At least, Mom had claimed she was stuck. I was convinced she was just being dramatic.
The grocery store was on the way, so I decided to stop in and get something for dinner. A bit of a peace offering to my mom for putting up with my crazy dog.
Max would be fine for a few minutes while I ran in. I’d never leave him in a car for long—a vehicle could heat up faster than you realized, especially in the sun—but it wasn’t hot out and I parked in the shade. I’d be in and out fast enough, he’d be fine.
“Stay here, good boy. I’ll be right back.”
I went into the store and veered to the right, toward the deli. Thankfully, they had the chicken salad my mom liked. I ordered a medium—probably more than we needed but she could have leftovers tomorrow—and waited while a guy wearing a hairnet over his man-bun filled the container. He handed it to me and I thanked him.
“Well, well, well,” an all-too-familiar voice said behind me. “I heard you were back.”
I knew this moment had to happen sooner or later. This town was too small to avoid him for long. But I still wasn’t quite prepared to see Colin Greaves.
“I guess news travels fast,” I said as I turned around.
He was dressed in a pale blue button-down and a pair of dark slacks. Probably stopping at the store on his way home from work, like me. He worked for his father’s law firm, the only one in town, and he certainly looked the part. Slicked-back hair, clean shaven, not a wrinkle in his expensive clothes.
One corner of his mouth lifted and his eyes flicked up and down. “You look good.”
“Thanks. First day of work.”
“Oh yeah? Where are you working?”
I pressed my lips together. I shouldn’t have said more than thanks. Now I was being roped into an actual conversation instead of a quick hello situation. But I didn’t want to be rude. “The Tilikum Tribune.”
“Is that thing still open?”
“Well, they hired me and the door wasn’t locked when I got there this morning, so I’d say that’s a good sign.”
“Cute,” he said, and I wasn’t sure if he was referring to the newspaper or my attempt at sarcasm. “I heard you’re living with your mom.”
I didn’t miss the judgment in his voice. “Just until I find a place.”
Looking me up and down again, he crossed his arms. “Who would have thought. Miss Most Likely to Succeed, back home. I thought you said you’d never live here again.”
I had said that. At the time, I’d meant it. Adamantly. “Yeah, well, life throws you curve balls.” I held up my container of chicken salad. “I should get home while this is still cold.”
“Hey, I don’t mean to be hard on you.” His voice took on the soothing quality he’d always used to get out of an argument. “Is everything okay?”
I lost my job and now I’m living with my mother after I swore I’d never move home; my new job is a disaster, and I’m going to spend all my off-hours trying to keep my dog away from my mom’s pampered cat. No, everything is not okay.
Obviously I didn’t say that.
“Yeah, fine. I was just looking for a career change and this happened to be where I wound up. Life is funny that way.”
He nodded slowly and I could tell he didn’t believe me. “Good for you.”
“Thanks.”
“We should get coffee sometime.” He stepped closer and gave me the same flirtatious grin that had given me butterflies back in high school. “Catch up properly.”
Why was he looking at me that way? His eyes traveled up and down, lingering on my chest much longer than was polite.
“How’s Lorelei?”
For half a second, he froze, and a flash of anger hardened his features.
He reminded me of my father.
That was disconcerting.
“She’s great.” His expression melted back into his cocky half-grin. “You should stop by. She’d love to see you.”
Nice save, buddy. “Yeah, I will. I really do need to get going. My dog is in the car and I don’t want to leave him out there too long.”
“Of course. Me too. Gotta get home before the old ball and chain thinks I’m running around on her.” He winked and a part of me wondered if he was cheating on her. Or would, if given the opportunity.
Dang it, Colin, don’t be that guy. “Have a good night.”
“Bye, Audrey.” He paused, locking me in his gaze. “It really is good to see you.”
“You, too.” I was such a liar. It wasn’t good to see him and I would have avoided it for as long as I could.