AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d promised myself that one day I’d travel. But so far, the odds weren’t in my favor.
The glare of the bright lights from the supermarket hit my eyes, and I blinked, surprised. I couldn’t even remember driving there.
I was usually hyperaware of my surroundings, but I’d been feeling off lately. Something big was coming, and I never ignored my intuition. It had saved me more times over the last few years than anything else.
The ominous feeling had stayed with me all week. And I wouldn’t be able to get rid of it until I figured out what was going on.
My trips to the supermarket were my only outings these days, and I always looked forward to wandering the aisles, filling my cart with junk. Even after years of living on my own, I wasn’t used to being able to buy whatever food I wanted.
I still expected my card to get declined at checkout every time I handed it over.
My first stop was the fresh produce aisle. Despite Lenny’s and my love of junk food, I tried to cook healthy meals whenever I was home. I used to freeze his dinners, but he never ate them, opting for pizza instead.
I’d never tested the theory, but I suspected he would happily eat pizza for every meal.
After satisfying my guilty conscience and loading my cart with a few pieces of fruit and vegetables, I went to the soft drinks section. The bottles were heavy, and I always ended up squashing all my food when I got them last. But not today.
I was busy debating if I wanted to get Coke in cans or bottles when someone stopped next to me. “Hello, neighbor.”
The smooth voice washed over me, leaving goose bumps in its wake. Looking up, I met the amber eyes of my new neighbor.
“Hi.”
His eyes danced with laughter at my obvious reluctance to engage in conversation. But he wasn’t deterred. “Late-night shopping?”
Instead of the snarky response that sat on the tip of my tongue, I nodded and loaded my cart with the cans. I could debate which option was better next time.
When I walked away with a chin nod, he fell into step behind me. At least the aisles were too narrow to walk next to each other. “I noticed the kid’s chain has come off again. If you don’t mind, I’ll fix it tomorrow.”
Startled at his offer, I stopped my car, looking behind me. “If you’re serious, that would be amazing. Thank you for the offer.”
I was stubborn and suspicious but not stupid. I’d never turn down help. I had no idea how to get the chain back on and no time to take the bike to the shop. And since it was Lenny’s only method of transportation, I had to get it fixed. He gave me a half-smile and nod, and I continued walking.
He followed me down the junk aisle, stopping when I picked out chips and chocolate that would get me through the week. “Honey and bacon flavor. Good choice.”
He stayed with me through the cleaning aisle, where I debated if I should buy a new mop or just replace the mophead I currently had.
He pulled his cart up next to me. “I can ask my cleaner to drop in this week after she’s done with my apartment.”
I threw the mophead in my car and continued walking. “That’s not necessary. But thank you.”
“It’s a standing offer. Let me know if you change your mind.”
After nodding at him with a small smile, I responded, “I will.”
I knew I’d surprised him with my gratitude when I walked away and it took him a few seconds to follow me.
“I’m Jude Smith, by the way.”
Ignoring him would be rude, and while I might be a bitch, I wasn’t an asshole. “I’m Ariel Caster.”
“Like the mermaid?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, like the mermaid. And yes, I’ve heard every possible joke you could make. I didn’t choose my name. Or my hair color.”
He held up his hands. “I wasn’t going to say anything. Promise.”
I tried hard not to acknowledge what his grin did to me. Or how the arm porn he was currently displaying made me look twice.
