Chapter 5
Jaxon
FinnandLaurencoming over today was a godsend. The house has transformed into a home—it’s more than just four walls and a roof.
They offered to stay at the house with Andy and continue working on unpacking his room while I ran to the grocery store. I needed to stock up for the week and get something to say thank you for their help, especially for Lauren. The way she’s taken to Andy is as if she’s known him for years. She even ran to Target this morning and picked up some of the soap that Andy was talking about yesterday. He was a little disappointed he hadn’t gotten to go with her, but she promised to take him next time.
I stroll down the wine aisle and browse the New Zealand wine section. I barely know anything about wine, and Court always picked bottles based on whether she thought the label was pretty. But I asked Finn what Lauren’s favorite type is, and he said Kim Crawford pinot noir. I look up each row and pass sauvignon blancs, pinot grigios, cabernets, and—aha!There it is. Yes, and there’s only one bottle left. It’s gotta be a sign. Placing it gently in my cart, I head over to the bakery.
I know Andy was all about those cupcakes yesterday, and while these won’t be the same, I figure we can have a special treat for dessert to go with the food Lauren brought over. I grab a ticket before stepping back out of the way. The line seems to move at a decent speed, but there are still five numbers ahead of me. I’ve never seen a bakery line so busy before. I pull my phone out and decide to check in with Finn to make sure everything is going okay and see if I need to grab anything else.
Me: Just checking in.
A response comes right away. It’s not a message, though, but a photo of Lauren and Andy sitting on the floor, organizing his bookshelf.
Finn: I think Lauren may never leave. She’s a book nerd through and through and be careful. If you let her and Andy hang out long enough, I’m pretty sure you’ll be adding a second bookshelf soon. She’s gone into children’s book heaven. LOL
Me: Well, I could think of worse things for someone to be addicted to.
Finn: Says the man whose bank account doesn’t have at least $200 a month spent on new books.
Me: *shrug emoji*
Finn: Whatever, happy wife. Happy life.
Me: That’s what they say. Everything good?
Finn: Yes, stop being a fucking helicopter parent and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Me: I’m in a fucking grocery store. What’s peaceful and quiet about that?
Finn: There’s no kids.
I look up and see a woman with six kids hanging off her cart. She looks just about dead on her feet. I dip my chin to my chest to hide my chuckle.
Me: No shortage of kids here. Pretty sure they might sell them in aisle 8.
Finn: Nah, I’m pretty sure it’s aisle 6.
Me: I’m just grabbing one last thing.Anything else I need to grab?
Finn: Nah, man, all good.
Me: Great, see you soon.
I’m pocketing my phone just as the guy behind the counter calls, “Number sixty-eight.”
I step forward, holding the ticket up at the same time a familiar female voice calls out, “Right here.”
Wait, did I just imagine her voice? I glance over to find the one and only Kate Lawson standing just a few feet away. My body tenses. I know that this is a small town and all, but can’t a guy catch a break?
I look down at the small white ticket in my hand and verify the number.
“Oh no, wait your turn. He called sixty-eight. That’s me.” I hold up the ticket with the red block lettering clearly showing “68.”
“No,” Kate drags out and pops out her hip. “My ticket says sixty-eight.” She holds up an identical number.
We spin to face the employee, who can’t be more than maybe seventeen, and he looks scared shitless. His gaze bounces back and forth between Kate and me. She looks like she’s about to shoot lasers out of her eyes at him.
“I guess I should let you go first, right? You seem to think you’re more important than the rest of the world,” she scoffs.
“Well, normally I’d say ladies first, but you’re not acting much like a lady. Besides, I have a kid to get home to. What’s so important in your life to get home to? A cat?”
Am I being unreasonable right now? Sure. But she knows exactly how to rile me up.
“Having a child doesn’t make your life more important than someone else’s. You don’t know anything about me. Don’t pretend you do.” Her skin flushes, and I feel as though maybe I’ve struck a nerve and gone too far, yet I can’t seem to take my eyes off her. The hairs on the back of my neck rise as I feel everyone else surrounding us.
“You know what? You’re right.” Her eyes widen in shock. I extend my hand in front of me. “You go first.”
She shakes her head. “Oh no, Mister I’m the center of the world. I insist.” She mocks my movement with her hand. “I insist. You go first.” She settles back, sinking into one hip with her arms crossed in front of her, her rigid stance telling me she’s done with this conversation. Fine, be that way. We could easily go round and round for hours, so I take her out.
I huff out a breath and turn to face the counter again. The poor employee literally looks unsure of himself. I give him a weak smile, but it does nothing to ease the awkwardness and tension.
“Yeah, can I get a half dozen assorted cupcakes?”
The employee nods and turns to grab them. I can feel her heated gaze on me, but instead of acknowledging her, I watch her with my peripheral vision. I straighten my spine and bring my cart to block the front of my pants. Going toe to toe with her, watching her chest heave up and down, has my cock standing at half-mast in my jeans.
She looks down at my cart and growls—like I’m pretty sure an actual fucking growl left her pouty lips.
“Looks like it’s your lucky day, sir. These are the last of the cupcakes.” He hands me the package just as Kate huffs under her breath, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“You have a nice day, ma’am.” I tip my imaginary hat just to taunt her as I turn and walk toward the checkout.