“Maybe they didn’t earn that.”
I turn my head as she lifts hers off my shoulder.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean they didn’t earn the amount of trust it would’ve taken to be able to cause you emotional pain. That doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you. You’re just protective of your heart.”
I rest my head on her shoulder hoping she’s right, because the more I think about it, the more I wonder if I’m even capable of letting myself fall in love with someone.
Chapter 7
Willow
GRABBING AN EMPTY cart outside the grocery store, I drop my bag in the basket then head through the automatic doors. After smiling at the girl behind the lotto desk when she greets me with a cheerful hello, I head to the produce section. Normally I do my grocery shopping on Sunday, but since I was feeling like I had been hit by a truck, I ended up just lazing about that day, then yesterday after my run in with Brodie, Leah and I ended up ordering in dinner and just hanging out. Today I don’t have a choice, I need to pick up food for the week so that I don’t starve or end up eating fast food every night. And lucky for me, I got off work early today so I’m able to get it done then go home, make dinner, and then call it an early night. Something I desperately need.
While dumping a bunch of bananas in the cart I hear a cute little giggle come from close by and do a scan of the area around me, then freeze when my eyes land on Clay standing a few feet away. My pulse skips a beat and butterflies take flight in the pit of my stomach. There is absolutely no denying that I’m attracted to him, but who wouldn’t be? Remembering his parting words from the last time I saw him, I duck my head and start to push my cart away, hoping to go unnoticed. I’m brought to a halt when the bottom of my sweater snags on something. I look down to see what I’ve gotten hooked on, then blink when a cute, very-familiar-looking, little girl smiles up at me from under the edge of the table with a banana in her hand that she’s obviously been attempting to open.
“Winter?”
Hearing Clay’s deep voice causes a tingle to travel down my spine and I watch the little girl, who must be Winter, giggle then place her finger in front of her lips, telling me to be quiet.
“Hey, do you need some help with that?” I whisper.
She nods, causing her dark hair to fall slightly into her eyes. Having been around other kids her age, which I’m guessing is about five maybe six, and having seen when one of them has decided to do this exact thing in the store, I turn to where I last saw Clay and find him with a panicked expression on his face as he looks around. Then his eyes land on mine.
Without saying that Winter is in front of me out loud I point to the table and watch his shoulders relax before he heads my way. Crouching down in front of Winter, I take the banana from her. “These things are always hard to open.”
“I know,” she whispers, and I hand her the banana back once I got the skin peeled back, then feel my skin prickle with awareness when Clay crouches down next to me.
“Were you hungry?” he asks, grabbing Winter’s tiny wrist and using it to gently pull her out of her hiding space to stand between his legs.
“Yes, I told you I wanted a banana.”
“I know but I was going to pay for them first.” He chuckles smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
My ovaries trip all over themselves watching him be so gentle with her. Oh goodness, I need to get out of here.
Clearing my throat, I start to stand, but Clay’s large hand wraps around my thigh causing my breath to hitch in the back of my throat.
“Where you running off to, Mouse?” he asks.
I narrow my eyes on his at the nickname.
“She doesn’t look like a mouse,” Winter informs him.
“What does she look like?” he asks her.
“Kind of like a princess.” She reaches over to touch my hair.
“I think you might be right.” He smiles at her. “Winter this is Willow. Willow, my niece, Winter.
“Nice to meet you Winter, I love your name.”
“Thank you.” She smiles as Clay stands and grabs my upper arm to help me up or maybe to keep me from running off because he doesn’t let me go even after we are both standing. “Do you know how to make lasagna?”
“What?” I smile at her not sure where that question came from.
“Uncle Clay can’t cook.” Winter informs me with a mischievous smile.