Page 23 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"I'm paying you."

"No."

"You can't just give me all of this."

"Pretty sure I just did."

"Martinez."

"Hart."

Apparently we're doing this now.

"I don't take free food from farmers."

"Good policy."

"Then take my money."

"No."

"Why?"

His gaze shifts past me. Toward Noah. Then returns to mine.

"Because Lily was family around here."

The argument disappears from my mouth. Just like that. My fingers loosen around my wallet. He doesn't say anything else. Doesn't give me that look people have been giving me for weeks. Doesn't tell me how sorry he is. He simply picks up the canvas bag and holds it out. I take it. It's heavier than I expected.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

For the first time since I walked up to his stand, neither of us is fighting. It feels strangely more dangerous. I adjust the bag against my hip. Noah gives Atlas one last pat and comes back to me.

"Ready?"

He nods. I turn to leave.

"Hart."

I look back. Javier is watching me.

"Welcome home."

Something inside me closes before I can stop it.

"This isn't home."

His eyes stay on mine for a beat.

"Okay."

That's all. No argument. No smug little smile. No reminder that I've been here for three weeks. Just okay. I don't know why that bothers me more than if he'd disagreed. I turn away.

Noah looks into the canvas bag as we make our way through the market.

"He gave you all that for free?"