Page 43 of This Memory
He waved, and I bent down with the bowl. “Why, you’re a hero, do you know that?” He grinned, and I almost laughed when I noticed his two front teeth were missing. “Take what you like.”
Reaching in, he took two pieces of candy, dropped them into his bag, and rushed back to his parents. It was then that I noticed Evelyn and Denny entering the store.
“Hey, guys,” I said, as they walked over to me.
Evelyn reached for the bowl. “Let me give you a break.”
“I’m okay.”
She took the bowl out of my hands anyway. I tried not to sigh and roll my eyes. For the last few weeks, Evelyn had been treating me like a priceless piece of art. And like I’d feared, she’d already started hinting at me not working for the remainder of my pregnancy. She and I were going to have to have a come-to-Jesus moment, and it was going to be really soon.
Jerking her head to the side of the store, Evelyn said, “Someone would like to speak with you in private.”
I glanced in the direction she’d indicated but didn’t see anyone. That was, until I saw movement. Someone was hiding behind one of the shelves.
“For goodness’ sake, Gavin. Get the hell out here,now!” Evelyn called, causing a few people to turn and look at her.
“Evelyn,” I hissed. “There are customers and trick-or-treaters in here.”
Her cheeks turned red. “Right. Sorry.”
Gavin appeared and walked toward us as a few women in the store openly stared at him. He had cut his hair—and holy hell, if he didn’t look hot. It was buzzed on the sides and longer on top, where it was sticking up, as if he’d run his hand through it numerous times.
I instantly remembered his mouth on my clit, and the pull in my stomach had me placing my hand there to calm myself.
“Are you feeling okay?” Evelyn said. “Do you need to sit down? Get something to drink? Have you eaten today?”
Turning, I stared at my best friend. She was going to drive me mad. What I really wanted to say was, “I’m horny, Evelyn.”
Instead, I rested a hand on her arm. “I’m fine. All is fine.”
Gavin stopped in front of me. “Um, can we talk in private?”
I glanced around the room and noticed a small group of mothers in a corner, all basically drooling over Gavin—and I instantly felt possessive. Before I could even respond to his question, one of them approached.
“Gavin? Gavin Quinn?”
He glanced at her. Clearly confused, he said, “Um, yeah.”
“Do you not remember me? It’s Lacy Darington.”
Ugh. Lacy Darington from high school. She was the captain of the cheerleaders, and she was constantly hanging all over Gavin. From what I could tell, he’d never gone out with her, but I wasn’t sure.
“Oh, yeah…hey, Lacy.”
She gave him a seductive smile and placed a hand on his arm. “Are you married? Dating anyone? I’ve just moved back to Moose Village after divorcing my husband, and I’d love to reconnect.”
How bad would it be if I slapped her here and now?
Gavin didn’t give his usual flirty smile or wink. He stared at her briefly, then said, “Reconnect? I’m not sure we’ve ever connected inanyway.”
Her smile slipped for a half second, but she recovered quickly. “Well, I mean, it would be nice to get to know you if you’re available.”
I realized I was holding my breath while waiting for him to reply.
“Sorry, Lacy, I’m not available.” Turning back to me, he asked, “Is anyone upstairs?”
Of course, he was talking about the apartment I normally rented out. The last person who’d lived there was Declan, but he’d moved in with Harper, and I’d decided not to rent the place out again just yet.
