Page 56 of Bound By Fire
While I wait, I pull down the visor, looking in the tiny mirror. My mascara is a little smudged under one eye.
I look tired.
I also don’t much care right now.
I flip the visor back up and start the engine to keep the AC running. Three minutes later, his black Range Rover noses out ofthe general lot and pulls up on the road outside, idling. I can just make out the shape of him behind the wheel.
I ease out, giving Jeff a wave as I pass the booth. Then I turn onto the main road.
Ridge’s SUV slides in behind mine.
I head for the store that’s around the corner from me. I flip the indicator and make the turn into the parking lot, picking a spot close to the doors. Ridge parks one row over.
I’m out and walking before he can come over to me.
“You’re welcome to wait in the car,” I tell him as he falls into step beside me. “I won’t be long. I need a few things. I can manage.”
“I’ll go with you,” he tells me. Then he opens the door and waits for me to go in first.
I grab a cart. “This is going to be super boring.”
“I think I’ll survive. Let me take that.” He reaches over for my cart, and I let him take it.
“I can push a cart.”
“I know.”
Why is he insisting on all of this? I think it’s overkill, but whatever. I’m going to pretend he isn’t even here.
I head for the produce section first. I pile in salad greens, two avocados, a couple of lemons, and a bag of baby tomatoes. Ridge pushes the cart next to me.
We walk through, aisle by aisle, and I toss in the things I need. He looks into the cart and then ahead. Into the cart and ahead.
“Have you worked at Draig Security for a long time?”
He looks at me and then shakes his head.
“What?”
“I’m still not a fan of small talk.”
“It’s what people do,” I tell him. “If you’re going to follow me around, we should at least be able to talk.”
“Pretend I’m not here.”
Like that’s remotely possible.
We pass by the feminine hygiene section, and, after a quick scan of the shelves, I select the biggest box of tampons I can find. The kind with the bright pink packaging that screams SUPER PLUS ULTRA ABSORBENT across the front in lettering that can be read from space.
I’ll pretend you’re not here, alright, asshole!
I examine the box with great care and drop it into the cart.
“Better get two,” I say. “Just to be safe.”
I watch him out of the corner of my eye.
He doesn’t flinch or blink, which I hate. Instead, he pushes the cart around the corner when I move on.
