Page 81 of This Broken Heart

And then someone is putting their arm around me, spinning me around. His familiar scent fills my nose as his arms wrap around me protectively. His voice is a low growl, it rumbles in his chest. “What did you say to her?”

Matt’s stuttering. “Nothing. I’m not sure.”

“Then why is she crying?”

I have no idea where Josh came from—if he just sensed that I needed him, but I’m thankful he’s here.

“Oh, my god.” I bury my face in Josh’s flannel shirt. “Please tell me this isn’t happening.”

Josh cranes his head, peering down at me. “Are you okay?”

I sniff, laughing at myself. “I guess that’s relative. Ignore me. Please. I’m just missing my dad. It just sort of hit me all the sudden.”

I just came in here for groceries. I didn’t bargain for this little circus side show. Everything about this encounter is awful. Except Josh.

His presence is shoring me up.

As much as I want to melt into the floor from pure embarrassment, I force myself to turn back to Lily and Matt. They look almost as mortified as I feel.

54.

Josh

I left Trace and Maven with Erin’s mom. Not by choice, but when they met Donnita’s dog, I couldn’t pry them away. She sent me to the store to surprise Erin.

For the record, I am extremely uncomfortable with this plan. Even more uncomfortable with the fact that I’m the one who has to execute it.

Surprise. Your work followed you home.

The whole thing has me squirming, but for Trace, I’d do pretty much anything.

And he’s not the only one who wants to see her.

I’ve been missing her since the moment she slid her coat on and announced she was leaving.

It isn’t hard to find Erin in the grocery store. That coppery hair is a dead giveaway. When I first spot her, she’s talking to some friends, so I hold back, not wanting to interrupt.

But the more I look at the guy she’s talking to, the more familiar he starts to look. Then I remember where I’ve seen that dough boy before.

Erin’s ex.

Smiling and hanging all over another woman. Right in front of her.

What an asshole.

She needs back-up. But before I can get to her, she starts shrinking in on herself. Almost like her stomach hurts. I can’t tell, but think she might be crying.

I’m not sure if I’m going to grab her or punch him in the face.

Fortunately for all parties involved, I grab her first. There’s a brief moment of uncertainty when I wonder if this is a good surprise or a bad surprise for her. But she turns into me, accepting my presence like she knew I’d come all along.

I have every intention of scooping her under my arm and helping her escape, but she turns back to look at the fucker that made her cry.

She’s blushing underneath all those tears, and yet she faces him with a brave smile.

I’m proud of her.

But I’m still not going to let go. I keep my arm around her waist, glaring down at this mediocre shit head, wondering what she saw in him.