Page 17 of Unspoken Promises

“Our stuff will get mixed up.”

“I’m not getting anything.”

Okay…

He pushes into the produce section without asking if that’s where I want to go. Expecting me to follow. Maybe Enzo is one of those men who’s used to people obeying his orders. Or maybe my desperate situation is pretty obvious.

I pick up a honeydew melon and smell it. “Is taking your employees grocery shopping one of the benefits at GhostEye?”

He takes the melon from me, puts it down, grabs a different one, and places it in my hands.

“If you read the contract you’d know it isn’t.”

“Is that a joke?”

Sarcasm sounds sexy in his deep, growly tone. “I wish it was.”

I lift the melon to my nose, and this one is fragrant, unlike the last. I wiggle it. “How did you know this one was better without smelling?”

“I know produce.”

“I’m a crappy cook.” I never did much of the cooking part with me and Anton. An ache pushes me to mention my friend, and I probably sound sadder than I should about food. “My…uncleused to do all the cooking. He was really good, so now that I’m on my own it’s going to suck. I have fine-dining taste and ramen noodle skills.”

He pushes the cart for me, and I put in some pre-cut carrots, peppers, and lettuce. It seems best to choose a salad where nothing can go wrong as long as I don’t slice a finger off.

I get a bunch more convenience-type items but ones that are healthier. Already cooked meats, packets of microwave rice, some TV dinners. I put blocks of cheese in the cartbecause Anton never seemed to buy anything but feta. And lots of frozen veggies. I can boil water. This will have to do until I watch more YouTube videos.

At the checkout line, Enzo helps me load everything on the conveyor belt while a tiny, curvaceous woman who looks a lot like Lucy Liu when she was inCharlie’s Angelsgazes at Enzo just as flirtatious as Alex Munday could right before she kicked your ass. I loved that movie.

Something about the way she maintains eye contact makes my heart race. Have they dated?

I’ve not found anything online about his relationship history, but I can’t imagine a successful, gorgeous man like him lives like a monk. I shake off the uncomfortable feeling. I have no reason to be jealous, no right. He’s my boss.

She quirks the corner of her mouth. “Well hello, Mr. Mendez. Are you going to introduce me to your new friend?”

So Enzoisfriendly with the checkout girl who I have to admit looks like she’s a lot more fun than him.

“My colleague actually. Ava, Penelope. Penelope, Ava.”

She reaches over to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you and to see Enzo is actually out and about with a friend.”

“Colleague,” he corrects.

“Anyway…” Produce beeps as she passes items over the scanner. “Where are you from, Ava? I’ve not seen you around.”

I decided to keep my story as close to the truth as possible so I don’t lose track. “Oregon.”

“Are you shitting me?” Her mouth drops open. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.” I smile at the curious turn in her energy.

“Have you ever been to UFO fest?” She beeps my block of cheese across.

Whoa.Now I’m the one who’s excited. “I could never go but always wanted to. It looked amazing on their website.”

Enzo slowly turns his head in my direction and gives me the briefest glance upon learning something like this. I totally believe in aliens. Any sane person would.

I add, “Did you know there are more Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon in the Northwest than anywhere in the States?”

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