Oh my goodness! Did Tyler just invite himself to go shopping with me?

No, he was headed there too so it's a coincidence.

Keep telling yourself that girl.

"Lead the way," He said.

He was heading for his SUV when I got a flashback to the night at the club a giggle escape my lips.

He turns and looks at me, but when he saw I was still staring at his vehicle he chuckled too.

"That was the best night of my life, sweetheart." He winked at me.

Something about the way he said that makes my body feel all tingly inside.

"Which grocery store do you want to go to?" He asked.

"Walmart".

****

As we park our cars. I grab my bag and open the door.

Tyler jumped out, and took my hand, as I stepped out. I gasp as goosebumps broke out on my hands from his touch. We walked in silence to the grocery store entrance. Suddenly, nerves assaulted me.

What if someone recognized me and go tell my dad that I am with a boy in the supermarket.

We entered the store, and I looked around to see if I know anyone.

"Where to first?" Tyler asked, still holding my hand grinning as he pulled out a shopping cart as we walked in.

"You seem really excited about shopping for food," I whispered, pulling my hand back slowly from his, he frowned at me but quickly put a smile on.

"I haven't been to the grocery store since I got here, Susan my housekeeper do all the shopping and cleaning. But she always brings back my favorite treat Gummy Bears"

I laughed. "Well, then, let's make this memorable. If you're good, I will buy you some Gummy Bears"

"Really! Then let's get shopping!"

I laughed. He took my hand once again and pull me further into the store.

I walked ahead of him, and he followed behind me with the cart. I was a little embarrassed when I realized he would witness my bargain shopping. I hadn't thought of the fact he would see me worrying over money. I couldn't get out of this now. I might as well swallow my pride and get what I needed. I reached for a loaf of bread. I didn't want to face him, but I knew he was watching me. I walked over to the cold meats and grabbed the deli shredded roast beef Dad adored. I hated wasting money on such expensive meat, but Dad loves it and I can't say no to him.

A loud whisper came from behind us, "No, Mama, that's Hannah!" And I turn around to see Mrs. Priya Moti and her daughter Anjali.

"See Mama, I told you it was her!" The little girl said as she ran and give me a hug.

"How are you doing Anju? I missed you last week at the park"

When Mrs. Moti had to work late I will go over and babysit little Anju. She's five. They moved here ten years ago, but Mr. Moti had gone back to India for the past three years for some work but he never visited them back. Mrs. Moti had lost all hope of him ever coming back. But for Anjali's sakes, she prays he comes back.

Tyler smiled at us, and Anju's face lit up. "Hannah, is that your boyfriend?" Anju whispered in my ear. Her words registered and my face turned beat red, duh you idiot she must have seen Tyler and me holding hands.

"No. He's just a friend." I whispered back to her. I wasn't sure what Tyler was to me. He never said anything about being friends.

She frowned as she left my side and when over to Tyler and tug his shirt he bent down and she put her little arms around his neck.

Anju is a hugger.

Tyler only smiled and shrugged, and then he squatted down to her level. "Hello," he said in a voice I swear could melt butter.

"Is that lucky charms cereal?" She asked pointing at the boxes of cereal.

"Yes it is, it happens to my favorite. you like lucky charms, too?"

"I love it! But Mama said we don't have enough money to pay for it" she said sadly.

He glanced up at the mom and back down at the girl. Tyler reached for two boxes of the cereal and give the little girl.

Her little face lit up, and she grinned from ear to ear. The mother appeared stunned. Tyler reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a fifty dollar and give the mother.

"Here, this for the cereal and buy whatever she wants."

Anjali began to squeal, and Tyler throws his head back and laugh. She jumps into his arms and hug him and kiss his cheeks.

He returned the hug and he kissed her forehead before standing up. The mother's eyes glistened with tears. I realized tears were burning the back of my eyes too.

The mother smiled through her tears. "Thank you, I don't, I mean I can't...." She took a deep breath and smiled. "Thank you." More tears started spilling down her face, and she wiped them away. "I'm sorry I am being so silly, but this year hasn't been easy on us"

A small sob escaped her, and she shook her head, smiling. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome"

He bowed and blew Anju a kiss. Her small little hand reached out, grabbed the invisible kiss, and placed it on her lips. My heart melted as I watched them.

"Bye Hannah," she said with a little wave.

I watched them walk away, the little girl gazing back and smiling at him until they were out of sight.

I wiped the tears off my face. "Yeah, that one got to me too"

He walked over to me, wiped a tear off my cheek, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just have a soft spot for beautiful girls"

Oh my! Did he just call me beautiful? Or I'm reading too much into it?

But that makes me jealous knowing he knows a lot of beautiful girls. Maybe this is how he treated all of them.

"You were so sweet to her, and I got to see the highlight of her life."

Tyler grinned. "I doubt it's the highlight."

I raised my eyebrows and countered, "Well, you're wrong. When she is forty years old, she will be telling the story about a handsome guy buying her Lucky Charms in a grocery store "

Tyler smirked wickedly. "Handsome huh? If I buy you a box of Lucky Charms and blow you a kiss, will it be the highlight of your life?"

