Page 14 of Summer with the Single Dad

The same cart he collided with earlier.

“Shit,” Bennett breathed, taking in Justine’s pinking cheeks.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t even looking.”

“You go first,” Bennett insisted. “You have way less in your cart.”

“No, no. You go. You were here first.”

“Well, one of you needs to go because the rest of us are waiting to get in line. I’d prefer to get home before dark, if you don’t mind,” said old Mrs. Mullins, a crotchety local with a voice like rocks in a coffee grinder and a personality to match.

Bennett bowed his head, as did Justine, and they allowed Mrs. Mullins to go ahead of them. She didn’t thank either of them and just harrumphed, and glared at them as she loaded the conveyor belt with her items.

This, of course, forced Bennett and Justine to stand in line together and wait.

Which meant more of that wonderfully awkward silence and his ridiculous attempt at flirting.

God, he just needed to stop. He was obviously terrible at it.

“Find everything on your list?” he asked, unsure if he should peer into her cart or not. Was that rude? What if she had like condoms or lube or something in there?

“I did, yeah. Thanks for the tip about parking my cart and walking down the stairs. It was a lot easier.”

His gaze drifted down to the inside of her cart. Nothing weird or sexual stood out. Unless she had questionable plans for that cucumber?

“What about you?” she asked. “Find everything?”

“I, uh, I just have to stop at Barrington’s Bees for some honey. Then I’ll be set.”

Her interest piqued. “Oh? There’s a local apiary on the island?”

“There is. And in my opinion, it’s the best honey in the state. Small batches, ethically and sustainably sourced. Their bees are very happy. They’re also part of a local cooperative, providing their wax to local artisans for various crafts like lip balm, candles, lotions and stuff.”

“Is it far from here? I’d love to check it out.”

“Just down the road. Right at the crossroads out front. Due north. Then about a quarter mile straight down the road, hang a left into their driveway, then another quarter mile to their house and honey store. I’m happy to grab you something if you’d like. I’m going there anyway.”

Mrs. Mullins finished paying Wallace for her groceries. Then it was Justine’s turn. She loaded up her few items from her cart and Wallace scanned them.

“Oh, I think I’ll go on my own. Thanks. I’d like to see what other things they have.” She smiled that fake smile again, aiming it at Wallace as well, as she fished out her credit card from her wallet.

“Do you have a reusable bag, or would you like to purchase a paper bag for fifty cents?” Wallace asked.

“Oh … uh … I guess I’ll buy a paper bag. I don’t have my reusable bags—”

“I’ve got more than enough,” Bennett said, grabbing two from his cart and handing them over.

“I can afford fifty cents,” Justine protested.

“Yeah, but those paper bags don’t have any handles. They’re awkward as hell to carry. Here.”

Color filled her cheeks again and his cock twitched in his shorts.

Goddamn it, she was beautiful.

She accepted the bags. “Thank you. I’ll return these to you back at the … at the cabins.”

“Oh, are you a guest?” Wallace asked, as he helped Justine bag her items.

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