Macy’s Awakening Read Free Page B

only intersected because of the robbery in the mall.
    She had already added her own favorites to the basket—yogurt, string cheese, peanut butter, baby carrots, Coke. Now only the more personal items remained at the bottom of her list. If she was staying here for any length of time she would need more than just her travel size shampoo and conditioner and hair spray, plus tampons and panty liners. It was these last two items she was putting off buying. Maybe she’d come back later on her own. But without a car it might be difficult to do any errands. She wavered as he began to move toward the checkout counters.
    Suddenly he leaned over and made a playful grab for the scrap of paper she’d written on.
    “Let’s see that list of yours. If we hurry up and get out of here, we can go do something more enjoyable.”
    She saw his eyes travel down her list and then flick away as he got to the bottom. For a few beats he was silent, training his gaze elsewhere. Macy wished she could magically disappear.
    Then he shrugged and handed the paper back to her.
    “It’s all right.” He gave her a tight little smile. “I used to be married, you know. I have a daughter just a little younger than you. You don’t need to be embarrassed.”
    He wheeled the cart down the feminine hygiene aisle and waited while she grabbed what she needed, but she noticed him slant his glance away as she placed her purchases into the basket. Sighing in relief, she followed him to the checkout counter.
    “Hi, Jerrod.” The blonde checker greeted him, her kohl-rimmed eyes skimming over Macy and back to him.
    “Hi, Pam.”
    “Beautiful day out there, isn’t it?” She leaned forward, presenting him with a view of her freckled cleavage. He didn’t seem to notice.
    “Perfect.”
    “You got any fun plans for the day?” Her gaze moved dismissively over Macy once more, moved on, then lit on the tampons. Now she stared directly at Macy in a downright hostile way.
    Macy stuck out her chin and stared back. What was this woman’s problem? She had every right to be here with Jerrod, buying her stuff.
    “Thought we’d check out the blues festival later.” He seemed oblivious to what was going on around him.
    “Ooh, sounds like fun. Wish I could go this year, but I’m on the late shift all weekend. That’ll be eighty-seven, fifty-two.” With one more malevolent glance at her, Pam took his debit card and ran it through, gave him his receipt, and greeted the next customer in line.
    Could he really be as innocent as he seemed? The woman had practically drooled all over their groceries. As they left the store, Macy considered asking him about her, but then thought better of it. It was none of her business whether he was interested in the blonde checker with the big boobs. But she couldn’t help feeling a little sense of satisfaction at Pam’s reaction, maybe even a little possessive. It wasn’t all that unbelievable that she and Jerrod Preston could be a couple—was it?
    Did they look like a couple?
    She glanced back at their reflection in the store window as they walked away. Tall, hot-looking, rich white man. Pretty, petite, young black girl. In a liberal city like Portland, interracial couples were no big deal. Even the age gap would only raise eyebrows in the more conservative parts of town. It gave her an exciting little thrill that Blondie-Pam might have jumped to the wrong conclusion about her.
    “Sorry about that,” he said as they got into the car.
    “About what?”
    “That woman, Pam. She’s been trying to get me to ask her out ever since Arlene and I split up. I’m afraid you got the brunt of her disappointment.”
    “No problem.” So he had noticed. A shiver went through her. The man was very good at playing things close to the chest. That must be useful in a court of law.
    He started the car and backed out.
    “How long have you been divorced?” It was none of her business, but for some reason now she wanted to know.
    “About a