you’re gone.”

I mouth a thank-you before I turn and head toward the bathroom at the back. The bridge of my nose stings, and I keep my head down in case someone else actually is in here. I don’t want to make eye contact with someone I know and have them ask me if I’m okay.

When I’m almost to the door by the premade food and drinks section, my eyes fill with tears at the knowledge that I’m close to safety.

“Lindsey.”

My skin prickles at the sound of his deep voice, and I stop in my tracks. Had any other person said my name, I would have been able to pretend I didn’t hear it. But not him. I lift my head from the ground as Dane comes to stand in front of me, blocking my path to the bathroom.

I stare into his hazel gaze, and despite him being the source of part of my frustration and sadness, my body relaxes, and the first tear slips from my eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, wiping my cheek. It’s a dumb question. He’s here to buy groceries; why else would he be at a grocery store?

Dane frowns and holds up a pack of twenty individual trail mix packs. “Thought the kids might want a snack when we take a break.”

I look at the treats and back to Dane. Him getting a snack for the kids shouldn’t be the thing that completely does me in, but it is. Not only is he hot and kind, but he cares enough to come buy the kids a snack, too?

“Excuse me,” I say in an attempt to get around him, but he doesn’t move. “Dane.” My voice is weak and thick with tears.

Instead of moving out of my way, he puts the package of trail mix down next to one of the displays of premade food and takes my hand. I’m so blinded by the warmth and safety of it that I don’t realize until the door is closed and locked that he’s pulled me into the bathroom and I’m now against the door, the heat of his body pressing into mine.

“What happened, baby?” His face is angry, and if I didn’t know him, I’d be frightened by it. But all I can focus on is the sweet way he called me baby and how his eyes are filled with concern.

When I don’t answer, he squeezes my hand still in his. I look down and see our fingers are laced together. I don’t remember doing that, but I become mesmerized by the way it looks—his large hand, tan from being outside, slotted together with mine. The contrast between our skin tones stupidly reminds me I should get some sun. I don’t know why, but that makes me sad, too, because it’s hard to find time for myself, and the person I give all my free time to doesn’t even want to talk to me.

“Lindsey.” Dane’s free hand gently grasps my chin and pulls my gaze up to meet his. “Tell me what I can do to fix it.”

I blink, and more tears fall. My heart flutters in my chest as he moves his hand from my chin to wipe away a tear. There are a million things I could say right now—that he can’t fix me, that he can’t undo my mistakes or soothe the guilt I feel or take back what I said to Kas that embarrassed her.

My lips part, and I take in a small breath. The action draws his eyes to my mouth, and it reminds me of what triggered this feeling in the first place: his response to my offer.

“You rejected me.”

I expect him to step back, to pull his hands off my body, but he doesn’t. Instead, the hand wiping away my tears cups my cheek, and his features harden.

“When did I reject you?”