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She was running a nearly-empty jewelry store next to a chicken restaurant in a strip mall. For some reason, Blaine expected to feel some sort of satisfaction. Vindication, perhaps. Something.
He only felt sadness.
“Are you ring shopping?” she asked, coming a case closer to him.
He kept his focus down in the case, wanting her to know she hadn’t been the reason he’d cooped himself up at Bluegrass Ranch and never dated. “Yes,” he said simply.
“Oh, who are you dating?” Alex asked, curiosity in her voice.
He looked up at her at the same time the door chimed. Alex looked past him, and he turned to find Tam entering the shop.
He put a wide smile on his face and walked toward her. “Hey, baby.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her, the way he’d done many times before when he saw her for the first time that day.
He kissed her until she giggled and ducked her head, saying, “Blaine, we’re in public.”
He knew right where he was, and he laced his fingers through hers as he turned back to Alex. “I think you remember Tam, don’t you, Alex?”
Beside him, Tam sucked in a breath. “Alex,” she said.
Alex narrowed her eyes and moved to stand behind the first case. The glass and little bit of metal was all that separated them, and it definitely felt like a face-off to Blaine.
“Oh, the best friend,” Alex said, her eyes sliding down Tam’s body. Tam wore dirty jeans and a faded T-shirt that had seen some leather glue it its lifetime. “Nice to see you again.”
“We’re actually dating,” Blaine said. “We’re here to look at engagement rings, actually.” He wanted to tape his mouth shut so he wouldn’t sayactuallyagain. He’d almost sounded like he was bragging.
To his surprise, Alex burst out laughing. When neither Tam nor Blaine did, she quieted. “Oh, you weren’t kidding.”
“No,” Blaine said, frowning. “I’m not kidding.” Why would she think he was? Was the idea of him and Tam so laughable? Had she not seen him making out with her a moment ago?
Alex looked back and forth between Tam and Blaine. “I just don’t see it, I guess.” She bent her head to look in the case. “I’m not sure we have anything for you.”
“You meanyoudon’t have anything for us,” Blaine said, his fingers tightening on both hands. “Unless you have a mouse in your pocket.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “There are other jewelry stores in town, Blaine.”
“You don’t want my money?” he asked, shocked. The Alex he knew had cared about money a great deal.
Alex’s eyes widened for a moment, as if she’d just realized what she’d said. Her jaw clenched, and the stubbornness he knew so well manifested itself in her eyes next. “No,” she said. “I’d appreciate it if you left.”
Blaine really wished he’d had that rock when he’d entered the first time. He shook his head and smiled. “Good luck, Alex.”
“Good luck to you too, Blaine.” She glanced at Tam and looked like she’d smelled something bad. “Tam.”
Blaine didn’t take a breath until he was outside. His thoughts raced, and he paced away from the store, practically dragging Tam with him. “I don’t believe her.”
“What is she doing there?” Tam asked.
“She owns that place. Something must’ve happened with her family.” He needed to do a search. He should call his mom and ask her too, as she ran in all the same high society circles Alex did. Or had.
He reached the end of the sidewalk and realized he didn’t need to go that way. “I wonder what happened to put her in that lame shop. Did you see that case? It hardly had anything in it.” He didn’t mention her lackluster customer service from the first time he’d entered the store.
“Blaine,” Tam said, but he couldn’t hold still. She released his hand as he went back toward his truck. He collected his phone from the cab and called his mother.
“Blaine,” Tam said again, and he just lifted his hand to indicate he’d like her to wait a moment, please.
“Mom,” Blaine said the moment his mother answered. “What’s going on with Alexandra Alloy?”
“What do you mean?” Mom asked.
