📢*PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE READ PREVIOUS CHAPTERS!*
Enjoy.🌬
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A million thoughts raced through my mind as I took my trolly through the isle. Today was grocery shopping day, and frightening enough-it was also the day of my second date with Adam. Well, if you consider taking photos of him at his place to be a "date." (Which I didn't, but he said so, so lets go with that). I dropped a carton of milk in the trolly, and my head began to swell again. Surely-this was not a professional photoshoot. No. I'm sure he had something more devious up his sleeve. Then I dropped a bag of apples and some rosemary in. But what about that hot, passionate kiss we shared? If he did it again, would I be able to resist? My hands tightened on the trolly in frustration. Was it just regular frustration, or sexual frustration? I groaned. Over the years, I thought I had become immune to the seduction and tricks of men like him...but it doesn't seem so-

"Woah! Slow down Ms. Rell. Your feet will catch afire with that speed!"

Oh dammit. I had ran into an employee, Jack Montomery. Mature middle-aged man, early thirties. His age was belied by the cherry freckles and matching auburn hair that made him look boyishly handsome. But still rugged. The sweet, calming southern accent definitely helped.

"Oh gosh, I'm terribly sorry Jackie. Trying to get my grocery shopping done-I have an....appointment later this evening."

"You nearly ran me over," he laughed. "But I don' mind. You're looking more beautiful than ever today."

I smiled and thanked him for the compliment. He was always so flirtatious and comical. I was never really interested in him though. Which is peculiar because he's gorgeous and a real gentlemenn-a stark contrast to Adam who's dominant, direct and extremely sexual.
The fact that we would never be together hurt Jack, and even more so since I remind him of his wife. She had died in a horrible car accident. He told me so. That revelation sent me into melancholy, and for awhile I did indeed consider dating him. But I just never felt much of a romantic connection. Jack was one of those persons you would keep as a close friend and confidant. Nothing more, nothing less. So I would always let him off gently, and my heart broke into pieces when I saw the flash of disappointment in his eyes. Every time.

And Jack wasn't the only one. Men's eyes would follow me wherever I go. It was oddly pleasing but sometimes annoying. Some said they liked my wide blue eyes, volumptuous curves and my hair. Especially my hair. They were always saying how lustrous, black, long and perfumed it is. One even told me that he wanted to tangle himself and his hands in it and-well you know what else. So forward of him, don't you think? But wasn't that the case with Adam? Yet, I liked the bastard so much, even when he was always naughty and unrestrained. Damn.

"Thanks for helping me with my groceries, Jackie," I said as he loaded the last of it into the backseat of my car.

"Anytime, Eleanor. You know you can come to me if you ever need anything. I will always care for you and love you, even if we'll never be-" Jack trailed off. He was becoming emotional.

"Jack-"

"Its alright Eleanor. I'll see you soon."

Quick as a flash, almost too quick-Jack left without another word. I sighed deeply and ran a hand over my face, and then proceeded to enter the car. Jack and I were always great friends-but his romantic love for me-and my unresponsiveness to...