Baiting Him (How to Catch an Alpha #2)(25)

“I’m home.” She laughs, sounding happy and relaxed. “Did you miss me?”

“Yes. And I promise from now on to never take you being available to talk for granted ever again.”

“Is everything okay?” She sounds concerned. With her having gone through the last year with me and knowing everything that has happened with my family, her tone isn’t surprising.

“Things are better than okay.” I smile as I get out of my car and slam the door. “I’m seeing someone.”

“What? Where? When? Wh-who?” she stutters on a shout, making me laugh.

“His name is Gaston. Actually, I met him the night of your bachelorette party.”

“What?” she yells. “You never said anything about meeting someone, and I’d for sure remember that name.”

“I didn’t think I’d see him again,” I tell her honestly. “Then he sent me flowers before I left for Tennessee and showed up at my shop when I didn’t call him while I was out of town for your wedding.”

“Wowzers,” she breathes. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

“In my defense, you were away enjoying the sun and your new husband.”

“True.” She laughs. “I’m home now, so tell me everything. I want to know every detail about this guy.”

“I will,” I say while I grab a shopping cart. “Just not right now. I just got into the grocery store. Plus, I want to hear all about your honeymoon.”

“I’ll come over tonight and bring dinner along with wine.”

As much as I want to see my best friend and catch up, I’ve been looking forward to seeing Gaston again. Just as I’m about to tell her tomorrow would be better, I hear her husband Tyler’s deep voice in the background saying something I can’t exactly make out, but it sounds a lot like “No, you won’t.” I stand in the produce aisle, picking up the things I need with a smile on my face while I listen to the two of them argue. But soon the sounds change to them making out, and I giggle.

“Oh crap,” Leah breathes, and my giggles turn into laughter.

“What?” Tyler asks.

The phone is jostled, and Leah comes back to our conversation sounding out of breath. “Can you do dinner tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“My place or yours?” she asks hurriedly.

“Yours. I’ll meet you there after I close the shop.”

“See you then. Also, I wouldn’t be upset if you happen to have a few leftover cupcakes you need to get rid of.”

“Got it. Hug Tyler for me, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Will do.” She hangs up, and I do the same.

Just as I start to put my cell in my purse, it rings and Gaston’s name flashes on the screen. I answer as it starts to ring for a second time and put it to my ear, saying, “Hey.”

“Are you off work?” he asks as I push the cart down another aisle.

“Yeah, I’m at the grocery store near my shop, picking up stuff to wow you with my culinary skills.”

“Shit.”

“What?” I ask, hearing the frustration in that one word.

“Something went down at the club. I’m heading to get my car now, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to sort shit out. I’m sorry, baby, but I don’t think I’ll be around for dinner tonight.”

As much as I want to see him, I understand. “That’s—”

I start to tell him it’s okay, but a man pushing a cart who has a petite blonde woman tucked close to his side and under his arm turns the corner at the opposite end of the aisle, catching my attention. They seem locked in a conversation, as if they are the only people in the world. As they come toward me, my body freezes and my tongue gets stuck to the roof of my mouth. I absently hear Gaston call out to me, but my attention is focused on the obviously happy couple headed in my direction.

I don’t ever remember my dad smiling like he’s doing right now, and I can’t recall a time when I ever saw him holding my mom while grocery shopping. Actually, I cannot recall him ever holding her at all.

He’s happy, really happy.

Pain slices through my chest, and tears fill my eyes. As quickly as I can, I grab my purse from the seat of the cart and rush out of the aisle, not caring at all about abandoning my shopping cart. I swear I hear someone calling my name, but I just want to get away as fast as I can.

When I reach the parking lot, I unlock my car, get behind the wheel, and start the engine. I try to put the car in reverse to back out of my parking space, but a sob rips from my throat and more tears blind me. With the little bit of sanity I have left, I put my car in park and drop my head to the steering wheel and then lift it quickly when the horn sounds.

A few minutes later, there’s a sharp knock on my window, and through my tears I see my father, with the woman who must be his wife standing at his side.

I can’t do this. Not now. Maybe not ever.

His voice sounds through the door between us. “Roll down the window.” I jerk my head from side to side in silent refusal, causing him to frown. He turns toward the woman like he’s seeking advice, and her eyes fill with sympathy as they meet mine. I want to hate her—I really want to hate her—but for some stupid reason, I can’t seem to drag up that emotion as we stare at each other. My dad knocks on my window again, then tries the handle, and I glare at him.