Page 14 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

She brings up some soap, honey, and two stuffies I crocheted. A pig and a turtle. “For the grandkids.” She smiles.

I quirk a brow at her. “You don’t have grandkids.”

“Well, you know, Aubrey did just meet someone.”

Wait. She’s buying toys for Aubrey’s future children? “She told you about that?” I ask, ringing her up.

“Oh, no. I heard about it from Sully’s mom when we were both at the ice cream shop. She overheard Sully and Aubrey talking the other night.”

Aubrey and Sully used to be roommates, so it made sense that Aubrey would have told her.

Mrs. Wheaton looks hurt. “I only wish Aubrey trusted me enough to tell me herself.”

I hold back a sigh and let her know the total so she could swipe her card. I’m not saying a word about any of this to Mrs. Wheaton. In fact, I don’t know too many details. Aubrey hasn’t told me yet.

Once she leaves, I go into my office and turn on my favorite video of affirmations to help get my mindset back in a place of positivity. Because hanging around Lucas has me turning into a grump, too. Something about that man gets under my skin.

Outside the window to my office, Lucas and Nolan are visible, and seeing them working together twists something in my insides. I turn my focus back to the laptop when my affirmations are over. I still need to listen for the door. If I can’t get our profits up, I’ll have to let Eliza go.

I get up and sweep the store since it’s been a minute, deep in thought about how to fix my situation.

The door swings open, and Aubrey comes in. “Hey, girl! I saw Lucas and Nolan together out there.” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “I feel like you two would make a good couple.”

“You’re as bad as your mom.”

She grins. “What did she say this time?”

“She thought Lucas and I were dating.”

“You know my mom is very good at predicting these things. She has a sixth sense.”

I keep sweeping beneath some of the shelves where dust likes to collect. “Well, this time, she’s wrong.”

“That’s what Lauren thought when my mom pictured her with Chase. And Lauren couldn’t stand him. Even since high school.”

“I know. Lauren has told me the story many times over the years when she’s done my hair.”

“Speaking of, when’s the last time you had a trim?” She walks up and takes a piece of my hair, examining the bottom. “You’re full of split ends and damage from heat.” She gives me a stern look. “You deserve to be taking care of yourself better. You should see if Lauren has any availability.”

I nod. “It’s been too long since I’ve gotten my hair done. You’re right. I need to be pampering myself. In fact, I think I’ll get some new highlights.”

“That’s the spirit!” Aubrey cheers.

“Would you ever let Lauren change your hair color?” I ask, eyeing her bright red waves.

“Never! Only haircuts for me. I’ve never changed this color.” She grins like she’s won the lottery. “People pay a lot of money to get this shade.”

“You’re not wrong,” I say.

The floor seems to be clean enough, so I put the broom behind the counter where the register is. Aubrey walks over to the candles and picks one up, sniffing it.

“How’s that new candle you bought working for you?” I ask, finally building up the courage to tell Aubrey her mom’s been going around talking about her love life.

She sets the candle down and turns to me, blushing. “It’s brought me good luck!”

“Ooh. Do tell!”

She walks over to where I’m lounging against the counter. “Nothing too exciting happened, so don’t get your hopes up.”

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