other adult purchases I could add to keep it from looking like I was a twelve-year-old with dangerous amounts of money and a serious junk food habit.
Among chocolate-covered granola bars, chocolate peanut butter cups, red velvet ice cream, grasshopper cookies, and pickles, I’d throw in some lettuce, salad fixings, fresh broccoli for iron, and a bag of easy-peel oranges.
My cart still looked like it was filled by a child pretending to be an adult, and it was becoming questionable. With a sigh, I added apples and wondered if I should get rid of some of the sugary treats so I didn’t give away the fact that I was eating for two. It was important no one knew about my pregnancy because I needed time to come to terms with it myself before I had to field questions from the inquiring minds of Cross Creek.
Thoughts of a certain tall, dark-haired, handsome man filled my head. I tried to shove them away, but the sensation of his lips on mine was so intense, I lifted my fingers to my mouth as if I could still feel him.
“You look deep in thought.” As if he’d stepped from my thoughts into the aisle, Noah studied me with a slight curve at the corners of his lips.
I gawked at him in shock. What were the odds? I’d been thinking about him kissing me, and he appeared—poof—like a genie had granted me a wish. The chances were pretty good, actually, with how much I’d been thinking about him lately and the fact that we lived in a small town, bumping into one another was almost inevitable. Besides, I didn’t believe in genies.
“Yeah, trying to remember what else I need.” I smiled, hoping I covered up my surprise well enough.
He let out a deep chuckle, and the rich sound sent a tremble down my spine. “You never were one for lists.”
“Still don’t use them. Maybe I should start, but then I’d have to remember to bring it with me and …” No way would I tell him that lately, my shopping was driven by cravings and not necessity.
He leaned in close as if to impart some wisdom, and out of the corner of his mouth, he said, “I don’t use a list either.”
I opened my mouth in mock disbelief. “No.”
At my serious tone, he chuckled, and I let out a giggle. It should have been strange, awkward, or uncomfortable, but this was easy. We had kissed, so why weren’t things more complicated?
He steered his cart next to mine and picked up mushrooms. With that and the eggs in his cart, I could hazard a guess. “Omelets?”
He nodded.
That sounded delicious. “I might have to come to your place for breakfast.”
He went still and studied me.
A moment later, I realized what he thought I was saying.
“I should go.” Mortified at my slip-up, I grabbed my cart and headed for the next aisle. Why did I keep saying stupid things to him?
I moved forward, trying to get my rapid heartbeat under control. A cart moved next to mine, and I glanced into Noah’s eyes. “I knew what you meant.”
My cheeks heated, even with his reassurance. “It just sounded bad. I keep tripping over my tongue around you.”
“I think it’s kind of cute.” As he said the words, something flashed behind his eyes. Something almost like anger. Was he mad at his words or his feelings?
“Thank you. That makes me feel better.” I wanted to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible. It was nice hearing he thought my slips were cute, and it made me less self-conscious.
He nodded and moved on.
I watched him retreat with heaviness in my heart. I’d missed him a lot more than I ever realized. Being here, seeing him, listening to him talk, and noticing that light in his eyes when he looked at me, it all came rushing back.
As glad as I was at how my life had gone, and how much I treasured the experiences I lived, I wished I hadn’t hurt him all those years ago with my careless and untrue words. I wanted him back, but I wasn’t sure that was possible.
I moved through the store, grabbing things at random, and thinking about making lists. I needed to get my life together. I could make a plan of action and live it out, including a strategy to win Noah back. Or at least try to let him know that I still loved him and wanted to be with him. I messed up