I managed to keep from getting hypnotized by his incredible eyes focused on me so intently. "No, only works on little girls, and I don't like Lucky Charms." I push him away, before I did something stupid like kissing him.

He frowned and placed his hand over his heart. "Ouch! Give a guy a chance to try. "One day I will be the highlight of your life." He winked.

I laughed and turned toward the cereal aisle, leaving him to follow along behind me. I went to pick up a box of Reese's Puffs.

We managed to get the rest of the things I needed. Tyler kept his eyes on me most of the time, which I find very uncomfortable. He appeared to be really interested in the things in the grocery cart. However, I saw him put in a few items in the cart of his own. He grabbed a large package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and I found his Gummy Bears at the checkout lane and added it to my cart while he wasn't paying attention.

Once the groceries were bought, he loaded them into the cart, and we went outside. Tyler's vehicle beeped, and the lights came on as we got near it. I unlock my doors and Tyler started to load the groceries into my truck.

"I'll do it," I said.

He looked back at me and smiled. "I can handle it. You go sit inside."

Tyler sighed and motioned for me to go in. I opened the door and I could feel him behind me. As I sat down on the seat and turn to face him, he was watching me with the same expression he wore in the store.

"You are determined not to let me impress you with my chivalry and are taking all the glory." He smiled.

I was told never to judge someone without getting to know them. When Amy told me that Tyler is a 'manwhore' I put him in a category with people I should stay away from. But then I couldn't be rude not to thank him for bringing me home safe. I no longer saw him as shallow and self-centered. Not after the scene, I witnessed it in the grocery store. I would never forget Anju's face when Tyler bought her the cereals and kissed her head for as long as I lived.

"Are you going to share those deep thoughts with me?" He cocked a brow.

I shrugged. "I'm just remembering little Anju's face. What you did was really nice. I didn't picture you like that."

He frowned. "Like what?"

I stopped talking and gazed up at him because his mouth had formed a crooked smile. "What?" I asked.

He lightly ran his finger from my ear to my chin. "I think you're the first girl I have ever met who is impressed by my kindness to kids."

My heart thudded in my chest from his touch. Drawing breath into my lungs became difficult. "Well, you really need to be pickier about who you spend time with," I said breathlessly.

He threw back his head and laughed, and I couldn't help but smile. "You're right, Hannah, I do, and I think I have found someone who I want to spend time with who happens to cry for little girls and buy me Gummy Bears"

"You'll get tired of me quickly. I'm boring, how did you know I bought Gummy Bears." I admitted out loud before I realized it.

He slipped a finger under my chin and tilted my face up. "Nothing about you is boring. I watched your every move in there."

I frowned, and he kissed my head much like he did Anju's and laughed softly.

"Don't frown, beautiful. You fascinate me."

My face grew hot, and my heart pounded so hard in my chest that I feared it might burst its way out. It wasn't fair that he could affect me with so little effort.

"I think you should go now, while you can," He said as lean closer to me.

A wise person would do what they were told but I am a dummy so I stay right there.

"What if I don't want to?" I asked.

My heart was beating so hard I could hear it in my ears.

"Hannah-"

The sound of a ringtone breaks me out of my trance.

"Fuck! Sorry, I have to take this," He said as he looks at his phone and walks to his truck.

"- for God's sake Jenny I told you I will call you later." He snapped.

Who is Jenny? A girlfriend? One night stand? Why did I think he was different just because he helps a little girl doesn't mean he's trustworthy.

Go ahead and judge him, you mean girl. Didn't you just have the most amazing time shopping with him?

Shut up!

I felt awkward sitting here watching him talking to Jenny.

Should I go now? Wait till he's finished?

As I close my door and start my truck. I saw him from the corner of my eyes walking towards me again.

"Sorry about that, family issues. Leaving already?" His voice sounds like he was taking on more than he was sharing.

"Oh, is something wrong?"

"Nothing I can't handle." Something about the way he said that makes me want to hug him.

"Leaving already?" He asked again.

"Yes." I didn't know what else to say then I reached in my handbag and took out the Gummy Bears. I handed it to him and his face lit up.

"I take it I was good."

I nodded. "Thanks again for the company."

He bowed teasingly. "Anytime."

Something about his eyes made me want to spill my soul.

He pulled his phone out. "Give me your number," he told me.

I only have six contacts on my phone. I never give a guy my number except for Jeremy.

"I promise I won't give anyone else your phone, I just wanna be friends"

Who can say no to that? I don't have a lot of friends.

I give him my number and we said our goodbyes.

Later that night as I lay in bed, thinking about Tyler Harper my phone started to ring.

"Hello," I answered my phone.

"Hello Hannah, sorry for calling you so late. I forgot to tell you I had an amazing time today with you." He said quietly, his voice makes my skin break out in goosebumps.

"Me too," I said shortly after I found my voice.

"You in bed already?"

"Yes."

Did he just growl?

"Good night, Angel"

"Good night."

I disconnected the call and save his number as Mr. Hottie.

I went to sleep with a smile on my face.

Welcome back! 🤗

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

Don't forget to vote, and comment! ❤ Your feedback makes me so happy!

Add this book to your library to get a notification every time I updated it!

You can follow me on
Instagram:

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoy it!

  Keep Smiling and Be Safe!❤