Page 91 of Sunsets at the Beach House

They went through produce, then turned the corner into the meat department.

“What kind of ground beef?” Miles asked. He glanced ahead of them and his smile vanished.

Trina looked in the same direction and saw why. Liz, his ex, was standing by the chicken section. She hadn’t seen them yet.

Then she looked up and made eye contact with Miles. “Hello, there.” She shifted her gaze slightly and saw Trina. Her smile stayed in place, but something changed in her eyes. “Hello to you, too.”

“Liz,” Miles said. Wasn’t much of a greeting, but Trina was okay with that.

She just nodded. “Hello.”

Liz put a package of chicken breasts in her basket and strolled over. “Aren’t you two the happy couple?” Again, her attention went to Trina. “Any news on the job front? I thought I might have heard from you.”

“I still have interviews to do. And we’ve been a little busy. Alex got injured.”

Liz put her hand to her throat. “I hope nothing serious.”

“He’ll be fine,” Miles said. “We should get going. We’re just here picking up some food for him.”

“Give him my love.” She wiggled her fingers at them. “Toodles.”

Trina quickly grabbed a pound of lean ground beef.

“What did she mean about the job front? Why would she have heard from you?” Miles asked.

Trina sighed as she put the package of meat into the cart. “She came in for an interview for the receptionist position at the salon. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t think it mattered.”

He looked confused. “That’s all right, but why would she be looking for a job? She lives off her parents’ money. She gets an allowance.”

Trina shrugged. “Maybe they cut her off? Or maybe she’s trying to be more independent?”

“The first one I’d buy. Not the second.” Miles glanced in the direction Liz had gone. “You’re not going to actually hire her, are you? Not telling you what to do, but I’m not sure she’s the most trustworthy person.”

“Between us, I can’t see offering her the job. But that has nothing to do with who she is or your past with her. Her work experience is really thin. And her attitude? Not the kind of thing I want around salon clients.” Despite all of that, Trina felt for Liz, even if she wasn’t the nicest person. It was going to be tough for her to find a job doing anything.

He smiled. “For a second, I thought you might give it to her. You’re so nice. But you obviously know when to be nice and when to protect your business.”

“I’m trying,” Trina said. “But what if her parents really have cut her off? She’ll have to get some kind of job.”

He nodded. “She will. And I know you love to help people, but she’s not someone you want to get tangled up with.”

“I know. I feel that way, too. I just can’t help also feeling sorry for her. The whole act she puts on is kind of sad and desperate, you know?”

He smiled, kindness in his eyes. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you picked up on that, but you’re very perceptive. I agree. It is sad and desperate, which does make it easier to feel sorry for her. But my gut says she’s nothing but a great big red flag.”

“Agreed.” Trina looked at the signs at the end of the aisles and pointed at the one they’d just passed. “Soup is right there. Let me get the can I need and I’ll meet you in frozen foods.”

“You got it. I’ll find the tater tots and peas.”

“Perfect. Just regular-sized bags of each.”

“Okay.”

She headed down the soup aisle and slowly scanned the labels for the cream of mushroom.

“Hey, sorry to bother you again, but—”

Trina turned and found herself face to face with Liz. She jumped. “You startled me, sneaking up like that.”

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