Chapter 15
She pulled into the parking lot and got out, grabbing one of the carts and started into the store. She walked down the various aisles, picking up things she needed for that night's dinner.
Jordan made her way over to the produce section, grabbing a bag of salad mix when she stopped, her gaze fixed across the store from her. It couldn't be...could it? She tossed the bag into her cart, wheeling up fast; she turned, grabbing a bunch of celery. What were the odds? It just wasn't possible. She turned again, putting the wet celery into a bag and tossing it into her cart as well. She started again, grabbing some tomatoes and putting them into a bag. She turned her head, slightly; he was still there. She tied up the bag and tossed it in.
Jordan moved quickly out of produce and made her way across the store, looking around frantically. Didn't matter, he was gone now and she had to finish up and get back home. She picked up a package of ground turkey and turned to put it in her cart, and there he was again!
"Oh god he's turning around!" She squatted suddenly, turning her head away. She tried to push the cart, but it was hard to do while squatting. She ignored the looks she was getting and continued on.
A few minutes later, she stood, her legs weak and wobbly. She looked around cautiously, no sign of him. She was positive it was him. What was he doing in a grocery store? Let alone, her grocery store? Turning down another aisle, she walked over to the chips, grabbing various bags. Her mouth dropped as she looked through the opening in the shelf to see him standing there, he looked to be deciding between Coke or Pepsi. He walked further down, and out of her view. She grabbed a few more bags of chips, clearing the way so she could see him again.
He grabbed a few bottles of pop and placed them in his cart. He could feel her eyes on him and smiled. If she honestly thought she was being inconspicuous, she was sadly mistaken. He started walking again, turning down the aisle she was in.
She gasped and stood, setting the other bags of chips on the shelf. She pushed the cart hurriedly out the aisle. She went over two and turned down that aisle. She tried to catch her breath. That was too close. Pulling out the aisle again, she headed over to the dairy section. She really had to get out of there. She grabbed a carton of milk and some eggs and pulled away, still looking around suspiciously. She started down another aisle, peaking around the corner, damn, he wasn't there. Wait, what was she saying? She turned quickly, bumping into someone.
"Oh! Excuse..." She stopped. She'd know that cologne anywhere. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them and slowly lifting them up. She was met with those same familiar dark brown eyes.
"Jordan? Funny running into you here." Howie smiled.
"H-Howie. Y-yes, yes it is." She took deep breaths to try to calm her heart. She ran a hand through her hair.
"Getting something for dinner?"
"Uhh, yeah...dinner." What was wrong with her? She couldn't even form sentences.
"Having company over?"
"N-no, just me. I have some work to do so it wouldn't really be productive to...have guests."
"Aww, eating alone is no fun Jordan."
She opened her mouth to say something but stopped, her retort dying on her lips. It was kind of hard to eat alone.
"But then again, I know what it's like to have to work to do as well."
She nodded. What was going on? What she expected wasn't happening.
Howie nodded. "Well I won't hold ya up any longer. Have a nice evening Jordan. I hope to hear from you soon." He winked and walked off.
She turned her head, watching as he walked away. She turned quickly and headed up to the check out. Ok what she wanted to have happen, didn't and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't in the least bit upset. Why didn't he ask to...? Nevermind, it didn't matter. She'd go home, fix dinner and get down to work. That's what was important.
She paid for her groceries and stared out the store. She stopped as she got to the doors leading her out and turned. He was somewhere in the store, why did she feel like she wanted to be there? Shaking her head, she grabbed her bags and headed out.
