“I’ll think about it,” Jordan said, pulling harder at the thread on the pillow. “Thanks for the help.”
“Anytime,” Dana said. “Call if you want to talk through anything else.”
“Definitely.”
They made small talk about the lingering New York humidity, about the wine bar that had opened up around the corner from the office, about the Lady Gaga concert at Madison Square Garden, then said their goodbyes.
Jordan hung up and waited for the pang of homesickness for New York.
It didn’t come.
She closed her eyes and, resting her head back against the cushion of the couch, let herself admit what she hadn’t been able to say aloud to Dana—or to anyone:
She wasn’t still in Lucky Hollow because she thought Luke was close to caving.
She was still here because she wanted to be—because for the first time in a long time, she felt…
Home.
The thought was terrifying.
—
Lucky Hollow had two grocery options. The first was the adorable little corner store in town that had exactly one brand of eggs, one type of butter, four cracker brands, six assorted cheeses, and so on.
Or there was the big box store. Nearly a forty-minute drive outside of town, but at the bar last night the women had assured Jordan that it was a necessary evil to stock up on staples.
She didn’t mind.
After her run-in with Luke, she needed a breather away from Lucky Hollow.
Away from Luke.
You’re little more than a vulture in high heels.
The memory stung.
She didn’t know exactly what she wanted Luke Elliott to think about her, but it wasn’t that.
Then again, she couldn’t really blame him. She’d invaded his hometown, for God’s sake. Infiltrated his group of friends, chatted with his sister, buddied up with his ex-fiancée—one of them, anyway.
Jordan blew out a breath as she dropped a bag of spinach into the cart, followed by a carton of mixed greens and baby carrots. She was in the dairy department, trying to do the math on which Greek yogurt special was a better deal, when she heard her name.
Jordan smiled when she saw Hailey Withers approaching. “Hey!”
The petite brunette was dressed in an adorable yellow sundress that flattered her generous curves.
Hailey ditched her basket and gestured forward for a hug. “Bring it in, Blondie.”
She glanced in Jordan’s cart as she pulled back. “Dang, no wonder you’re so skinny!” The woman picked up a package of quinoa and gave Jordan a look. “Really? Please don’t look in mine. Would you believe me if I lied and said that the Lucky Charms are for the kids and that I’d never eat the Kraft Mac and Cheese I’m planning to buy in bulk?”
“Don’t judge me too harshly,” Jordan said with a smile, gesturing at her mostly healthy cart. “I ran track in high school and college, and I guess I’m used to fueling my body accordingly.”
“Great, you eat vegetables and you’re a runner. You’ll understand if I decide to dislike you?” Hailey asked good-naturedly.
“Absolutely. If you ever see me running by your house, I give you my full blessing to throw tomatoes.”
“Rocks, Blondie. If I see you running, I’ll be throwing rocks. Have you been running since you moved here?”