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By the time we reached Ollie’s there was still a decent number of cars in the parking lot. I got lucky and managed to claim an empty spot only a few spaces away from the entrance.
Before getting out I did a quick swap of tops, exchanging my t-shirt for the tank top Emery had grabbed me. Had it been daylight, and my windows not slightly tinted someone would have caught an eyeful of boob.
My C-cups didn’t exactly need to be restrained so they were always free. I would have gone in as I was if it weren’t for one of the girls potentially passing out from second-hand embarrassment.
With the way my nipples were straining against the thin cotton material I didn’t see how this was much better than before, but whatever. I chucked my ruined T into the backseat, and then hopped out.
Annika and Emery both turned to face me when I got up next to the hood.
“If you two go for the Tequila, I’ll grab everything else,” Annika said.
“Everything else?”
“You’re out of munchies.”
“Oh, good idea then.” If we were going to drink, we’d need something to soak up the liquor.
No way was I consuming my weight in alcohol on an empty stomach. I’d learned that lesson the hard way last week.
Just as she said she would, we entered the store and Annika grabbed a basket, heading for the snacks while me and Em went to the liquor section located in the back.
I got a few curious stares and a couple disapproving glares. I was certain this was because of what I was wearing, and who my parents were. I had always flown beneath the radar, keeping to myself and minding my own business. It was my parents’ actions that had thrust me into a spotlight I didn’t want.
Of course, no one had the nerve to say anything to me directly unless they were feigning concern or offering words of pity. They’d been gone almost two months now, and though I still wore the veil of a soft-spoken and quiet young woman, I wasn’t as approachable as I’d been before. I had a viable excuse as of late, dealing with all the judgement that followed a tragedy.
I could have packed all my stuff up, sold the house, and left this town in my rearview but given the history, no one wanted to buy it and that wasn’t what I wanted. My best friends were here. Its where I grew up.
There was so much that held sentimental value in this damn town, and without the physical, it’s all I had left of the two most important people in my life.
As for the way I was dressed, these strangers’ discomfort was stronger than mine. I wasn’t insecurity driven. They could stare at me until they were blue in the face. But I still did find myself smiling when Emery aimed a death glare at a woman blatantly eyeballing me. I was about to open my mouth and tease her about defending my honor, plagued suddenly by some freakish sixth sense.
It was like a scene ripped right out of a movie. Time slowed to a crawl, tiny prickles of awareness danced up spine, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck. I looked over my shoulder just as two guys came around the corner. One was pushing a cart, both were unfamiliar.
“What’s up Em?” a smooth, husky voice came from the larger of the two.
“Hey,” she chirped in greeting, her tone suddenly upbeat.
When the hell had they met? My eyes clashed with a gorgeous shade of greys for barely a second before I tore my gaze away and refocused on the shelves in front of me.
“Where’ve you been hiding?”
“Um. Nowhere. I wasn’t aware anyone couldn’t find me,” Em replied jokingly.
“Any preference?” I interjected, gesturing to the shelf of Tequila.
“I was talking to your friend.”
A lull in conversation made me realize he was referring to me. I was the friend. I glanced over, and then up because mystery man had me by a good few inches.
I’d already known I had never seen him before, but this confirmed it. He struck me as someone that wasn’t easily forgettable.
Tall and broad shouldered, he was dressed in dark jeans and a plain black T. Tanned muscular arms were covered in intricate ink, from geometric to various memento mori. Beneath his clothing was who knows how many more.
If not for my default disposition I’d have requested to see them then and there. I loved all things art, and the designs etched onto people’s skin never ceased to amaze me. And while not my usual type, with a head of thick, jet black hair that styled in a sexy, modern undercut and a jaw that looked as if it could cut glass, this was a man any woman wouldn’t mind waking up next to.
