Page 72 of Here & Now

She paid, and the cashier handed her a large, handled bag with the books. “Thank you so much. Come again.”

“Oh, I will.” Bree started to walk away but then realized he wasn’t with her.

She looked over her shoulder and saw him paying for something at the register.

“I’ll meet you outside,” he said.

She went outside, and he soon rejoined her, carrying a small bag. She was curious about what he’d bought but decided it was none of her business.

He walked her to the car, and she saw his Jeep parked right next to it. He must have arrived soon after she had, but she’d been so engrossed in shopping that she hadn’t noticed him come in.

She unlocked the car, and he opened the passenger door so she could set her bag inside. When she turned to thank him, he was standing so close she could reach out and touch him. She wanted to, but she didn’t.

“Thank you,” she said instead.

“No problem. I guess I’ll see you tonight, then.”

She nodded. “Six o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.” He turned away, hopped into the Jeep, and drove off.

She got into her car and sat there for a few minutes, trying to make sense of everything. Last night, she’d sworn she’d seen the last of him, and now she’d invited him to dinner! It seemed like she couldn’t stay away from him. He’d followed her here, though, so it wasn’t all her fault.

With a sigh, she left the bookstore and drove to the nearest grocery store. For now, she was certain of only one thing: she would not be buying spinach!