“When you put it like that...” I muttered. Before we could talk any more, the employee came out.
“Elizabeth Porter? How are you doing? I thought I heard you were back in town. What can I do for you?” He spoke fast, barely taking a moment to breathe.
“Jimmy Barrett?” I asked. I briefly remembered him from high school, we’d been in the same grade, but I’d always felt like he’d had a bit of a crush on me. For that reason, I’d kept my distance from him, not wanting to give him the wrong impression.
I crossed my fingers that his attraction toward me was nothing but a childhood obsession.
“How are you doing, Jimmy?”
He gave me an enormous smile. “Great. How was life in the big city? I heard it didn’t work out between you and your husband.”
I sucked in a breath at the brief mention of Jon; I didn’t even want to know how that little tidbit of news had gotten around town.
“Uh, no, it didn’t. But right now, I’m just looking for an upgrade on my phone.” I held up my ancient model as proof.
He cringed when he saw my cell. “Wow, I think that came out when we graduated.” He laughed at his own joke. “Do you want to keep your number and get everything transferred over?”
I quickly shook my head. “No, um, it’ll just be easier to get entirely new information.” I had to be careful with what I said and how I said it; I didn’t want my business to be broadcast all over town before I even left the store.
“Okay, which model are you looking at?”
Mac answered for me, “Do you have any of that newer one? The one with the great camera?” She gestured to the one that I had been drooling over.
“Of course, I should’ve known you’d want the one that took brilliant pictures.” He reached under the counter, producing a white box. “How’s the photography coming along? I would’ve thought by now you would be famous and would’ve left this little town behind.”
I pursed my lips, trying not to let my annoyance show. “It’s not really that easy,” I replied before changing the subject. “So, how hard would it be to open my account?”
“Nah, I’ll have it done before you can say Food Swap.” He snapped his fingers as if an idea had just come to him. “Speaking of food swaps, are you going to the Thanksgiving one this year?”
Every year North Hills got together and did a food swap; Main Street would be closed the day before Thanksgiving for the event. The goal was to cook something and bring it to the swap; if you liked someone else’s dish then you would switch. It sounded a little dull, but each year they would have live music, face painting, and the Wilders would bring their horses for children to ride. It was one of many town traditions that I had missed.
I shared a look with Mac, who just shrugged helplessly, and turned back to Jimmy.
“I’m not sure yet.”
He leaned over the counter excitedly. “We could go together. Kind of like old times, am I right?”
Wrong, I didn’t think we had ever spent time alone together.
“Um,” I struggled with what to say. “Thanks, but I’m not really looking for a relationship so soon after everything with my ex. Sorry.”
Disappointment filled his eyes as he stood up straight. I shared another brief look with Mac before turning back when Jimmy spoke up.
“It’s fine; maybe next time. Let’s get that phone all set up for you, okay?” The smile he gave me didn’t quite reach his eyes. I had to refrain from apologizing again.
It didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would before he handed me my new account information and my brand-new cell.
“It’s all ready for you. Is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked hopefully.
“No, thank you,” I told him as I heard the door open behind me. Just as I was gathering my stuff to let Jimmy help the next person, I heard his voice.
“Did your phone finally break after having to look at your face for too long?”
I slowly spun around as my teeth ground together at the sight before me.
Nick was standing there looking like he owned the place with his arms crossed in front of him. I couldn’t help but notice how his muscles pulled tight against the fabric of his shirt. Did I mention he was still in his uniform? I’d never had a thing for police officers before, but there was something about the way he looked in the getup that had me forcing back drool before he saw just how much he affected me.
“No, it jumped ship after hearing your voice,” I said in an extra-sweet voice.
“Oh, now, we both know that’s not true. My voice has been known to crack even the tightest of hearts,” he scowled at me. “Are you going to be done anytime now? I would like to get home this century.”
“And what’s waiting for you at home? A microwaveable meal and a date with your couch?”
His eyes narrowed at my words. “At least I’m alone because I want to be, not because my husband realized how much of a spoiled brat I am.”
Hearing those words come out of his mouth brought back the memories of the times I’d heard Jon repeat the same thing. My jaw locked together as my hands tightened into fists.
“As usual, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Mac, let’s go.” I didn’t wait for her to say anything before strutting past Nick, glaring at him until we were no longer looking at each other.
Once we were in the car, Mac asked me gently, “Are you okay?”
I took a couple of deep breaths. “Yeah. And that’s precisely why I can’t go to him about a TRO. He would be nothing but a dick to me.”
“I swear I’ve never heard him talk to someone like that. Not since high school.”
“Guess he never changed. He’s just like all those asshole Wilders, think they can do whatever they want and have no consequences,” I growled.
I could tell that Mac had something to say, but she kept her lips closed. Instead, she quietly backed out of the parking lot while I stewed in the passenger seat.
Chapter 5
ELIZABETH
The next few days passed in blissful peace. Now that I had my new phone and new number, I didn’t have to stress when my cell rang. Not that many people even had the number. The only people I gave it to were my parents and Mac, the three people I trusted more than anyone else.
I had also made it through the weekend without seeing one Wilder, which was a miracle.
With all things considered, I woke up on Tuesday morning feeling downright hopeful. Maybe Jon would take the hint and let me go; I could only wish.
After my daily breakfast with my parents, I finished getting ready for the day. In a simple pair of bootcut jeans and a black sweater, I was just about finished when I heard my phone ping from my nightstand. Assuming that it was Mac, I tapped the screen to wake up the phone, freezing when I saw the words on it.
Unknown: 2 weeks to go...
“No, no, no,” I whispered to myself. I sank down on the bed, staring at those four brief words. Why couldn’t he just let me go? Was this what my life was going to be like? Constantly looking over my shoulder, just waiting for him to pounce?
I allowed myself a few moments to spiral before forcing myself to pull it together. I wouldn’t let him win. I had my own life here in North Hills and I would not give that up without a fight.