Page 2 of Just This Once

Cue internal groaning . . .

I shook my head. “Oh, wow . . . that sure is . . . something.” I nodded. “So . . . I’m leaving.”

Dickie followed me step for step as I hurried down the sidewalk. “Oh, Emily, you don’t get it. This isn’t about money—it’s about investing in your health! Think about it. What’s more important than your well-being?”

I shivered and cut across the roadway where I knew he’d parked his car. “Well... my bank account, for one thing.”

When a car honked at us, he simply waved a hand. “Ha! You’re too funny. But seriously, our products are an absolute bargain for the value they provide. And the best part is, if you join my team, you can earn commission by selling these products to your friends and family!”

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my eyes from rolling to the back of my head and getting permanently stuck. I hummed through gritted teeth. “Sounds like a dream. Your car is that way.”

I gestured down the roadway, and his smile melted from his face. “Oh. Well...”

I threw one hand up in a salute. “Night!”

I knew full well my car was parked two blocks in thesamedirection as his, but extending this date from hell was the last thing I needed, so I scurried away in the opposite direction.

Dickie called to my back: “You didn’t even hear the best part! Your first ten customers get a free starter kit!”

I ignored him, and my heels pounded on the sidewalk like every building on Copper Street was on fire. I could feel his gaze behind me, but I didn’t dare look back. Seeking refuge, I darted around the corner onto Main Street and hid behind one of the large concrete flower planters that lined the main thoroughfare.

Still shivering, I waited a few minutes before peeking around the corner.

Thankfully, he was nowhere to be seen. I breathed a sigh of relief as my body sagged against the rough concrete planter. Soft yellow light spilled out of the large bay windows in front of me.King Tattooglowed from the sign, and I paused. My gaze skated over the shiny black chairs and black-and-white-checkered tile.

I could do it. I could break free and get something dainty and unexpected tattooed, just because. Something just for me...

Indecision locked me in place as I shivered against the cold. My eyes adjusted to the light as I stared through the storefront window. Two men stood inside, one behind the counter and the other leaning over it.

Both were so impressively built that I couldn’t help but stare. The one leaning over the counter and pointing caught my attention. My eyes moved upward, from his boots to the musculature of his thick legs before pausing at the curve of his butt.

No man should have an ass that fantastic.

As if he could feel my eyes locked onto him, the man straightened and started to turn. I shook myself out of a stupor and hurried down the sidewalk.During my attempted escape from the date from hell, I realized the only other place open on Valentine’s Day evening was a general store.

I needed refuge. Warmth.Chocolate.

The bell clanked against the glass as I pulled open the door, and a whoosh of hot air coasted over my brittle skin. My heels danced on the linoleum as icy shivers racked my body.

The man working behind the register only nodded before turning back to his magazine. “Evening.”

I gave him an apologetic smile before digging my phone out of my purse. Of course my cell battery was nearly dead frommindlessly scrolling videos while I’d waited for Dickie to show up. My car was only a few blocks away, but I was chilled to the bone, and I couldn’t risk him waiting around for me. My finger hovered over my stepdad’s contact. He would rescue me in a heartbeat, and I could worry about picking my car up tomorrow.

I closed my eyes, fully aware of the man shooting concerned glances at me from behind the register.

You don’t need saving. You don’t need anyone.

I took a deep breath and remembered the grin on my stepdad’s face when he told me about his plans to cook for Mom and share their own romantic Valentine’s Day at home. After nearly twenty years together, my mother and stepfather were still very much in love, and I had always thought of my stepfather as “Dad.” It was something that gave my bitter twenty-five-year-old heart a tiny bit of hope. My mother had found her second chance at love as a single mother, so there was no good reason why there couldn’t besomeoneout there for me.

Right?

You have to let someone in if you want them to know the real you. To love the woman you try to hide.

My mother’s words rattled through my head. Letting someone in meant being exposed.

Vulnerable.

That’s a bigno fucking way.

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