Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
VIVIAN
I know better than to go to the grocery store when I’m hungry, but I have no choice. My empty fridge is pathetic, and I need to stop eating out so much.
I’m putting anything and everything in my shopping cart. I’ve been here for five minutes, and I’ve already added some watermelon, carrots, bell peppers, salt and vinegar kettle chips, and dill pickle hummus. I didn’t know there was such a flavor, but it’s worth a shot.
As soon as I turn down the cookie aisle, something causes me to freeze in my tracks—or rather someone. That can’t be who I think it is, right? I shift slightly and see that the guy is wearing a Tennessee Wolves hoodie. Yep, it’s him—Mac Evans.
Why? Why?
He’s reading a label, so I quickly turn around and leave the aisle before he notices me.
This is all Katie’s fault. She jinxed me when she said I’d see him in Trader Joe’s. I skipped going there just in case, and here we are. What are the chances?
I’m not sure what to do now. I could abandon my cart and leave, even though I had my heart set on trying the dill pickle hummus. Some things just aren’t worth it.
I decide to go to the farthest aisle and take my time, hoping Mac leaves before our paths cross, forcing an awkward conversation that neither of us wants to have. This is if he even remembers who I am aside from yet another woman he believes is head over heels in love with him.
Nope—the last time I saw him was beyond humiliating, and I’d rather not do it again.
It’s bad enough that Katie’s mom is hosting a barbeque and he’s going to be there. The saving grace is there will be plenty of other people lining up to talk to the hockey star, so I can avoid, avoid, avoid.
I could always skip the event, but Katie is my best friend, and I adore her family. Why should I let the return of Mac Evans keep me away from people who are important to me? He doesn’t live here. I do.
I take my time perusing the various types of cheese, giving Mac plenty of time to finish his shopping and get out of this store.
I find my phone in my bag and send Katie a message.
What are the chances I’d see Mac while grocery shopping? Can you see the future?
I check my surroundings in case he’s lurking nearby.
Are you serious? He’s at Trader Joes?
I frown.
I’m not at Trader’s because of what you said. I’m at Market Place and he’s here. I can’t even get to the cookies.
I cautiously move away from the cheese display and peek around the corner, looking completely suspicious. A woman with two small children gives me a curious look, so I flash an innocent smile.
My phone buzzes again .
Just say hi to him. It doesn’t have to be weird.
I move to the next aisle and peek around a tall stack of toilet paper packages.
“Is everything okay?” a voice calls from behind me.
I turn around to see the woman with the kids.
“Oh, yes, I’m sorry,” I exclaim. “There’s just someone here I’m hoping to avoid.”
She nods knowingly. “Got it. What does he look like?”
I press my lips together. “Um, it doesn’t matter?—”
“Nonsense. I can check to make sure the coast is clear.”
I’m probably overreacting, and now I’ve involved an innocent woman and her kids.
“Uh, okay. He’s tall, muscular, with wavy brown hair.”
And a famous hockey player.
Before I have a chance to finish my description, she quickly takes off with her cart to fulfill her mission. A few seconds later she’s hurrying back to me.
“Are you talking about Mac Evans, the hockey goalie?” she whispers loudly. “My husband is a huge fan. Why would you want to avoid him? He’s so gorgeous—and don’t worry my husband knows I think so.”
This just keeps getting worse by the second.
“Please forget about it,” I beg. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”
She gives me a confused look.
“Thanks again for helping,” I say before I rush away.
I wander for a few more minutes and slowly make my way to the front of the store. This needs to stop, so I’ll take my chances. As soon as I near the front, I spot Mac talking to the cashier, and naturally my new friend is standing right behind him. I should’ve known that would happen. She says something, and he turns to talk to her. Hopefully she doesn’t tell him about the strange woman who was ducking around corners trying to avoid him. Women are supposed to stick together, right?
“Mommy, there’s the lady who was hiding,” her little girl shrieks as she points in my direction. Her voice carries through the store, and I’m sure every single shopper hears her.
No. Why do kids have no filter?
I didn’t even consider the kid would rat me out. Oh well, there’s no where I can hide now. I should just act natural and walk through the store without a care in the world.
“Vivian?” a deep voice calls.
I cringe as my heart sinks into my stomach.
I look up to see Mac still standing at the register. I slowly push my cart forcing a surprised smile onto my face.
“Oh hey, Mac,” I say nonchalantly. “How funny. Katie mentioned you were coming home.”
He holds up his hands. “Here I am. How are you? It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has. I’m great.”
He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. “Good. I’m glad to hear it?—"
“My husband says you just had your best season yet,” the lady with the kids interrupts him.
Ah, maybe she will end up saving the day after all.
“It was a good season overall,” he agrees. “We were hoping for a different outcome, but the Wolves will be even stronger in the fall. Tell your husband I said hello and thanks for the support.”
