Page 35 of Target

I visit the florist to buy some flowers to deliver to the retirement home, which I do once a month. Then I go to see old man Trevor who runs a local garden center, because I need some tips on my large back yard.

It is already nicely done, but I want to make it more my vibe— more modern with a splash of country charm.

Once everything is finished, I head into the supermarket to get some groceries to tie me over for the week. I also need to pick up come ingredients to make Grandpa Pete his favorite brownies.

Pushing the cart around, I smile at the locals.

“Oh, you are the lady who is helping the library with the summer activities?” an older lady asks when she steps into the aisle I am in.

“I am, yes.” I smile proudly.

Her smile matches mine. “My grandchildren have loved every day they have been there. Mu daughter said that they have learned so much from all the different kinds of projects that you have included. My granddaughter was showing me that she learned how to draw a flower that actually looked like a flower. Bless her heart, she was so proud of herself, as were we.”

With my hand on my heart, I smile. “That makes me so happy. It is why we wanted to help out this summer. If it is free then why not try it, then families are not wasting money.”

“I agree with you, dear. Thank you so much. Well, I had better get going and leave you to finishing your shopping.” She bids me a farewell and leaves.

Going through my list, I add things to my cart, nodding and smiling at more people. Doing this summer program has really put both Darian and me on the local’s radar, which is what we wanted. Plus, we got to help the library out.

“Madalyn?” I spin my head around to face the familiar voice calling my name.

I hold in a gasp seeing my ex-boyfriend with his heavily pregnant new girlfriend, walking toward me.

“I thought that was you. Wow, look at you.”

“I would rather you didn’t,” I snark off, before I can stop myself.

His smile falls from his face, he frowns then smirks, and I know what is about to happen will both hurt and piss me off all in one go.

“Still the same old, Madalyn, huh?” He looks into my cart, his smile widening. “Still single. Can’t say I am surprised. I think I lucked out here, babe.” He grins down at his new girl.

God, that grin used to work on me. How the hell did I let this douche seduce me?

“And I can’t say that I am surprised that you cheated on me, got her pregnant and had the freaking nerve to cry and whineabout me dumping you. Then went right back to her, after I finally left. Grow a pair.” I go to turn but he stops me.

“I cheated because you were shit in the sack. All you ever did was fucking work, you never had time for me. So yeah, I looked elsewhere and we both know that I lucked out, got the better end of the deal. I mean, look at you. Shopping alone.” He kisses his girlfriend’s neck as she smirks at me like the cat that got the slimy canary.

I go to open my mouth, pushing down the sickly feeling that is rolling around in my tummy. I hear his voice and my nipples pebble before I see him, his voice sending a wave of lust through me.

“Baby, do you think this will be enough for tonight?” Target says, dropping packets of fresh ribs into the cart.

My hands grip the handle of the cart, as I tear my gaze away from the people in front of me, looking up into the darkest green eyes I have ever seen. My body tingles from his heated gaze, and the sounds of the supermarket fade way and it is like we are the only two people here.

His hands slip around my waist, landing on my hip, adding a little squeeze and I fight back a whimper from his intense gaze and touch.

He winks at me, making my tense body relax a little.

Looking into the cart, I smile widely at him, playing along.

“I think it should be okay, but you know what your brothers like to eat.”

“They will eat us out of house and home.” Target chuckles, leaning down to kiss the side of my head. “Oh, hey.” He finally looks up, recognizing that we are not alone.

Or he did it on purpose.

“Who are you?” Wayne asks, his body suddenly stiff.

I tilt my head, trying to work out his hostile reaction to Target. It could be that Target is dressed in his usual biker vibe, his cut sitting proudly on his shoulders.

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