Page 42 of Tamed to Be Messy

Next stop? The grocery store, which I’m genuinely looking forward to. Why? Because I’ve found you can learn a lot about a person by how they shop and what they buy.

Again, I’m relegated to basket duty. At least I get to use the wheeled variety this time. Hannah holds a melon to her nose, inhales, then puts it in the cart. “Did you always aspire to be a lifeguard?”

Her question catches me off guard only because it feels so random. We’ve gone from talking about dogs and food to a sudden jump about my career choice.

I pick up a package of strawberries and add it to the upper part of the cart. Might as well grab some things for myself while I’m here. “No, actually. I started off in law school.”

“As in, a lawyer?” Her look of disbelief is stellar.

“Last I checked, that’s what law school was for.”

“Youwere studying to be a lawyer?” Her voice drips with skepticism.

“Yeah, why is that so hard for you to believe?”

Now she’s laughing hysterically, and the older woman on the other side of the fruit display is frowning at us. Doesn’t help that Hannah is doubled over, hanging onto my arm with one hand and the cart with the other.

“What is so funny?”

She straightens and attempts to compose herself. “I mean. Come on…Lawless? You were studying to be a lawyer and your last name is Lawless?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell that to my parents.”

Eyes as round as the grapefruit she’s holding, she gasps. “You’re joking, right?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“Both?” Didn’t think her eyes could widen anymore.

I frown. “I’m guessing Graham never mentioned it.”

She holds a hand over her mouth, then snorts into another burst of laughter.

I hold my hands up. “What can I say? They’re very proud of their careers.”

Her expression sobers. “How did they take you switching careers?”

There’s a lot more to the story that I’m not ready to reveal to her. “Not great.”

She stops the cart when I try to move forward. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to pry. Just understand. Do they not get that you’re out there saving lives?”

That look in her eyes—a mix of admiration and appreciation—makes me want to spill my guts to her. She gets it. Most likely because of Graham, but still…

How would it feel to have that kind of encouragement from someone I was close to? Not like a friend. But more…

I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. “They don’t view it that way.”

She pulls her head back with a softharumpf. “Well, that’s their loss then.”

“I’ll tell them you said so next time I see them.” My attempt at shifting this convo to something lighter.

Her expression turns almost…shy? “Maybe I’ll get to tell them myself sometime.”

Was that a hint? Is she flirting with me?

She spins around and heads to a veggie display. I’m still scraping my chin off the floor. The older woman who frowned at us earlier for being so loud gives me a curt nod, as if she’s telling me to go after Hannah.

Which I absolutely do. Because if I have a shot with her at all…it just might be worth risking the wrath of her brothers.

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