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“Good luck tomorrow. Let me know how it goes.”
“Will do. See you Monday.”
Stopping at the store is the last thing I feel like doing, but if I don’t, I’ll have to go early tomorrow. And I know I’ll want to do it even less then. Thankfully it’s on the way home.
There aren’t many cars in the parking lot, so hopefully I can get in and out in the blink of an eye. I mentally went over my list as I walked into the store and grabbed a basket. After picking up apples, brown sugar, and flour, I stopped at the dairy section for heavy cream. I’m not sure of our egg situation so I added a dozen to the basket before making my way to the front of the store.
I was a few steps from the checkout line when I heard Brian’s voice. My stomach twisted and a feeling of panic washed over me before I reminded myself that he’s not part of my life any longer and can’t affect me. I enjoyed the sense of relief for a second before mentally beating myself up for having such a shitty reaction in the first place. Then I gave myself a pass since this is the first time I’m seeing him in person since we broke up.
All that happened in the short time between hearing his voice and turning to see him walking toward me. By the time he was next to me, I had my emotions under control. Mostly.
“Keera,” he said. “It’s been a while.”
“Brian.”
He followed me to the check-out and I felt his eyes on me as I placed my items on the conveyor belt. Of course I’d run intohimwhen I look like crap. I fought the urge to fidget with my hair or suck in my stomach. Old habits die hard, unfortunately. It just sucks that I ever formed those habits in the first place.
Supposedly the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get to the point where the thought of the five years I wasted with him won’t make my blood boil.
“I heard you got laid off from Wilder.” I nodded. “What are you doing now?”
The cashier finished checking out the person in front of me, giving me a reason to ignore Brian’s question. I hyper-focused on the woman as she scanned and bagged my items. After paying, I grabbed the bag then half turned and nodded at Brian before heading toward the door.
As I walked to my car, I mentally patted myself on the back for handling the situation so well. Yes, I had some thoughts and reactions I wish I didn’t, but at least I kept it cool on the outside.
I just placed my hand on my door handle when I heard him call my name again.
“Hey, wait up.”
Taking in a calming breath, I let it out slowly as he approached and raised my right brow.
“You’re not going to even say anything?” he asked.
“What do you want me to say?”
“I asked you a question. An answer would be nice.”
“I’m working at the pole studio.”
“What are you doing for a full-time job?”
“Thatismy full-time job.”
He shook his head and let out a chuckle. That’s my cue to leave. I don’t want to get into this with him and don’t have any reason to. I opened my door and tossed the bag into the passenger seat.
“That’s it? You’re just leaving?”
“I need to get home. I have things to do.”
“You don’t want to get a drink? Get caught up?”
In the past, the smile he flashed would have had me halfway to orgasm, but now it just looks smarmy. I’ll consider that progress.
“No, I’m beat.”
“Maybe some other time?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
