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“I might have eaten too many cupcakes.” I clutch my stomach. “By the way, did we bring any of those home with us?” I twist and try to search the back seat under all the baby shower gifts.
Gray rumbles with laughter. “Yes, I think there’s a couple containers of goodies back there.”
“Uh-oh.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I need to pee.”
Gray glances over. “The next rest stop is maybe five minutes ahead. Will you be okay?”
I squirm in my seat. “I’ll make it.”
He presses the accelerator down harder. A few minutes later, he guides the truck to a stop at the curb. “I’ll be right in,” he promises.
“Thank you.” Even though I’m in a hurry, I pop a quick kiss on his cheek.
I wiggle my way out of the truck and hurry inside. The scent of greasy fast-food stirs both my appetite and my nausea. My gaze lands on the ice cream shop as I hurry to the bathroom. I’d kill for a strawberry milkshake.
When I emerge a few minutes later, Gray’s waiting close to the entrance. As if he’s concerned someone might try to steal me away. I clasp his hand and press myself against his side.
He smiles down at me. “Feel better?”
“Much.” My eyes stray toward the ice cream. “Except, now I want a milkshake.”
“Let’s get you a milkshake, then.” He flicks his gaze toward the burger joint. “You sure you wouldn’t rather have real food first? You’ve been eating sugar all day.”
My stomach rebels at the thought of a greasy fried patty. “No.”
“All right.”
We walk up to the counter. I’d been dead set on strawberry but now that I’m up close with ten different flavors, I want them all.
“Oh, they have butter pecan. I wonder if that would make a good milkshake? Chocolate peanut butter…” I all but press my nose up against the glass window of the freezer staring at the large tubs of ice cream.
Gray rumbles with laughter and turns toward the cashier. “Can you make small sizes of the butter pecan, chocolate peanut butter, and strawberry? And one large chocolate peanut butter.”
The cashier glances over his shoulder. “It might take a minute.”
“That’s okay.”
The guy rings up the order. Gray pays for it, then hands over a generous tip and thanks him.
“That was nice,” I say, sliding closer to him.
“I know it’s probably a pain to make all three.”
“You didn’t have to—”
“No.” He curls his arm around my waist, drawing me closer. “Whatever my girl wants, she gets.”
I hum a happy noise and rest my cheek against his chest.
“Strawberry.” The cashier sets a small cup and straw on the counter.
“Why don’t we find a table and I’ll bring the shakes,” Gray suggests.
I scoop the cup off the counter, poke the straw through the top and take a sweet, cold sip of strawberry milkshake. “Ah, so good,” I murmur, closing my eyes to savor the fruity-creamy sweetness on my tongue.
Gray chuckles softly and rests his hand at the small of my back, gently steering me away from the counter.
I’m so focused on my shake—I might need to order another one in a larger size before we go—I don’t notice Gray’s body freeze in place.
I bump into him and have to take my attention off my cup.
A beautiful, polished woman maybe in her late forties blocks our path.
They both stare at each other. Mouths slightly open. Eyes wide.
A fist of fear squeezes around my heart.
This is his ex-wife. Rose. It has to be her. I know it in my bones. The man I love used to be in love with this attractive, elegant, put-together woman.
Her gaze slowly shifts to me. Her eyes widen slightly but otherwise her expression doesn’t change. I fidget and brush my hand over my dress, wishing I’d worn something that covered more of my legs. While she’s giving me the slow once-over, Gray tightens his arm around my waist.
“Rose.” His tone is stiff. Formal. As if this is painfully awkward for him. Somehow, that eases my tension. “How are you?”
Rose shakes herself out of the shock or whatever she’s feeling at seeing her ex-husband. Her wine-red lips curve into a genuine smile. “I’m okay. How are you…adjusting?” She casts a quick look around as if she doesn’t want to broadcast Gray’s business all over the place.
Maybe she’s not so awful after all.
Still, I stand there mute. Waiting for Gray to introduce me. Is he embarrassed to be seen with me? Reluctant to claim me as his girlfriend?
“Uh, Serena,” he says, “this is Rose. Rose, Serena.”
My hands are clutching my milkshake for dear life, so I nod at her. “Nice to meet you.” What else should I say? I think you suck for ditching Gray when he went to prison but thank God you did. He’s mine now. That would probably be overkill and a little rude.
