Page 63 of The Off-Limits Rule: Extended Edition

Jessie and I end up talking until way too late in the night for her to drive home. She stays over, and when Levi wakes up in the morning and busts into the living room, diving into my arms for my favorite morning snuggle session, Jessie gets to see it all, and I’m glad. This—a picture of what will be—is far more encouraging than any speech I could have given her. She stays for pancakes, and Levi starts calling her Aunt Jessie before breakfast is even on the table.

I disappear for a few minutes to shower, and when I go into my room, I find my phone lit up with a text message on my nightstand.

Cooper:Just thought I’d let you know my pantry is empty.

I frown, wondering if he sent me this by mistake.

Cooper:So I’m going to the grocery store today after work.

Cooper:The one on the corner of 8th.

Cooper:Probably around 6. So…yeah. If you have an emergency, don’t come by my house at that time to find me…because I’ll be at the grocery store…on 8th.

I bite down on a smile, thinking the off-limits rule might be a little fun after all.

Lucy:Shoot, would you look at that? I just ran out of milk. Idefinitely need milk for Levi’s cereal tomorrow. Looks like I have to go to the grocery store later.

Chapter 28

Cooper

I have never felt like more of a creeper in my life than I do now, pushing my empty cart down every grocery store aisle, eyes hunting for a woman and her son. The lady with the high ponytail and yoga pants is seconds away from calling security. Well, I am too, because she keeps pushing her cart down every aisle I’m headed toward, and it’s starting to really annoy me. For someone who doesn’t want to be stalked, she sure is doing a poor job of trying to avoidit.

I speed-race my cart to the end of the aisle and loop around to choose a different one from high-ponytail lady—but would you look at that? She did the same thing. Now we’re headed straight for each other, and I realize this person is a little strange. Almost looks like shewantsto be stalked.

Where is Lucy? I’ve been cruising this place for twenty minutes with an empty cart, and I don’t know how much longer I can do this without getting arrested.

I approach Ponytail with a soft face and my most non-creepyI’m-not-a-murderer demeanor, hoping to just quickly sail right by her. I can’t, though, because at the last second she jerks and knocks her cart into mine bumper-car style. It’s so unexpected and jarring that my knee-jerk reaction is to throw my hands out in front of me and apologize for a mistakeI didn’t make.

“I’m so sorry! I don’t know how that happened.” But I do know. I want to point an accusing finger at the woman and yellShe did it!because I’m a little afraid this is going to be a second mark against me in this grocery store—lurking and then causing a scene. One more strike and I’ll be kicked out. Then I’ll be forced to man up and go see Lucy at her house instead of a grocery store where we “accidentally” bump into each other. Yeah, it’s a wimpy move, making her see me in public places like this, but I don’t trust myself with her alone. And if I want to keep everything above board until Drew gets home, this is my only option.

Anyway, Ponytail is doing something strange now.

“Hi,” she purrs while running a delicate finger along the front of my cart. I strangle a laugh in my throat because never have I ever had anyone come on to me via metal grocery cart before. “I know you’ve been trying to get up the courage to talk to me for a few aisles now”—oh please no—“so I thought I’d take matters into my own hands. I’m Kate.”

As I watch Ponytail Kate subtly lick her lips, it becomes clear I’m not dealing with a normal person. She should be alerting an attendant about me, not fondling my grocery cart. And let me be clear, even if I wasn’t into Lucy, I’d still be getting the hell away from this woman as fast as possible.

“Uh, sorry. I think you misinterpreted. I’m just—” My statement is cut off when something—or someone—rams into my legs from behind.

“We found you!”

Huh?

I look down to find two chubby little arms wrapped tightly around my legs, followed by the sexiest hands I’ve ever seen slowly sliding around my abs and up to my chest.What is happening to the women in this grocery store?!

“Hi, babe,” says Lucy—oh thank God, it’s Lucy—peeking her twinkling eyes around my shoulder to grin up at me. “Making friends?” she asks, squeezing in tighter before wedging herself up under my arm to face Ponytail, one arm wrapped possessively around my waist with my arm draped over her. She’s doing that thing where she plays with my fingers dangling over her shoulder, and I have the strongest urge to tell her this is the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced in a grocery store.

“Oh uh—” Ponytail looks between me and Lucy and then down at Levi. “Sorry. Oh gosh—I didn’t realize…I thought you were coming on to me.”Did she really, though?

I bend down to pick Levi up and put him on my shoulders. He laughs as I stand to my full height and wrap my arm around Lucy’s shoulder again. “Nope. I’ve just been looking for these two all along.”

Lucy’s playful smile dims into something meaningful as she looks up at me, trying to see if I buried a hidden meaning inside my statement, Hallmark style.

I did.

“Okay, well…” Ponytail looks mildly annoyed. Like she’s offended at the prospect of me having a family. “I guess I’ll go then?”

It’s alarming that she phrased it as a question.

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