A walk done the aisle

Aurora "Hey Mom, I'm leaving! Love you." I hear her yell, "Okay, love you too, baby!" from her spot on the living room couch. Before I shut the door, I'm already scavenging through my oversized purse for my keys. This is the last thing I need going wrong this morning. First, my alarm didn't go off. Then I burned my breakfast. Now, I can't find my keys. Yes, I know — I could technically walk the ten minutes it takes to get to Pam's bookstore, but with how my luck is going, I'll probably get hit by a car. I get to Pam's around 9:30. As I walk through the door, the bell jingles above me. "You're late, young lady! That car of yours acting up again?" Pam calls leaning over the railing of the top section of the store. I giggle under my breath. "I couldn't even get in my car this morning. I don't know where on God's green earth I put my keys." I walk up the stairs to the checkout counter and toss my bag onto the shelf behind it. "You need to organize that bag of yours," she grumbles. "I know, I know. My mom tells me the same thing. But who has time to sit down and Marie Kondo a god damn purse?" Smack, her hand hits the back of my head. "keep using the Lord's name in vain and you're going to church with me this Sunday." I groan. She lightly taps the back of my arm. "Go do your job." I smile and roll my eyes. "Yes, ma'am." I salute her, grab the rolling cart, and head toward the back rows of the bookstore. At 4 p.m., I'm walking out the door, off to meet Mom, Jordan, and Cora for Monday dinner. I don't remember when or how it started — I think it was after Cora's mom was diagnosed with heart failure and couldn't cook dinner anymore. But ever since then, every Monday without fail, Jordan and Cora are at the table eating with us. "I'm home!" I call out as I walk through the house, heading toward my room. "In the kitchen!" Cora shouts. "I'm not hard of hearing, you know! You don't have to yell so loud." I go to my room to change into a gray matching sweatsuit, then make my way to the kitchen. Rounding the corner, I sit at the counter beside Cora. "How was your day? I heard you couldn't find your keys again," she says with a teasing smirk. "Let's not talk about that, okay?" I sigh. "How was your day?" "Okay, I guess. Boring. And that cute guy in the office turned out to be a temp, so love failed again." She groans dramatically and slams her head on the counter. I laugh and pat her shoulder sympathetically. My mom turns from the stove. "Can one of you girls go to the store and grab some more potatoes? I forgot them, and we don't have any other sides." Then she gives us that face — chin tilted, eyes wide, hands clasped like she's starring in some tragic stage play called The Forgotten Potatoes. She even adds a sigh for effect. Honestly, it's embarrassing how well it works. I roll my eyes and take the bait. Besides, I've been wanting to try this new brand of tea I saw last week. "I'll go," I say, standing. "Just let me change first." Really, I only meant to change my pants — I didn't care how I looked, and most people in this town have known me since I was in diapers. Still, I swap out my sweats for a pair of jeans and take my bun down from earlier when I was working in the filing room at Pam's. "See you," I say to Jordan, smacking him lightly on the head as I pass him from his spot on the couch. "I'm leaving" He chuckles and nods, I head out. I decided to walk — partly because I wanted to listen to my new audiobook, and partly because Grandcreek Ridge is beautiful this time of day. All the trees are getting ready for winter, the air crisp with a nice breeze. It hasn't gotten too cold yet. The sliding doors of the grocery store open with a quiet whoosh. I go straight to the vegetable aisle to grab the potatoes. I pull out my phone to text Mom and ask what size bag she wants. That's when I crash — hard — into what feels like a brick wall. Looking up, I find myself staring into the most chocolate brown eyes I've ever seen in my life. He smirks down at me, and I can't help but stare right back. Axel The music cuts off when my sister's name lights up on the car's Bluetooth. "Hey, Lina. What's up?" "Nothing. Just wanted to know how my big brother's road trip is going." I scoff. "Yeah, right. What are you really calling about? Are Ruinne and Thorin okay?" "They're fine. If you must know, I'm in the hospital again." I run a hand through my hair, gripping the wheel tighter. "High or low?" "Low," she sighs. "Lina," I groan, "you're not a kid anymore. You need to take better care of yourself. Where was Peter?" "The twins were melting down. we were running around, and it slipped both of our minds." I exhale through my nose. "But I have to go. The