Page 101 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

“That’s a shame.” He tapped the bottle and added, “That’s a nice bottle of wine. It should be shared with someone, especially with how cold it’s been lately.”

It was true. They were having record low temperatures this year, some days not even reaching ten degrees, with nights below zero. If there had been someone in her life, it would have been the perfect plan, but the last thing she wanted was a man.

Even the man standing in front of you?

No, she didn’t want anyone. She was enjoying her uncomplicated life and, thankfully, the more she hibernated, the more her father ignored her. Life was never good when Edward Willis came up with one of his evil public-appearance schemes.

Finally getting her bearings, she smiled. “Maybe I’ll call my sister, then. See if she wants to help me drink it.”

“That wasn’t exactly what I meant—”

“I know what you meant, but I’m not dating.” It came out sharper than she’d intended, but she wasn’t ready. Hell, she didn’t know if she’d ever be ready again.

Justin stared at her like he was trying to Vulcan mind meld with her, and it brought her back to who she’d been before she’d been sent away. Before she’d married Cole and spent four years of her life miserable and lonely. That girl had been wild and reckless, and it was hard not to wonder how things might have been different if only . . .

If only she hadn’t been born Valerie Willis and Justin hadn’t been Fred Silverton’s son.

It was no secret how her father felt. If he hadn’t discovered her missing that night ten years ago and watched by the window, he might never have known who dropped her off. She had no idea what had gone on between their fathers, but seeing her and Justin together was all it had taken for her dad to go off on a full rampage and pack off her to that convent of a school.

She almost snorted out loud. Like that had really kept her out of trouble.

She caught Justin’s expression and felt bad that she’d snapped. It wasn’t his fault she’d made a mess of her life. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” Val said, placing the bottle in her cart.

“It’s okay, I was just teasing you. I didn’t mean to overstep.” His face had taken on a blank quality she hated.

“It’s not you—”

“It’s you.” He gave her a small nod. “I get it. Hey, enjoy the wine.”

He walked down the aisle toward the checkout and Val called after him, “Thank you” but he just kept walking like he hadn’t heard her.

Grabbing her cart, she turned it angrily and muttered to herself, “You are such an idiot.”

“I beg your pardon?” a clipped voice said, and Val looked up to find she’d almost crashed into Mrs. Andrews. And by the look on the older woman’s face, she was not happy about it.

“I was talking to myself, Mrs. Andrews.”

“Oh, so you’re insane as well as immoral. It seems to run in the family. I thought for a while there that your little sister would have learned from your mistakes, but from her latest antics, that seems to be too much to expect.” Mrs. Andrews’s tone was cutting, and Val felt every slice. “Now, can you please move your cart?”

She knew coming back to this town had been a mistake, but she couldn’t leave Annabelle.

Val had never been lily white, especially in college, but she had never been reckless with herself either. Her little sister was heading down a dangerous road, and no matter what she said about it, Annie just shrugged her off. Val had watched their older sister almost destroy herself trying to escape their father’s stranglehold, but Annie didn’t have Caroline’s strength. Beneath all her dramatics, Annie was a sweet kid.

However, just because the whole town thought she was an adulterous slut didn’t mean she was going to take their abuse without fighting back. Especially when that venom encompassed her sisters.

Edward Willis didn’t raise weaklings, after all.

“Mrs. Andrews, I don’t like your tone or appreciate your insults. And to be honest,” Val lowered her voice for dramatic effect, “I find your top offensive. Your tatas are about to pop out.”

In reality, the top wasn’t in the least immodest, but Val felt the warmth of satisfaction when the woman huffed and moved around her. She hoped the cranky old bat went home immediately and burned the shirt.

Her triumph was short-lived as she made it to the end of the aisle and passed a woman with an infant car seat in her cart. Peeking inside, she saw a pink blanket and, above it, the sweet face of a sleeping baby.

Val’s stomach twisted with envy as she turned down the next aisle. It happened every time she saw a pregnant woman or a small child; the reality of what she’d never have came back to haunt her.

Val grabbed a package of premade cookie dough and decided that the rest of her grocery shopping could wait. Right now she wanted to be home, alone, without any catty townspeople, adorable newborns, or men who could make a grown woman turn to mush with just a glance.

“HEY, WHAT’S THE matter with you? You’re acting like Dad kicked your dog or something.”

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