Page 220 of The Heart You Kept

“Holy crap,” I say louder than expected.

The server and Edward glance over at me and I smile, embarrassed. “Never mind.”

“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asks.

From my peripheral vision I see Edward smile into his wineglass as if reading my scrambled mind.

“Umm.” I open the menu, too flustered to even think. “I’ll have whatever he’s having.”

EDWARD

The car pulls up to the curb and I climb out. Picking Alora up from work has become my favorite part of each day.

This last week with her has been a dream, a simple happiness that has meant so much. I’m a little late today and she’s already locking the shop up as I walk up to her.

“Miss Sorenson.” I slide my arms around her from behind.

“There you are.” She turns in my arms and kisses me.

“You ready?”

“Yes, but we have to stop by the grocery store before we go home.”

“Huh?” I stare at her, confused.

“I need some ingredients for dinner.”

“Well, write a list and I’ll send someone out.”

“Are you above grocery shopping for yourself?”

“No,” I scoff. I’ve just never done it before.

She turns back to lock the roller door and I go back to Philippe. “We’re going grocery shopping, apparently.”

“For real?” He chuckles. “This I’ve got to see.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

I go back to Alora and take her hand in mine and she leads me up the road and into a grocery store. I look around, there’s a million things on the shelves and people are everywhere. There’s beeping sounds and children crying in the distance. People are lined up everywhere, the place is pure chaos.

What fresh hell is this?

“Here.” She takes a basket and passes it to me. “Carry this.”

“Oh.” I take it from her. “Okay.” I glance back to see the boys snicker under their breath.

“Fuck. Off,” I mouth.

She walks up and down the aisles as I trail behind her like a puppy, she’s looking at every little detail, occasionally putting things into the basket, and this thing is getting heavy.

Does she think I’m a fucking packhorse now?

She grabs a three-liter milk and puts it in. “That’s enough shopping for today,” I snap. “This basket weighs a ton.”

“Few more things.” She keeps going up and down the aisles and as we walk past the fridges I see my reflection, I’m trailing behind her while carrying her shopping and the sight brings a smile to my face.

Who even am I?