“It’s not just that. What about your tags on your car? All it takes is a police officer to run them and your ex will find you.” He’s interrupted by someone, so he doesn’t see my reaction. I turn and grab a couple dozen eggs while the realization hits me. Do you still love him? He thinks I’m hung up on an ex who beat me. I don’t know what’s worse. Letting him think that, or confess that it wasn’t a boyfriend but the man who’s supposed to protect me.
I set the eggs in the cart and then move over to the creamer I love. I know they live very organically here, but a girl’s got to have her good creamer in her coffee. I’ve been tolerating milk and sugar, but I’m not passing it up this time.
“Hello, Miss.” I turn and see a handsome guy with a pallet of dairy to stock.
“Hello,” I smile at the employee. He doesn’t move on, so I wonder if he doesn’t have enough room to get by. “Oh, sorry. Am I in your way?”
“Nah, I just never seen ya in town before.”
“I’m new.”
“And beautiful.” I nervously blush because I know Tobias is behind me. I can feel his warmth.
“Beat it, kid,” Tobias snarls at the kid. The guy’s eyes enlarge, and he takes his pallet and disappears to the back of the store.
Tobias comes up behind me, crowding my space, his ear near my lips. “I was wrong about your ass. It’s very, very noticeable in those pants. I’m going to have to kick someone’s ass.”
“Why? I’m not your girl,” I remind him. “I’m just your cook.”
“We’ll see.” His mouth brushes my cheek. Something changed in him all of a sudden. Is that jealousy? Is my ass that visible? I turn my body to catch my reflection in the cooler doors. My ass looks good, but that’s about it. It’s round and pert like it should be. Smiling, I walk back to the cart and continue shopping as he follows closely behind. Essentially keeping my ass out of view.
When we get to the register, the young cashier is giving him goo-goo eyes. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been in here, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Yeah, well, you’ll be seeing me in here more,” he grouses while pulling out his wallet. Does he know she’s flirting with him? He’s got to know. A man like him has probably been hit on a thousand times.
“Did you find everything you need?” she asks him.
“Babe, did you get everything?” he asks me, clearly telling the girl how it is.
“We found everything just fine,” I reply, smiling sweetly at the cashier. She quickly masks the disappointment, but oddly I get the feeling that she’s angry. She’s about my age. Did they have a thing before? Would he be that crass? They do call him a crabby bastard.
The bagger looks in awe at Tobias. “Oh my God. You’re Tobias Reynolds.”
“Yes, I am.” He pats the kid on the shoulder and pushes our cart out to the truck.
“What was that about? Were you like, you know, the local high school jock in town?”
“What? Why?”
“The bagger stared at you in awe, and the girl has a thing for you. She was jealous that you called me babe and implied we were a couple.”
Tobias shrugs. “She has no reason to be jealous. I don’t even know her.” He opens the door for me. “Get inside, Ava.” I follow his request because I’ve already landed on my ass once today. After he closes it, he puts the groceries inside the large lock box on the truck and then takes the cart back to the front of the store where a teenager is collecting carts.
“Ready,” he asks, hopping inside. “Hungry?”
“Yes. I’m sure you are.”
“Yeah. The diner’s right down the road.” He pulls out, and we’re at the restaurant in a couple of minutes. We arrive at Ed’s Diner and take a seat inside. Several people turn to us, and I have a feeling that he’s not a regular. “I don’t usually come in here with anyone.”
“Oh. So they think that we’re together.”
“Yes.”
“Hello, can I help you out, start with something to drink?”
“Water’s good for me.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll give you a few minutes.” The girl turns and goes to get our water with a little pep in her step. She doesn’t make a big deal out of Tobias, which makes me feel better. He’s gorgeous and everyone seems to notice, especially women, and it’s bothering me.
Someone at a table across from our booth leans in and whispers to their companion while stealing glances at Tobias. I arch my brow at them and then turn back to Tobias, who’s watching me intently. “Are you okay, Ava?”
“Yes, but those guys are looking at you.”
“I suppose I should tell you, but please don’t get mad. At first, I thought you knew who I was and didn’t want to say anything to make me feel uncomfortable.”