Page 51 of Mending Hearts

I pointed to my head and face. “I’m wearing a hat and sunglasses inside at the beginning of April in New York State. Clearly, this is a disguise.” At his sideways glance of amusement, I grinned. “I actually thought there might still be snow on the ground. That’s why I packed so much stuff.” Didn’t explain why I had chosen to wear so little out of the house. Without a doubt, my nipples would try to leave my body in the frozen food aisle.

“That’s why you packed so much stuff?” His voice was full of disbelief.

“Well.” I laughed. “Maybe I just like clothes.” With another glance around, I shrugged. “No one has asked me for an autograph or a selfie. Am I in an alternate universe where I’m not famous?”

“You actually want people to ask you for those things in the grocery store?” He stopped walking and squinted.

“If I don’t want to be seen, I stay home.” I flipped my hair onto my shoulder. “That’s what my mom always says. Leaving the house is an agreement to be social, to be on, to be accessible.”

“You mean, your manager.” He picked up some apples and examined them before putting them back.

“Sure, my momager. I learned a long time ago the two roles aren’t separate. She might try to separate them once in a while, but she can’t.” Short of firing her as my manager, I wasn’t sure what I could do. Easier, and probably simpler, to fire Laura from being my mother.

“Hmm…” Tyler plucked an apple and dropped it in the clear plastic bag and then grabbed a few more.

“Tyler?”

We both looked up, startled at the interruption. When I saw who it was, I slid my hand across Tyler’s back. Danai’s gaze followed my hand, her lips tightening.

“I didn’t realize you were back in town,” Danai said.

Before he could speak, I jumped in. “Just got here last night. I don’t think we’ve met.” I extended the hand that wasn’t perched on Tyler’s broad shoulder. “I’m Mia Malone.” Danai accepted my hand in a loose, brief shake.

“I know who you are. The grocery store was buzzing when I walked in the doors with the news you were wandering the aisles. I didn’t realize you were with Tyler.”

“Yep.” That sounded better. People were talking about me at least. I smiled wide. “I’m with Tyler.” When I turned to him, he was searching my expression.

“You’re such a puzzle,” he said.

“What can I say, I have an addiction to them.” I flushed.

“That you do.” He gave me one last sweeping glance before focusing on Danai. “It’s nice to see you. Sorry, I haven’t called. The tour was hectic, and we just got into town. You’re doing well?”

“Very well,” Danai said. “Things are great. The tour was good?”

“I survived. Happy to be home.” A brief smile flashed across his face.

My heart sank, and I straightened, letting my hand fall off his shoulder. I grabbed an apple and slipped it into the bag dangling from Tyler’s fingers. I’d been reduced to an experience he survived.

When Danai wandered away, he slid his arm around my shoulders and tugged me into his side, his lips brushing against my hat. “Don’t read into what I said. I liked being on tour with you.”

“So, why would you say that to her?”

“Because it’s true. I survived the tour, and Iamhappy to be home. I survived the tour because of you, and I’m happy to be home, because you’re here too. I wasn’t going to give her some big, long story when her presence made you uncomfortable.”

“Just, you know, ballpark figure. How many ex-girlfriends am I going to come face-to-face with in this town?” I tipped my hat and slid down my sunglasses to make eye contact.

“How far back are we going? ’Cause if we’re going back to kindergarten, you’re in trouble. Those were my player days.”

“That was a serious question.” I smacked him in the chest, and he chuckled.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about. While you’re here, I’ve only got eyes for you, okay?” Our gazes locked, a fire smoldering. “You need your ego stroked, let me know, and I’ll look after it.”

A sly grin tipped the edges of my lips, and I polished the apple in my hand against my breasts. “I wouldn’t mind stroking your ego, Pretty Boy.” I gave him an exaggerated wink.

“If that isn’t an incentive to forget the groceries and head straight home, I don’t know what is.” He laughed and tugged me against his side again.

“Sorry,” I said with a grin. “You gotta feed us. Doctor’s orders.”

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