“Can we get a picture with you?” she asks, reaching into her bag for her phone. “My husband is going to flip.”
“Of course,” he exclaims happily.
She thrusts her phone toward the cashier and then posses with Mac and her kids .
The cashier is also staring at him with stars in her eyes as she finishes bagging his items. I guess this is what everyday life is like for him. Women swooning over his looks and men over his hockey skills.
“Well, it was nice seeing you, Vivian,” he says, eyeing me again.
“You to,” I say, giving a wave.
He says goodbye to the cashier and the lady with the kids before strutting out with an air of confidence that’s typical for Mac Evans.
“Oh wow,” the woman exclaims. “You must have some kind of past with Mac Evans. Did you and him?—"
“No,” I say louder than I intended. “We just have a few friends in common.”
She shakes her head. “Well, there has to be more to the story because that was really tense.”
I don’t answer her. I’m not talking to a stranger about anything Mac Evans related. This is how rumors start.
Thankfully my phone rings, saving me from having to continue this conversation. Katie has the best timing. I wave to the woman and answer my phone.
“Hello.”
“Did you and Mac have a chance to talk?”
“Briefly.”
“Were you nice?” she asks.
“Of course,” I exclaim, feeling slightly offended.
“Good. At least try to fake it.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Now on to more important topics—how about dinner with Cash on Friday night and no more canceling?”
“Fine,” I say. “There are worse things than being introduced to a successful, attractive lawyer. ”
“Finally. That’s what I’ve been saying. You should know by now that I’m almost always right.”
I laugh. “Okay sure.”
I hurry off the phone so I can purchase my groceries and get out of this store before I cause any more of a scene.
“Oh, I love your hair,” my mom says giving me a hug. I lean over the table and kiss my dad on the cheek.
“Thanks, I washed it.”
She makes a face. “Oh Vivi. Please tell me you wash your hair more than once a week.”
“Of course.”
She lets out a huge sigh of relief.
“How are you? I’m so glad we could all find an evening to have dinner,” Mom says, picking up her menu. “Jackie should be here soon.”
“I’m great,” I say. “And what about you two? Did you finally book your cruise?”
My parents have been talking for years about taking a cruise, or rather my mom has been talking about it and trying to talk my dad into it.
“Your mom has convinced me to go to the Bahamas on a four-night sailing,” my dad mumbles.
“That’s amazing. Are you excited?”
“To be on a large boat with a bunch of strangers?”
“Yes, Dad. That’s what a cruise is.”
“I’d rather go to Vegas,” he says.
“Vegas is disgusting,” Mom snaps.
“You don’t know that because you’ve never been,” Dad retorts.
“And you’ve never been on a cruise,” Mom replies .
My dad frowns but doesn’t say anything. Honestly the man is a saint. He must be after living with three women. My mother, Jaclyn, and I are a lot to handle.
I look back and forth as my parents face off.
“Okay, so it’s settled. You go on your cruise, and your next trip will be to Las Vegas,” I declare, holding up my hand before my mother can chime in.
“Hello, family,” Jaclyn announces dramatically. She blows us each a kiss and sits down between me and my mom. “What did I miss?”
My mother takes the lead and explains the whole cruise or Vegas debate before our server arrives to take our drink order.
“I have the perfect solution,” Jaclyn says, as if we’ve all been waiting for her to solve this issue. “Take a cruise and then go to Vegas.”
“I said the same thing,” I interject.
“Good. It’s settled,” Jaclyn says. “Now Vivi, I’ve been dying to talk to you about something important.”
“Really? What?” I ask. My sister and I don’t have important conversations very often.
“Mac Evans. I heard he’s back.”
My stomach twists—no doubt it’s probably nausea.
“So. What does that have to do with me?”
“You’re friends with him, right? He’s a famous hockey player now.”
“We aren’t friends,” I say flatly.
She makes a face. “Sure you are. You used to hang out with him all the time.”
“No. I hung out with Katie. And Mac hung out with her brother.”
She waves her hand. “Details, details. Anyway, can you set up an introduction for me and my friends? ”
What? Is she serious?
“I remember Mac,” Mom chimes in. “He was always around. Why would you say you aren’t friends with him?”
Are we really discussing this? It’s supposed to be a family dinner.
“I’ll talk to Katie and see what I can do,” I say finally. At this point I’d say anything to change the subject.
“Perfect,” Jaclyn squeals. “Thanks. The man is gorgeous and…single.”
She types something on her phone and takes a sip of her water.
“Anyway, let’s order an appetizer,” I announce. I’m determined to end all discussion of Mac Evans.
When the server returns, we order spinach artichoke dip and an order of grilled shrimp.
The rest of the evening is uneventful, other than more debating of a cruise versus Las Vegas. Any topic is better than discussing famous hockey players.