Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“You go to school with Mack?”
The girl nods. I scan her shirt for her name tag but don’t see one.
“And your sister-in-law, although we aren’t friends.”
“Oh.” I’m not sure what to say to that.
“It’s okay though.” She shrugs. “If you need anything, let me know. I’ll probably follow you around because she’s the cutest thing ever,” she says as she makes kissy faces at Stevie Nicks.
“Thank you. I’m sure she’ll lap up the attention.” I slip her another treat before being well-behaved and start pushing the cart through the vegetable section. I hate buying groceries when it’s only me. Noah won’t be back until the weekend and Elle and Ben are in Los Angeles at the moment. I know I can go to the Westburys’, but I don’t want to show up and expect them to feed me every day. Tomorrow, Josie and I are getting manicures and pedicures. She said I need to feel pretty at all times during the pregnancy because there will be times when I won’t.
I also realize I don’t like grocery shopping unless I have a list. I didn’t make one, hoping something would speak to me as I zigzag these aisles. Yet, nothing jumps out at me. Turning the corner, I push my cart around a man in a suit.
“You people shouldn’t be allowed to bring a dog into the store.”
Ignore him.
I avoid making eye contact or letting him see any sign his words affect me. I get it. People don’t like dogs in stores. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions. Some dogs misbehave while others, like Stevie Nicks, sit in a cart and don’t bother anyone. It’s also not about dogs bothering people, but about cleanliness. Still, his comment is unwarranted. If he has a problem, he can go to management, and they can ask me to leave.
Only the man comes toward me. I turn slightly when he gets closer and freeze. It’s weird, knowing someone you’ve never met, simply by the fact no one in your family likes him. It’s disconcerting though. This man brings out a sense of fear in me, and I don’t like it. I grip the cart as he stalks toward me.
He stops, only two steps in front of me. “You know who I am?”
I nod. At least I think I do.
“Where’s Noah?”
“Um. . .”
“Um. . .” he mocks me. “Do you know, or are you the unintelligent one of the two?”
“Excuse me?”
“Ah, she talks. Where’s Noah?”
I say nothing.
“He’s my grandson, I want—”
“It doesn’t matter what the fuck you want.”
I lean to the side and see Liam stalking toward us. I’ve never felt so much relief in my life. He looks angry and ready to kick Sterling’s ass. I’m here for it.
“You okay?” he asks when he’s closer.
“Yes,” my voice is weak, and I hate it.
Liam turns to Sterling. They’re the same height, but you’d never be able to tell one is the son and the other is the father. They’re the opposite of each other in every way. Liam’s bicep bulges through his shirt sleeve as he raises his hand and points at Sterling, who’s dressed in a suit.
“It behooves you to leave her alone. In fact, leave both of Mason’s daughters alone.”
Sterling scoffs. “What are you going to do? Hit me? I’d like to see you try.”
“You’d be worth the battery charge, Sterling. All I need is two, one for me and one for my mother. Right in your fucking jaw. But that’s after my son has had his chance with you. How dare you approach his wife the way you did, and then insult her? You’ve got a death wish, old man, and I’ll happily watch them carry you out in a body bag.”
Liam drops his hand and comes toward me.
“You believe her lies.”
Liam makes eye contact with me and rolls his eyes.
“You ruined your life the day you knocked that girl up.”
Liam turns and rushes Sterling. I react and grab him. “He’s not worth it.”
He raises his hand again. “You . . .” He pauses and collects himself. “Stay away from my family and don’t you ever mention my wife again. Better yet, get the fuck out of my town. You left once, leave again.”
Sterling sneers as I pull Liam away.
“Come, he’s not worth it. Look,” I say as I turn him around. “Isn’t Stevie Nicks cute, sitting in the cart like a good girl?”
Liam scoops her up and holds her to his chest. I don’t need to ask him what he’s doing. I know. She’s calming him down or he’s using her as a shield. Something to hold him back from pummeling Sterling, who absolutely deserves to have his ass beat. I’m thankful Noah wasn’t here. I’m not so sure how he’d react, especially if Sterling made a jab about his mom.
We get to the end of the aisle and pause. Liam stares straight ahead. “He’s gone,” I tell him. “Hopefully, he left the store.”