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“Just . . . a lot is going on,” she whispered.
“Is your man treating you good? If not, I will come get you.”
“I would love to see you try. But yes. He’s good. I just don’t think he understands what it’s like.”
I paused outside my car. “What is it like?”
“It’s . . . sorry, I got to go.” The line went dead as I stared at my phone. She hung up on me. I huffed as I popped my trunk. I shoved all the groceries in there and started my car. Hopefully, Ric kept himself entertained around the house. Maybe I should have shown him how to log into my streaming services. I parked in the driveway and stepped out. I grabbed as many groceries as I could in my arms and walked to the porch. I tried to angle the key into the lock while balancing fifty pounds of food—or that’s what it felt like— when the door swung open. Frustration etched on Ric’s face as he looked at me.
“Why didn’t you ask me to help?” he asked.
“You aren’t always here. I do this myself all the time,” I said as I tried to scoot around his large body. His hands reached out for the bags. I glared at him instead of looking forward. My feet stumbled, and I started falling forward. I dropped half the bags I was holding as he pulled me tight against his body.
In my ear, he whispered, “You seem to need my help.” Shivers coursed down my spine at his words.
“Fine.” He released my body and picked up the spilled groceries. I walked to the kitchen with the few bags I didn’t drop. A few moments later, Ric followed me in.
“I didn’t know what you liked. So I just got a bit of everything. And some snacks. Where are you from? Are there any cultural foods I should get next time?” Why did I make everything awkward?
He shook his head as he emptied the groceries. “I am fine. Nothing to worry about.”
“You said you needed to get some clothes? I can take you shopping tomorrow. There is an outlet mall up north. It just opened. I would normally go with Andy, but . . . well, she’s not here. You are,” I said.
He turned to me with a smile. His handsome face lit up. “A day with you? That would be perfect.”
I shrugged. “I am doing laundry tonight after dinner if you want me to wash your other outfit. You said you had packed two?”
Ric nodded.
“You ready for dinner? Sorry it took me so long. Work was hectic. And Andy called. It slowed me down.”
“You didn’t tell her about me?” he asked.
“You asked me not to. So I didn’t. She’s lying to me though. And I didn’t tell her everything either. She sounds sad, though.”
“What she has learned is big,” Ric said.
I plastered a fake smile on my face as I pulled out some of the food that Ric had just put away. He didn’t know what I had planned. He was trying to help. “She doesn’t have to handle it alone, though.”
“You’re a good friend,” Ric said.
I turned as I looked into his eyes. “Thanks.”
Chapter 8
Chloe
Iparked my car in the massive parking lot. I turned to Ric. In the bright light, the top of Ric’s head seemed to blur. My smile faltered slightly as I tried to blink it away. Maybe my contacts were too old. I’d have to put that on my to-do list. I turned toward the door and got out. “So, this is the new outlet mall. I’ve never been but I’ve heard good things about it though,” I babbled as we walked toward the entrance.
In front of the doors, a familiar figure stood passing out fliers. It was my old coworker, Sarah. We worked at a temp agency together for a few months. “Sarah!” I screamed as I rushed forward. Sarah jumped up and down.
“Chloe! How are you? It’s been too long!” she screamed. She calmed down and shoved a flier in my hand. It was a green paper covered in clip art with aliens and spaceships.Snowford Alien Con:Don’t Miss This OUT OF THIS WORLD Convention!I smiled.
“Are you going to be there? Do you think they need some booth girls?” I asked. That’s me: always picking up gigs. None of my jobs ever lasted long. Was it this economy? Was it me? I didn’t really focus on that.
Sarah shrugged. “I’m just part of a street team right now. You have the same number? I’ll text you the number for my boss. If he needs some booth girls, you can ask him.”
I folded the flier up and shoved it in my purse. “It would be really hot to be painted green or blue, ya know,” I said. My eyes flickered to Ric, behind her. His face darkened slightly as his eyes traveled up and down my body. I bit my lip as I resisted flirting with him. He was here in real life. Couldn’t shamelessly flirt now. His eyes caught mine. A warmth crept up my cheeks as I looked away.
