Page 2 of Gunner

“And?”

“If I can’t see Mommy, then Mommy can’t see me.” Caleb’s lower lip pokes out, and I pinch both of mine together to hide my amusement.

“Exactly! You can’t just run off on your own. It’s not safe, baby.” Her tone is a mix of relief and anxiety rolled into one.

“I’m sorry, Mommy.”

I feel like I’m intruding on their conversation as it seems they both have forgotten I’m still standing here. But I couldn’t care less as I take a moment to drink in the sight of Lily. She’s changed since the last I saw her—granted, we were both only eighteen years old back then. Her body has filled out perfectly, soft in all the right places, as a woman should be. She’s wearing a well-worn pair of black jeans and an old Aerosmith t-shirt that’s seen better days, but the fact remains that Lily Carter is still the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met.

She pushes back the few strands of honey-brown hair that have escaped her messy bun and glances over at me. Realizing that I’m watching her, she cowers into herself, wrapping her arms around her torso. Surely she’s not feeling insecure? Because she has absolutely nothing to be insecure about. She may be a mama now, but she’s still hot as fuck.

Lily clears her throat, reminding me that I’m ogling her. Then she tugs the boy to stand in front of her and smiles sweetly at me. “This is Caleb, my son.” Looking down at him, she says, “Caleb, this is James Black, Mommy’s friend from high school.”

They both return their gazes to me. And my mouth twitches. She knows damn fucking well we were more than just friends; though it’s probably best not to get into the details with the kid. He looks to be about six or seven, and I don’t want to make this weird for him.

I offer Caleb a shake instead, slapping on my most docile expression. “Nice to meet you, little man.” My voice remains even and low, knowing I can look intimidating as fuck to strangers.

The corners of Caleb’s mouth turn down and takes my hand. “I’m sorry… about running into you.”

I ruffle his sandy-brown hair. “No problem, kid. Just be careful from now on. And stay with your mama. I’m sure you gave her quite a scare today.”

Lily is seemingly appreciative as her eyes roam across my face. She looks as though she wants to say more but apparently thinks better of it and remains quiet. I haven’t seen this woman in ten years. I should say something. I need to say something because I can’t let her get away again.

But the awkward silence stretches between us, neither of us taking the initiative. Something like hurt or maybe disappointment flashes behind Lily’s eyes, and my heart clenches at the sight.

“Well, it was nice bumping into you, James.” Her melancholy smile doesn’t reach her eyes when she grips Caleb’s hand and guides him along. “Maybe we’ll see you around.” She takes the kid and pushes her cart around the corner, leaving me standing here dumbfounded.

What the fuck just happened? Did I really see Lily?

There’s a hundred million ways I pictured our reunion going and that wasn’t one of them. Seeing Lily again after all these years, I thought she would be happier, but that didn’t seem to be the case. She was slightly tense and a touch uncomfortable, like she wasn’t sure what to make of the situation, and I’m not sure why.

I stroke my beard, briefly reminiscing about the girl I loved in high school. The girl who always wore a bright smile on her face. The kind of smile that could put anyone at ease. Fucking radiant and tantalizing like a damn ray of sunshine.

The woman who stood in front of me a few minutes ago didn’t wear that kind of smile anymore. She’s changed, as if the brilliant light that shone inside her has been dimmed. And I don’t fucking like it.

Lily owes me nothing, but I need to know what’s happened to her these past several years. Did I do this to her, or was it someone else?

Regardless, I’ve never forgotten all that I gave up back then. I had my reasons and thought I was doing what was best for her at the time, even though I was just some dumb kid who didn’t know his ass from a hole in the wall. It was a mistake. I never should’ve let her go.

But if she thinks she can waltz by me at the fucking grocery store with only a brief encounter, she’s sadly fucking mistaken.

I snap into action and hurry after her, glancing down the aisles and checkout lanes for any sign of her. But nothing. She’s not here. My chest squeezes at the thought that I may have missed her, that I waited too late to make my move.

Well, fuck that shit.

I abandon my basket and sprint out of the store. Scanning the parking lot, I spot her down the middle of a lane, pushing her cart of groceries with Caleb in tow. Relief washes over me that I still have a chance.

“Lily! Wait!” I shout as I jog toward her. Her head turns in my direction and tilts at the sight of me approaching her car.

“James?” She blinks. “What are yo?—”

“Are you back? Are you here for good?” I cut her off.

Her brows furrow as she answers cautiously. “Yes.”

I glance at her left hand but ask to be sure. “Are you married?”

A darkness clouds her expression, and she pauses as if she’s reliving a bad memory. “No, I’m not married.”

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