Page 2 of Tempting Bo (Montgomery Dreams #2)

KENZIE

There’s something to be said about coming back to a place you spent a lot of time at as a kid when you’re an adult.

I used to watch my mom scratch items off her grocery list and compare the ingredients on different boxes in these aisles.

Now it’s my turn to push a cart with squeaky wheels over the worn linoleum as the fluorescents buzz overhead.

The store is set up the same way it has been my whole life, packages with familiar branding stacked neatly on the shelves.

It hasn’t even been that long since I left, but I’m different now.

I round the corner of the aisle, my nose buried in my list, and immediately crash into another cart.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” I say, taking several steps back. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you alright?”

The woman has her back turned to me, but she turns as soon as she finishes calling something out to her daughter at the end of the aisle.

“Oh, don’t even worry about it, honey,” she says, already waving me off before she makes eye contact. “It happ— Kenzie ?”

My eyes grow wide to the familiar shag of copper blond hair and big brown eyes. She has her hair down, which is why I didn’t recognize her instantly, but I’d never forget that face.

“Mrs. Montgomery!” I gush, stepping away from my cart to pull her into a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”

She wraps me into a tight embrace, squeezing me and squealing in excitement.

“Honey, look at you!” she says happily, stepping back to rake her gaze over me. “You look amazing. Gosh, I’ll never get over your hair. And call me Hailey, would you?”

Her comment about my hair makes me giggle—she’s always been fond of my bright red curls, especially when I grew it out sophomore year. It’s almost down to my ass these days.

“ You look amazing,” I tell her, beaming when she blushes and waves the compliment off. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you in years.”

Weekends at the Montgomery Ranch were my favorite growing up, whether I was hanging out with Bo or Oakley or just doing homework at the table while my mom and Hailey gossiped about adult stuff that I didn’t care about.

She was practically a second mom to me.I’ve been so busy between graduating and moving that I didn’t even have time to tell her I was moving back.

Hell, I only told my own parents a week before I signed the lease to my apartment.

“I’m doing great. Working and playing and dealing with all the kids being home,” she says with a sardonic grin. “How’s college treating you?”

“Last week I graduated! I enjoyed it, but I’m glad it’s over.

Definitely ready to get on with real life.

” College was the easy part, really. I graduated high school with enough AP credits to start as a sophomore, so I only spent three years living out of a dorm.

School was something I enjoyed, and that didn’t change at college.

Now it’s time to make sure other kids get to have the same good experience I had in high school.

My guidance counselor really changed my life, and the opportunity to take over for her now that she’s retiring is an honor.

Finding an apartment in my budget was tricky, but there was a cute little one bedroom close enough to the school that I can walk when the weather’s nice.

“I heard Oakley moved back, right? Is she still in college?”

“She sure did,” Hailey says with a fond sigh. “Damn near gave her dad a heart attack when she got back together with Jamie, but they’ve sorted all that out. She’s going to the community college with Phoebe now, and so is Jamie.”

Oakley texted me about the whole fiasco with Jamie and the guy from New York—Sean or Sam or Shane or whatever. It sounded like a mess and a half, but they got it all handled. I still need to get the full story about Chuckles from her, though, once I have time over some weekend.

Before I can respond, a voice calls out in our direction from the end of the aisle.

“Is this one okay?”

Hailey glances over at the girl she was talking to when I ran into her cart, who’s holding up a bag of chips.

“That’s fine, honey.”

The girl comes wandering down the aisle; her stride slow and confident.

Her hair is the kind of bleach blond that people would kill for, perfect bouncy curls tied up in an artfully messy half ponytail that leaves the lower half of her hair free to flow down her shoulders.

I smile warmly as she approaches us, pretty sure she’s Bo’s younger sister, Maggie.

Maggie does not return the smile.

“What’s next on the list?” she asks, flicking hazel eyes up and down at me in bland curiosity.

“Maggie, you remember Kenzie, don’t you?” Hailey says, smiling widely at her daughter.

“Yeah, sure.”

Oh, she’s got that teenage nonchalance down pat. She sure got all the attitude that (by)passed Bo and Oakley. I’m smart enough not to tell her she’s grown since I last saw her, although it’s on the tip of my tongue.

