Page 26 of Unexpected Hero

Another well-thought-out plan by yours truly, burning to the ground in a spectacular blaze of glory.

I paid the hotel up for the next month, but other than that, I’m flat broke.

Papa wasn’t a wealthy man, so my inheritance was next to nothing. I used almost all of it to buy a used car since my old beater was on its last leg. I thought I had enough money leftover for at least three months down here before I ran into trouble. But it didn’t last that long. And I never thought I’d struggle this much in finding a job.

The idea of calling Mama isn’t appealing, but it will probably come to that. I know she won’t let me starve, but it’ll be one more way I’ve failed her. I’m nothing but a disappointment.

Just like the woman who gave birth to me.

My open hand hovers over a sandwich as I calculate how long I can make eighty dollars last. At the last second, I swipe the fruit and cheese snack pack since it’s cheaper.

“Get the sandwich too,” he suggests, pointing his chin at the cooler.

I’m tempted to downplay my situation, insisting I’m not very hungry. Yet he already knows that’s not true given my pathetic episode at the gas pump. Speaking of which, I blame my breakdown on my gnawing hunger. I wasn’t quite hangry, but more like sangry — sad hungry.

When I don’t respond to his suggestion, he grabs the sandwich I was eyeing, along with a large handful of protein bars from on top of the cooler. He sets it on the counter and pushes it toward the cash register.

When the barista returns with our drinks, he asks her, “Do you have any hot food?”

“All I can do is a grilled cheese or oatmeal.”

James looks at me, his brows raised in question. For a moment, I lose myself in the brilliance of his blue-green eyes. The color reminds me of pictures of the Caribbean Sea I’ve seen in magazines and on computer screen savers.

Struck mute, all I can do is blink. He blinks back.

Not commenting on my frozen state, he faces the woman behind the counter. “Can you put all this in a bag? And we’ll take two grilled cheese sandwiches with chips and,” he reaches across the counter to a fruit basket, “two apples.”

Eighty bucks says he’s not going to let me pay for this.

Oh. That’s a savvy way to double my money. Betting on a sure thing like that.

The cashier rings up the order, but I’m ready to pounce as soon as she spits out the total, having dug into my purse.

“Forty-nine eighteen.”

I thrust the eighty dollars at her, not wasting the time it would take to separate the bills. With lightning-fast reflexes, he grabs my wrist, stopping me halfway.

Our eyes meet.

The feel of his skin on mine lights me up from the inside, and a soft gasp passes my lips.

Of course I knew he was going to stop me from paying. I was prepared for that. But I wasn’t prepared for was how good his touch would feel.

Nor was I ready for the intensity in those ocean eyes as he casts a disapproving glare at me. So serious but a hint of compassion hidden behind the tight mask.

The skin over the bridge of his nose crinkles. “Lettie, did you honestly think I was letting you pay?”

Earlier, his tone was flat and somewhat robotic, but now it’s richer. There’s an underlying warmth to his voice, wrapping me up like expensive cashmere.

“Thank you. I’ll pay you back for everything,” I force out, feeling a myriad of emotions I can’t process, so I simply lower my eyes to the ground and try to collect myself while he pays with his card.

The butterflies in my stomach have officially flown up my chest and camped out in my throat.

He’s taking care of me.

And the touch of his skin. Oof.

I haven’t felt human touch for over a month. Not since I hugged Stella goodbye before leaving Georgia. Guess I missed it more than I realized.

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