Every Vow She Breaks by Jannine Gallant Read Free Book Online Page B

nose smashed against a hard button. The yeasty smell of beer permeated his shirt.
    “I can’t believe how great you look, though I don’t know why I’m surprised.” When she tugged against his embrace, he released her. “We should get together to catch up. Have dinner or something.”
    “Uh, maybe, though I am here to work.” This was Dallas, her old boyfriend. Just because he was easily twice her size and had her pushed up against a display of brooms and dust mops was no reason to feel nervous.
    “Theresa mentioned you aren’t married. Did she tell you about my divorce?” His lips flattened. “Mandy took the kids and moved up to Portland.”
    “I’m sorry about that.” She put another foot of space between them. “It must be hard.”
    On his long sigh, the scent of beer drifted her way. “Yeah, it’s been rough.”
    “Claire?”
    She turned quickly then reached to steady the broom display when it swayed. Jed’s focus was on Dallas, eyes narrowed.
    “Everything okay?”
    “Sure. I ran into an old friend.” She forced a smile. “Literally. Jed Lafferty meet Dallas Simms.”
    Both men nodded a greeting. Neither stepped forward to offer a hand. Tension sizzled.
    Claire cleared her throat. “It was great seeing you again, but I’m afraid I’m a little pressed for time right now.”
    Dallas shrugged one broad shoulder. “I understand.” His gaze flicked back to Jed. “We’ll talk later. Theresa told me you’re camping. Are you at Towering Trees?”
    “I am.” With a hesitant smile, she escaped around the end of the aisle.
    Jed followed close behind. “I didn’t like the way that guy looked at you. Needy. What’s up with him?”
    She stopped in front of a shelf full of hair care products. “Nothing. We used to date.”
    “You dated that guy? Do you have a thing for Neanderthals?”
    Her back stiffened as she reached for a bottle of honeysuckle scented shampoo. “He’s a big man. So what? In high school, he was also kind and open with his feelings. I imagine he still is. Did you get the lunchmeat?”
    He lifted a package wrapped in white paper. “Lunchmeat and steaks. They looked too good to pass up.”
    “Let’s go, then.”
    Neither said anything as they paid for their purchases and left the market. Dallas was nowhere in sight. The silence stretched when Jed stopped for gas.
    Leaning back in the seat, she studied his tight lips as he stood by the door, waiting for the tank to fill. “What has your tail twisted into a knot?”
    He glanced at her through the open car window, and the lines around his mouth eased. “Your ex-boyfriend reminded me of this bully who used to give little kids wedgies when I was in third grade. I know I’m stereotyping, but the resemblance is scary.” He rolled his eyes. “Sorry. I’m sure Dallas is a swell guy.”
    Her lips curved upward. “ Swell guy? Are we in Mr. Roger’s neighborhood?”
    “How about a good dude?”
    She held her response until he’d finished pumping the gas and climbed back into the SUV. “You can call him whatever you want. What happened to the bully?”
    “He gave me one wedgie too many, and Kane beat the crap out of him.”
    “Good for Kane.”
    “So, are you going to tell me about Dallas?”
    “Not much to tell.” She stared through the windshield as he started the engine. “He was my high school sweetheart.”
    “Let me guess—the guy played football.”
    “Captain of the team. We dated for two years and planned to attend the same college. Only problem was, he didn’t get in. Dallas wanted me to go to the local community college with him instead.”
    “You didn’t.”
    She shook her head. “He was hurt, and I felt awful. At one point during our senior year we’d talked about getting married sometime in the future….” A long sigh slipped out. “You know how it is when you’re young and think you’re in love. Lucky for me, I wised up before ruining my whole future.”
    “Your ex never left Shady