“It’s good to see you, Maggie,” I say politely, trading an amused glance with Hailey.

“Yeah, you too,” she says, smacking at her gum. “Mom, can I just have the list if y’all are going to catch up?”

Hailey rolls her eyes, but chuckles as she hands the list over and pushes the cart toward Maggie .

“Go crazy, kiddo.” Maggie disappears into another aisle almost immediately, leaving Hailey and I to chuckle together. “I’d say she’s usually more friendly, but she’s kind of a brat these days. Do Boden and Oakley know you’re in town? How long are you here for?”

“I’m actually living here again! Moved into my apartment this morning,” I tell her proudly. “I haven’t had a chance to tell anyone but my parents that I’m back yet.”

“Do you and Bo not keep in touch?” she asks with a slight frown. “You were such good friends in high school.”

I glance away briefly, fighting back the blush that threatens to steal my face at the mention of Bo.

“We do!” I hoped we’d stay in touch more often, but between my college schedule and his work schedule, it’s rare that we catch up these days. “We’re both just so busy, but we always text each other over the holidays.”

He always answers when I text him, and even on the rare occasion that I call, but I don’t reach out often.

My crush is obvious enough without me blowing up his phone all the time.

Hailey doesn’t seem happy with that answer, and she pats me on the arm consolingly.

I’m sure she knows about my feelings for Bo, but she’s never said anything.

She probably doesn’t want to embarrass me.

“Maybe now that you’re back home, you two can get together more often. I’m sure he misses you. Actually, if you don’t have plans for tonight, we’re doing dinner. I’d love it if you could join us.”

Excuses spring to mind immediately, but the truth is, I don’t have anything to do tonight. My parents are on vacation until next week, and I was planning on eating ramen and unpacking boxes tonight. Seeing the Montgomerys would be a much nicer way to spend the evening.

The thought of seeing Bo again has butterflies swarming in my gut.

“I’d really like that, if you’re sure it’s okay,” I say, hoping I sound excited and not nervous.

“Of course it is! We’re always happy to have you.” Hailey scrunches her nose up in a grin before glancing down toward the end of the aisle. “I do need to go find Maggie before she fills the cart with junk food, though. Is your number still the same?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“I’ll text you the time for dinner,” she promises. “Can’t wait to see you tonight, sweetheart!”

I wave to her as she goes off in search of her daughter, my chest light and full of warmth. She’s always been so welcoming to me, especially when I was new in town. She and my mom hit it off shortly after we moved, and I got close with Bo and Oakley since we all went to the same school.

I never had a best friend before Bo, and it was a cruel twist of fate for me to have such a huge crush on him.

Nothing ever came from it because I was too afraid of rejection and ruining our friendship.

He had a few casual girlfriends when we were younger, but it was never anything serious.

Still, it seemed like every time I worked up the courage to say something, he had another girl mooning over him.

To be fair, even if he didn’t have a gaggle of girls obsessed with him, he’s always been way out of my league.

I finish up my grocery shopping and head back toward my apartment, head spinning with memories and long repressed feelings.

It feels like I haven’t seen Bo in forever, even though it’s only been a few years. Maybe the time apart will have changed something. Our families have always been so close, and we’ve always been so close.

Things could be different now.

I’m definitely different now. I’ve got a college degree tucked under my belt, a real job, an apartment all to myself.

Maybe I should dress up a little. Nothing crazy, but maybe a dress or a skirt. Something that’ll draw his attention to the fact that I’m a woman now. As soon as the idea springs to mind, I shake it off.

As much as I’ve changed, I’m the same person I’ve always been. There’s no point in trying to dress up and be someone I’m not.

Jeans and a sweater it is.

Bo has always liked me for who I am, and if he’s going to like me the way I want him to, I want him to like me , not some fabricated version of me. It’s probably a pipe dream anyway, but there is one thing I can be certain of.

I’ve never been someone who rushes into things, always too scared to grab hold of opportunities in the past. I’m not the same scared, shy girl I once was, and I’m not going to let a chance at something good fly by without at least trying to reach for it.

Especially if it involves Bo.