Page 48 of The Jackpot Screwer
“Doing anything nice?” He looked so damn good, and smelled amazing, it worried me that the something he knew that I didn’t was another girl.
“Just chillin’.”
His eyes darted to his cart so mine followed. Inside was a box of puppy pads and a chew toy.
“What are they for?” I pointed at the contents.
“A puppy, believe it or not.” He gave a short laugh, the one I knew he gave when he thought he was in trouble. “Just for a client who has a puppy and can’t afford much.”
His gaze then darted to the left and I knew for definite he was lying to me and it left my insides feeling all mushy and my chest aching. What on earth was he hiding from me and why?
“Who’s the client?”
“Oh no one you know,” Carter replied, shoving his hand into his pocket. “They’re new to town.”
“He or she?” I demanded to know, my teeth starting to grind.
“He’s definitely a he,” he replied with a nervous cough. “It’s a guy. Yep, a guy.”
Narrowing my eyes on him, my pulse increased, and my nose tickled as tears threatened. He was most definitely hiding something, and I was scared to death that it was another woman—another woman whose arms I’d driven him in to.
“Should they really have a puppy if they don’t have the money to buy it things?”
Carter shifted his feet and glanced up the aisle. “Well, you know how it is. Anyway, I’m going to go and let you carry on with your shopping.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Let me know if there’s anything you need, okay?”
His breath whispered against my skin and I instantly felt my body go on high alert at his closeness. All the familiar feelings were there—the butterflies in my belly, the tightening of my nipples and the pulsing between my legs. God, I wanted him. I felt horny as hell for him, but it seemed I’d most definitely peed on my own grits.
“Okay,” I murmured as he pushed his cart away, leaving me thinking how sexy his ass was in his jeans.
When he disappeared my hands instinctively went to my belly and I felt bereft; alone and sad. My Carter didn’t want me any longer.
After filling my cart with canned peaches and various flavors of licorice I decided I wasn’t in the mood for any more shopping and made my way to the checkout. There was only one cashier working, Molly Callendar, who was married to Rueben, one of the six full time members of Dayton Valley’s fire crew. There were two people in front of me, one being Talia Pitt, an old school friend of Ellie’s who’d just returned to town after working and living in Boston for a couple of years. She had never been a friend of mine, we just always clashed for some reason, probably because I was Ellie’s best friend and Talia had been desperate for the role.
She was beauty queen pretty, with long red hair and, due to their coloring, there were many people over the years who’d thought she and Carter would have been a good match—Talia included. With her curvy figure, enhanced boobs and perfectly made-up face, I would have agreed had I not been madly in love with the stupid, ginger, veterinary.
“Oh, hi,” Talia said, her eyes instantly going to my belly which was definitely showing the baby growing inside it. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Her tone certainly didn’t sound congratulatory. It sounded a little bitchy and when she flashed me a smile that just about twitched at her lips, I knew I was right.
“Thanks,” I replied, forcing a return smile that actually showed my teeth. “It was a shock but we’re really happy about it.”
Talia’s lip curled and she then scanned me up and down. “I’m sure. Although, you’re not together I hear.”
My heart flipped over and immediately I wanted to grab a hold of her and tell her to stay away from him. I knew Talia and was well aware going after Carter would definitely be on her agenda.
“We’re just taking some time to get used to everything, but all’s good.” It was my turn to give a barely there smile. “I’m going over there after I’ve finished here, as a matter of fact.”
“Good that you’re still friends,” Talia replied, emphasizing friends like it was a dirty word.
About to open my mouth, I stopped when the conveyor belt began to move, and Talia’s items moved closer to Molly and the checkout.
“Well,” Talia said, turning away from me. “Great catching up.”
With her back to me my fingers twitched at the sight of her lustrous hair falling down her back. It was the most gorgeous auburn color, a little lighter than Carter’s, and it was so full and bouncy I wanted to grab a hold of it and pull her back onto her ass.
Instead, I decided my time would be much better spent, loading my goods onto the conveyor belt. However, when I reached into the cart, Molly’s voice stopped me.
“Hey, Bronte sweetie, don’t bother getting them out.”
