Page 33 of Tanner

Miles stepped out into the cold with the grocery bag in one hand and his jacket zipped up against the wind. He crossed the yard, got into his truck, and sat there for a moment before starting the engine.

He should have gone straight home, but instead he sat there with Tanner’s situation in his head and everything Cody had said bouncing around his head.

Miles started the truck and drove off, knowing full well he was already in deeper than he should be and he’d only met Tanner twice. Sleeping with him had only made it worse.

Chapter Ten

Tanner had worked out a routine by the end of the week, and he stuck to it. He got Savannah up, fed her breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, and made calls when he could stand it. Most of them went nowhere. By Friday afternoon he had a short list in his pocket, a headache building behind his eyes, and just enough food left in the house that he couldn’t put off going to the grocery store any longer.

Savannah sat in the cart seat with a box of crackers in her lap, humming to herself while Tanner pushed her down the cereal aisle. He kept one eye on her and the other on the shelves, adding up prices in his head before he picked anything up. He had a basket clipped into the cart with the things they actually needed. Bread. Milk. Pasta. Apples. Diapers for nighttime because Savannah still needed them. He reached for a jar of pasta sauce, checked the price, and put it back for the cheaper one.

“You always look this happy buying groceries?”

Tanner turned too fast and nearly clipped the cart into the shelf. Miles stood at the end of the aisle in his uniform with his hat tucked under one arm and a basket in his hand. He must have just come in off shift or was heading in to work. Tanner’s stomach tightened before he could stop it.

Savannah looked up and smiled at once. “Hi.”

Miles smiled back, easier than Tanner felt. “Hey, sweetheart.”

Tanner kept one hand on the cart handle. “What are you doing here?”

“Buying food,” Miles said. “Thought that part was obvious.”

Tanner gave him a look, but it didn’t hit the way he wanted it to. Not with Savannah already twisting in her seat to see him better. Miles stepped closer and rested his basket against his leg.

“You okay?” he asked.

Tanner shrugged. “Getting groceries.”

“I can see that.”

Tanner looked away, fingers tightening around the cart handle. “Thanks for sorting the electric.”

Miles’ expression softened, but he didn’t make a big deal out of it. “I wanted too.”

“You paid the reconnection fee.”

“And you can pay me back when you’re able.”

Tanner hated that. He hated that Miles said it like it was simple. “We’re good.”

Savannah held up the crackers. “I got these.”

Miles nodded seriously. “Good choice.”

Tanner watched him for a second, then looked away. It had been a week since Miles had been at the house and dropped off the groceries Cody had given him. A week since Tanner had stood in the kitchen with him and kissed him, then more. He’d thought about it more than he wanted to admit. Had told himself it had only happened once, and he should forget about it, but found he couldn’t.

Miles glanced into the cart. “You want help unloading the heavy stuff?”

“I can manage.”

“I figured you could.”

There was something in his voice that made Tanner look at him again. Not pushing. “We’re good.”

Savannah said, “Can he come over?”

Tanner’s grip tightened on the handle. “Savannah.”