Page 36 of Sunkissed Colorado

Once I had the general manager salary, I’d have far more flexibility. Ihadto get that job.

I glanced at the window, exhaling when Callum was gone. Thank you. I couldn’t deal with him again so soon.

“Here’s a spare key so you can move your things over,” Rosie said, digging around in her purse and producing a key ring shaped like a miniature shopping cart. “Just make yourself at home.”

“Thanks, Auntie. I’ll pick up a few things to help stock your fridge while I’m here.”

“How sweet of you.” She kissed my cheek. “Grab whatever you need, and the next time I do a shop myself, I’ll be sure to get lots of gluten and dairy free.”

“That would be great. I really appreciate it.”

Grabbing a cart, I wheeled to the produce section. This was going to be good. And if the Jimmy-and-Rosie dynamic was a little…intense, I could manage anything for a few days, right?

A bag of pre-washed greens went into my cart. A couple apples. Then I looked up and found Callum O’Neal perusing the veggies across from me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked before I could tell my mouth to hold back the words.

He smirked. “Building a nuclear reactor.” He tossed a Granny Smith in the air and caught it. “You?”

Nope.Do not engage.

At some point, I’d have to deal with him again, but not right now. Not after crying in front of him last night.

Yet I couldn’t stop my eyes from checking what he was doing as we both meandered through the produce section. Callum held up a butternut squash with an exaggerated questioning expression, as if asking for my opinion.

When I pointedly looked away, he moved on to a bundle of asparagus, examining it like it held the secrets of the universe. Next was a couple of limes, which he rolled around in his palm while raising his eyebrows at me expectantly.

Oh. My. God.

I kept my face carefully neutral, though I could feel the corners of my mouth threatening to betray me.

And damn it, even when he was being completely ridiculous, he still managed to look hot. His dark hair peeked messily from under his backward cap, and those gray joggers showed off the exact slope of his glutes. And the bulge in front…

Making a choked sound in my throat, I escaped to the cerealaisle. Time to study the gluten-free options and try to pretend my pulse hadn’t quickened from ogling him.

Yet when I turned around, there Callum was again, just a few feet away with his handcart hanging from his fingers. Nothing was in it.

“You’re following me,” I said.

“I’m doing some shopping.”

“Can you pick a new aisle?”

“Nope. This one’s got what I need.” He grabbed something randomly from the shelf.

“You need Bran Bites?”

“Yep, my fave.”

“A lot of people would find this creepy. Especially after you locked me in a storage closet with you last night. At our workplace.”

“But youdon’tfind it creepy?” he asked hopefully.

My mouth opened, words failing me.

If he were any other guy, he would’ve been throwing off so many red flags I’d be worried about a bull stampede. But somehow, no matter how obnoxious he was, Callum never came across as threatening.

It was kind of like being stalked by a mischievous golden retriever.