When Mum had called that morning to say she was on her way home and asked if we could meet up, I’d agreed. I guessed Taylor had told her I was finally back. I’d known it wouldn’t take long before she learned of my return, so it wasn’t really that much of a surprise. What I hadn’t banked on, though, was being dragged through store after store, my hands and arms loaded up with more shopping bags than I cared to hold. I tried to make excuses to leave, saying I had stuff to do, but one look at the disappointment on her face and I was following right after her, being blackmailed by my own mother, and I was allowing her to do it because the other option would only leave me feeling guilty. And that was worse.

“Ooh,” Mum cooed as she stopped at yet another shop entrance. “Lillie has set up the new line. We’ll just have a quick browse.” She beamed, her eyes lighting up as she walked a few feet ahead.

“Really?” I asked incredulously as I glared down at the ever-growing pile of bags. When I got no response, I looked up to see that I’d spoken too late. Mum hadn’t heard me because she was already inside the shop, her eyes firmly on the prize. I groaned but followed her anyway.

Sweat lined my forehead and, as if sensing my struggle, the air con kicked in and began to fill the small space around me, brushing my skin with a cold chill I hadn’t realised I needed until then.

Football season was over and the first glimpse of summer was settling upon the small town of Winslow. Unlike the day before, now there was no sign of rain. The sky was as blue as the ocean and as calm as a sleeping baby. Normally, I would embrace the heat with a cold beer by the pool. But there I was, sweating like a pig, carrier bags digging into my flesh as I trudged from one store to the next.

I breathed in the cold blast of air that assaulted my face and reminded myself why I was there. For my mother.

“Jake?” a cheery voice I didn’t recognise called out.

I turned my head to the side, much like an owl would. “Oh, hey, Leanne.” I grinned. “How’re tricks?”

“Oh, you know,” she cooed flirtatiously, swirling a loose strand of hair around her finger. “Same old, really. How about you? Heard you were back in town.”

“Yeah? News travels fast,” I pointed out

“Did you expect anything less? I mean, this is Winslow, after all. Not much gets past anyone,” she said.

“You’re telling me,” I grumbled as I searched behind me for Mum.

Leanne followed my eyes and curled her hand around my arm. “Stay right here,” she whispered as she gave it a squeeze.

I nodded indifferently, my eyes following her as she walked towards the back of the store and through a door that must have led to the storeroom.

Leanne and I went to college together. She’d followed me around during our first year and I’d had to let her down gently. Back then I wasn’t interested in girls—not anything serious at least—and there hadn’t been many girls who were interested in anything less than that. I’d focused my attention on college and football, everything that had always been important to me.

A few minutes later, Leanne came back. Her blonde hair, now pulled out from the clip that had previously held it in place, cascaded down her back in soft waves. She stalked towards me with a look I knew all too well and said, “I’ve got the rest of the afternoon off. You should take me to lunch. The rooftop terrace at Gerrard’s is stunning in this weather.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t. Maybe some other time, though.”

“Don’t be silly,” she giggled. “Of course you can.”

I took a step back and shook my head dismissively. “I can’t, Lea. I’ve promised Mum my undivided attention today. What with me being away so often, she’s missed me,” I added, hoping that would be enough of an excuse.

“Oh.” Her pink glossy lips puckered into a pout and I mentally rolled my eyes.

Leanne glanced behind me with a smile that lit up her eyes, “Oh, hey, Mrs. Knight.”

“Leanne.” Mum smiled. “How is Lillie? I haven’t seen her around in a while. I hope she’s well.”

“She’s fine, thank you. She’s been stuck in design mode, leaving me to run the store and expand my fashion knowledge.”

“I can see that. The store is looking wonderful.”

“Thank you.” Leanne beamed. “It’s hard work but I’m really enjoying it.”

“I’m sure it is, dear. So, will we be seeing your name over the door soon?” Mum asked. She was fishing for gossip.

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Leanne giggled in response.

I stifled a yawn as the two women in front of me began to fawn all over the latest fashion accessories. I had no clue what they were saying, nor did I care. I should have drawn the line at lunch.

“Jake?”

“Huh?” My head whipped back to Mum, then to Leanne.

“I was just telling your mum that we should meet for lunch soon. When you’re not busy, that is.” Leanne shot me a knowing look. I knew what she was doing and, judging by the frown that lined Mum’s forehead, I knew what was coming, too.

“He’s not busy now, are you Jake?” she said, eyeing me with a grin.

“Eh…”

“Go on,” she urged. “Go and have some fun. I’m sure I can handle a few shopping bags.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I said I would—”

“Of course. Go. It’s about time you went out and enjoyed yourself.” Mum turned to Leanne, whose eyes were wide with excitement. “He’s always so serious. I’ve told him he needs to loosen up and enjoy life while he can.”

Leanne giggled, her cheeks blushing as she tipped her head in line with mine.

Great. There was no way of getting out of it.

Just as I fumbled over excuses, the bell rang from behind. As if on cue, all three of us turned to see who had entered the store.

Mum hissed her disapproval as Melanie burst through the door, her hair whipping behind her like a tornado. Her movements slowed as she caught sight of us staring at her. Her eyes widened.

“You’re late,” Leanne scolded and stretched out a hand that held a set of keys that I was guessing were to the till. “Make sure you cash up before you leave. And don’t forget to set the alarm this time.” She dropped the keys in Mel’s unsure hand.

“You’re leaving?” Melanie blurted out then instantly clamped her mouth shut.

“Yes. Is that okay with you?” Leanne’s brows rose in challenge. Part of me felt sorry for Mel… for a split second, anyway.

“Eh… Yeah… I guess,” she stuttered, tucking her wayward hair behind her ear.

Leanne nodded and gripped my arm, pulling me close. “Good. Jake here is taking me out. If you need anything, don’t call me. Mum’s away all week, but Jennifer is on standby should you need her. No doubt she'll be expecting your call.”

Melanie appeared confused as she glanced between the two of us. She wasn’t alone. I was confused as hell, wondering how the fuck I’d been roped into this. Melanie clearly wasn’t happy at being left alone to run the store and it was obvious that Leanne was trying to get a reaction out of her. But I knew Melanie well. She wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of letting her know she was getting to her.

Melanie shook her head and nodded once, causing her hair to slip over one eye again. “Okay, sure. Have fun the both of you.” She smiled a smile that was clearly forced and made her way to the storeroom at the back.

“Umm… are you sure you should leave? We could always rearrange—”

Leanne squeezed my arm. “Don’t be silly. She’ll be fine. Besides, it’s about time she pulled her weight,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “I swear, it's hell trying to get the right staff these days. I’ve told Lillie numerous times to get rid of her, what with her being a liability and all, but does she listen?”

Shit. This chick had issues. And what was with her calling her Lillie? Hell, I couldn't imagine my parents ever insisting I call them by their first names.

“I guess, if you're sure…” I forced myself to say.

“Of course. Let's go.”

I nodded and handed Mum the bags, casting a glance over to the back of the store where Melanie had gone. Leanne tugged on my arm, forcing me to move with her. All the while my eyes were glued to the door that Melanie had just gone through. I was unable to look away. Eventually Melanie reappeared, her eyes meeting mine briefly before she smiled flatly. I narrowed my eyes at that and continued to let Leanne drag me out of the store.