She walks away, and he smiles at me again. “Sorry about that. Looks like corporate didn’t program this one right. Give me just a moment.”
I smile back at him. “Sorry to be so much trouble.”
He smirks back at me. “Not at all. It’s my pleasure.”
I let out a small giggle, and he nods toward my groceries. “Quite the spread. You having a party?” he asks.
Hm...Is that his way of asking if I’m single?
I lean forward a little against the register and smile. “I just really like to cook.”
“Are you any good?” he flirts back.
At least I think he’s flirting. It’s been so long since I’ve tried to do this. I smile. “I like to think so.”
He smiles. “I’d love to-.” He stops talking when I feel a hand press up against my back.
Startled, I turn and see Reed. “Here’s the sour cream,” he says as he sets it on the belt.
“Thanks,” I say as I turn back toward the register. I see the man’s eyes quickly flick down to Reed’s hand still on my back. I step away from him, but it seems to be too late because the man goes back to finishing scanning the groceries without finishing what he was going to say.
Reed and I walk out to the car in silence. He looks upset, but I’m not sure why. We load the last bag into the truck, and I finally turn to him. “What’s your problem? Why are you being all rude all of a sudden?”
He slams the trunk closed harder than necessary. “Why are you so determined to move on to the next guy? Can’t you stand on your own two feet for five seconds?” he asks.
“Fuck you, Reed!” I shout. “You’re no better than Jake! Stop trying to tell me what to do! I’ll do whatever the fuck I want!” I turn and walk to the passenger door and get inside. I slam the door shut, and Reed doesn’t get in right away.
“Dammit!” he shouts.
A few moments later he gets into the driver’s side. I continue to look out the window, so I don’t have to talk to him.
“Wren…” He tries talking to me.
“Just take me home,” I whisper without turning toward him.
He lets out a big sigh. “Okay,” he says as he starts the car up and begins driving us back home.
We unload the groceries in silence until Reed slaps the counter, startling me. He looks at me angry. “You know what? Fuck that! I wasn’t being like Jake!”
I open my eyes wide, surprised, and he continues. “I wasn’t telling you what to do, Wren! You can go fuck whoever you want! It doesn’t matter to me. But like hell I’m letting you rely on another man to support you! When I’m gone, you will be able to support yourself, dammit!”
The last part wasn’t a question or a suggestion. It was a command. A command I don’t dare argue with. “Okay,” I say softly.
“Okay?” he asks, still a little on edge.
I nod my head. “Yes.”
He lets out a relieved breath. “Okay,” he says, and then we go back to unloading the groceries again like nothing ever happened.