Page 58 of Facing the Line

“It’s okay,” I tell the woman, steadying Hadley, and take a step back. “Sorry about that.”

I hand her the chips, never glancing away, and she puts them in the cart. Her pulse visibly throbs at the base of her neck like a fluttering hummingbird, and at least I’m not the only one who was affected by that. But what’s gotten into me? We agreed to a secret summer fling—public grocery store make-outs are definitely off-limits. I’ve got to get a handle on myself and my impulses.

Pull it together, Jonas.

Her cheeks are pink, the same color as the cute little off-the-shoulder shirt she’s wearing. But she clears her throat, and says, “Moving on. What’s next?”

“Protein and sauce. I think that’s the next aisle over.”

“Sounds good.”

When we get to the condiments, she taps her finger on her chin, surveying our options. “Teriyaki? Or sweet and sour?”

“I don’t know what you’d call it, but my mom makes her own sauce.” I hold up soy sauce and sriracha. “Wanna try it? We need to find garlic and maybe some honey or olive oil.”

“Sure. What do you recommend for protein?”

“You like chicken, right?” She nods, and I lean in to whisper. “I’m gonna tell you a secret. We could buy fresh or… we could buy the easy frozen stuff. It tastes just as good.”

She looks at me, eyes twinkling, and my belly swoops. “Jonas, you’re such a rebel.”

“Shh, don’t tell and ruin my good guy reputation.”

“I would never betray you like that.” With a wink, she spins on her sandal and saunters to the frozen food section. I follow with the cart.

“Brrr.” Hadley stops in front of the frozen chicken and shivers as I open the door and toss a bag into the cart. “I hate how cold these aisles are.”

“Come’ere.” I can’t resist the chance to wrap her in my arms. Is it unnecessary? Absolutely. But I must have left my common sense at home. “I’ll keep you warm.”

“My hero.” She gazes at me again, and my heart beats faster. I know she’s teasing, but the depths in her eyes draw me in. I want her words to be true. I want to be the most important person in her life.

Without thinking, I bend my mouth to hers and kiss her. She tastes like lemonade, sweet and tart. I want to drink her up, consume every last drop. She responds by fisting my shirt in her hands and pulling me closer.

“Daddy! True love’s kiss!”

Oh god. I put space between us and peer down to see a rapt little girl, brown eyes shining, and her glaring dad standing behind her. Hadley blushes as the girl smiles.

“You look like Rapunzel and Flynn Rider!”

The dad claps a hand on his daughter’s shoulder and turns her away. “Geeze. Keep it PG, folks.”

Hadley giggles as they exit the aisle and buries her head in my chest. “Whoops. I hope we didn’t corrupt her.”

“She seemed okay.” I clear my throat. “I think of you more as Cinderella, but Rapunzel is cool, too.”

She twirls a strand of her hair. “You and your princess obsession. I’m honored.

I can’t help but smile. “Do you have a favorite?”

“Disney princess?” she asks, staring around at the store like this isn’t a normal thing to discuss.

“Yeah. Because I love Aladdin. He’s the best prince.”

She raises a tantalizing brow. “Are you asking me to cosplay Jasmine? Couples costume for the hockey Halloween party next year?”

Not gonna lie, that visual stops me in my tracks. “Um.”

But she shakes her head. “Probably not smart. Since we won’t be together by then.”

---