Page 53 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
“Yay. Have fun. And you don’t have to come in tonight, if you don’t want to, you know. I can handle the bar.”
“Quit it, would you?” said Chase.
“I’m only trying to help.”
“And I appreciate it,” said Ben. “In fact, I may even take you up on the offer.”
“See!” Kenzie grinned at Chase.
“Anyway,” said Ben. “I’d better do the rounds. I’ll catch you guys later.”
“I’ll stop in and see you before we leave,” said Renée.
~ ~ ~
Charlotte wandered up and down the aisles of the grocery store, tossing random items into her cart. It wasn’t even as though she needed much yet, it was just that grocery shopping seemed to ground her somehow. It was a mindless, mundane task that she often turned to when her mind was in turmoil. She didn’t even know why she was in turmoil this morning. She shouldn’t be. Not after last night. After she and Ben had talked, she’d felt a sense of peace as they lay there in bed. Lying there with his arms around her, she felt as though she’d finally been able to return home. Even now, she didn’t know what had possessed her to run away when she’d seen Angel this morning. She’d just acted on instinct. She sighed as she turned into the breakfast aisle. Maybe that was what had her in such turmoil. She didn’t think of herself as flighty anymore, and yet, her instinct had still been to run. What she should have done, she knew now, was to stand there beside Ben. She still could have greeted Angel, still could have been nice to her, but she could have made it clear, could have claimed him. She stared at all the breakfast cereals, not knowing what to choose and wondering why she cared.
She glanced up as a figure came striding down the aisle toward her. He looked familiar, though she couldn’t quite place him. He looked a little out of place too. He wore black jeans and a black T-shirt, black cowboy boots, and a black cowboy hat. She realized she was staring when he met her gaze. And when he did, his light blue eyes gave him away. It was Missy’s big brother.
“Chance!”
His eyes narrowed as he looked her over suspiciously. Then recognition dawned on his face and he smiled. “Charlie! Missy said you were coming. How the devil are you?”
She nodded. “I’m doing great, thanks. I can’t quite believe I’m back here yet, but I’m glad I am.”
“I bet I know someone who feels the same way.”
She smiled. Chance was Missy’s big brother, and he’d looked out for all her friends when they were kids. He’d always had a soft spot for Ben. “I hope he does.”
“How long have you been here? Have you seen him?”
“I’ve been here a couple of days now, and yes, we started catching up.”
Chance tipped his hat back and looked her in the eye. “And how’s that going?”
She nodded. “So far, so good.”
“I hope it works out for you. Just don’t hurt him.”
“I don’t want to, but then I never did. In fact, I don’t want to hold you up now, but could I have a chat with you at some point?”
Chance narrowed his eyes. “About what?”
“About what might be best for him.”
“I think that’s for him to decide.”
She sighed. “I know that, but I also know that he’d never do anything to hurt me, even though that might be what’s best for him.”
Chance nodded and turned to look at the cereals. “I just hit town. I always like to bring Scotty some pop-tarts. That’s why I’m in here. Are you coming out to see Missy?”
Charlotte thought about it; she hadn’t been planning to.
“I think you should.” He picked out a box of pop-tarts and raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m betting she’ll have some input for any conversation we have.”
“Okay. I’ll see you over there.”
Chapter Fifteen