doctor's here. Talk later." "Talk later. Love you." "Love you too. Bye." The call disconnects. I exhale and focus back on the road, just as I pass the sign that reads: Welcome to Grandcreek Ridge. Pulling into the grocery store parking lot, I kill the engine and head inside. I'm hoping to find something easy for dinner before I start unpacking at the house. In the vegetable aisle, I stop in front of the peppers, staring at them like they'll give me an answer. After a moment, I sigh. Screw it—I'll order pizza. Just as I turn to leave, someone slams into my chest. A woman. I glance down and meet the gaze of two differently colored eyes—one a sharp, ice-blue, the other a deep forest green. They blink up at me, wide. I realize I'm staring. "Are you okay?" I ask. She blinks and steps back, flustered. "Oh, yeah—I'm great. I'm so sorry." I smirk. "Glad to hear. I'm Axel." She eyes my outstretched hand like she didn't expect me to introduce myself. Still, she takes it. "Aurora." We shake briefly. "I don't mean to pry," she says, brushing her hair behind one ear, "but are you new? I've never seen you before, and I know, like... everyone." I chuckle. "Actually, I am. Just moved in." "Really? Where?" I don't know why, but I feel the sudden urge to mess with her. "Here." Confusion flashes across her face before she gets the joke. She smirks. "You're real funny. I meant, like, what house?" "The Dawson place." Her brows lift. "That's a big house for one person. Family?" "Just me and my twins." She pauses. I can't tell what she's thinking. "Girlfriend" she asks skeptically. I shake my head and tuck my hands into my pockets. Her phone rings. "Give me a sec." I nod, and she turns away, answering. "Hey, Mom. What size bag did you want me to get?" A minute or so later, she hangs up and eyes the top shelf. "Think you could help me with that bag?" "Yeah, no problem. Which one?" She points, and I reach up, grabbing the bag and resting it on my shoulder. "Where's the cash register?" I ask. She doesn't answer right away—too busy staring at my biceps. I clear my throat. She looks up at me, cheeks flushing. "This way." She walks ahead, guiding me to the front. I let my gaze drift down her back. Long, chestnut hair spills over her shoulders and brushes against the curve of her hips. And those jeans? Dangerous. At the register, I grab a pack of gum and two water bottles. "I got it," I say, pulling out my wallet. She whips her head around. "No way. We just met. You can't pay for me." "I'm getting more than you. It's easier if I pay. No big deal." I offer my card to the cashier, but she grabs my wrist. "No way," she says again, staring me down. "I can pay for my own potatoes." I grin and gently wiggle my hand free. "I know you can. Just consider it the start of a friendship." I hand the card to the cashier. "Don't you dare, Leslie," Aurora says quickly. The poor cashier looks stuck between us. I grab both of Aurora's hands, gently wrapping my arms around her. "Please scan the card, Leslie," I say with a grin. Aurora struggles a bit, trying to snatch the card back, but it's too late. "Thank you so much," I tell Leslie as she hands me the receipt. Aurora huffs. "That was so dirty. You know that, right?" I shrug. "Maybe. But it worked." She grabs the bag with the gum and water. I take the potatoes, and we walk outside together. "Where's your car?" I ask. Her face falls slightly. "I walked." "Want a ride home?" She studies me for a beat, then nods. "Actually, I wouldn't mind." "Great, because I really didn't feel like walking to your house just to come back here for my car." She chuckles, following me. I pop the trunk, set the bag down, and open the passenger door for her. "Here you go." Once she's in, I close the door and hop into the driver's side. "Where am I going?" "Make a left and go straight." "Okay, boss." We drive down a long dirt road. She turns to me suddenly. "Oh, and by the way—you're staying for dinner." I blink. "I am?" "Yeah, you are." I glance over at her, then back at the road. No point in arguing. Still, I can't help but tease. "Why am I coming to dinner?" "One, because I know for a fact you haven't decided what you're eating. And two, you paid for the potatoes. It's only right you get to have some." She shifts in her seat, turning to face me. I smile. She smiles back, and for a second, I forget to breathe. She has one of those smiles that makes you want to move heaven and earth just to see it again. "What?" she asks, flatly. "Nothing." I turn my head back toward the road, fighting the grin tugging at my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her turning forward again, hands resting in her lap, fiddling with a bracelet around her wrist. God help me.