Page 24 of Sweet Like Whiskey

“Fine,” I grumble.

His grin widens. “Just let me cover the dough real quick and wash up.”

Ash disappears back into the kitchen, and I walk out onto the front porch, wondering what in the hell I’m doing.You know, a little voice in my mind whispers. I punt it far, far away.

Ash joins me before long, all cleaned up, his apron gone. “Ready,” he says.

“Let’s go,” I reply against every one of my better judgments.

Archie has the supply of milk ready by the time we arrive. I load it into our refrigerated truck, and Ash jumps in thepassenger seat like he’s going to a lobster boil, or whatever it is they do over in Maine.

I turn the ignition. “You buckled?”

Ash doesn’t say a word, so I look over at him. He’s biting his lip. It pops free when he says, “Yes, Jack. I’m buckled.”

I grunt. For reasons unknown, Ash laughs as I pull out onto the drive.

When we get to Plum’s Grocers, my tagalong is all business. Without being asked, he helps bring the crates of milk in through the back door. When I remind him he’s supposed to be taking it easy, he snorts while pointedly eyeing me up and down, and then he grabs another crate. My argument dies on my tongue.

Ash talks to Jenna, one of the employees, as Russ signs for the delivery of the milk. Jenna laughs brightly, touching Ash’s arm. He doesn’t seem to mind.

None of your damn business.

“Think the temps will be dropping anytime soon?” Russ asks. He’s an older gentleman who’s been managing Plum’s since I was a child. His father held the position before him.

“They always do,” I mumble, distracted as I take the tablet back.

He nods, setting his hands on his stomach. “Suppose so. Been a strange start to fall, though.”

I glance Ash’s way again. He’s smiling wide. “Sure has been.”

I say my goodbyes to Russ and give Ash a little wave to follow. He extricates himself from Jenna’s company and heads my way. “Hey, mind if I grab a couple things before we go?”

I grunt. “Fine.”

Ash gives my arm a slap before walking past the refrigerated units into the main part of the store. I follow after him, feeling like a damn dog.

Ash grabs a handheld basket and picks up shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Then he heads toward the snack aisles. When his basket gets full, he shoves a box of crackers at my chest.

“The hell?” I grumble, snatching it before it can fall to the floor. “What am I? Your pack mule?”

He stacks a bag of chips on the crackers in my hands. “Do you like complaining for the sake of it?” he asks, tone light.

I falter, wondering when this man decided it was okay toteaseme. “I don’t—”

“Arguing for the sake of it, too,” he says, taking a step that puts him at my side. He leans close, fingers brushing against my waist. “It’s okay, Jack. Your secret is safe with me.”

Ash is halfway down the aisle before my brain kicks into gear and I whirl around. “The heck you talking about?”

He looks over his shoulder and winks. “Wouldn’t be a secret anymore if I told, would it?”

Jesus fucking Christ.

I shake my head, boots thudding as I follow after him. “Whatever you say, sunshine.”

Silence follows, andah, shit. Ash is staring at me like I just handed him a golden ticket.

“Come on, darlin’,” he shoots back, a husky sort of chuckle in his voice. “Let’s get home.”

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