“Actually, yes. I’m trying to head out to buy a few necessities, but your nephew has detained me.” I smiled at Bev and glared at Giles, sure she would be on my side. “He said I can’t drive in these conditions.”
“Well, you can’t,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Excuse me?” My mouth hung open in shock.
“Roads are slick, and you aren’t used to it. I’d kick myself if something happened to you or someone else on the road.”
“Told you.” Giles smirked at me.
I stuck my tongue out at him.
His mouth hung open. “Did you just—”
“Giles will drive you.”
“What?” we both replied in unison.
“These conditions are nothing for a local. He’ll get you to the store just fine, and you’ll be able to get whatever you need.”
“Bev I can’t. I’ve got to—“
“That’s enough, Giles. You were raised to be a gentleman, and a gentleman helps out when the newest town resident is in desperate need of a sweater and a snack. Isn’t that right?”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “We’ll take my car.” He stalked off to a truck parked in the street.
“Great.” I smiled at Bev hoping my disdain for her nephew wasn’t written all over my face.
“Have fun,” she called out.
* * *
As soon asthe truck pulled into the gigantic parking lot I sprung out of the door. That had been the most awkward car ride of my entire life. After making small talk about the snow, or the town, and receiving nothing but grunts in return, I gave up trying to communicate with him. At least now I could do my shopping in peace and get the rest of this interaction over with as quickly as possible.
The driver-side door slammed behind me. I whipped my head around to see Giles exiting the truck.
“You’re coming in too?” I knew my tone gave away my disappointment.
He shrugged. “Too cold to wait outside.”
“Of course.”
We walked side by side to the automatic entry doors. I grabbed a cart and headed for the grocery section.
To my dismay, instead of wandering off someplace else, Giles fell into step beside me.
“So,” I started, still determined I could win him over. Whatever preconceived notions he had about me were clearly wrong. “Giles is an interesting name.”
He shrugged and examined an apple as I threw a few ready-made salads into the cart.
“Were you named after someone?” I pressed when he didn’t respond.
“My grandfather.”
“Oh my god,” I said excitedly, stopping the cart. “I was named after my grandmother. Mattie is short for Matilda. That’s so crazy we were both named after our grandparents.”
He looked bored. “Is it?”
I faltered at his dry response and continued to push the cart forward. “Well, more like crazy coincidence than actually crazy. It’s just interesting is all.”
