Oh, Mr. Toolbox Grumpy had gotten on my nerves, and I was going to get him back for it. Somehow. Some way. I wouldn’t rest until I paid him back for the humiliation he just subjected me to.

How dare he call my breasts small? I liked my breasts the way they were, thank you very much. Liam always said they were perfect, said they fit into his palms like delicious balls of grapes.

But then again, how could they, when they were so small? I peeked down my dress from the top, giving them a second inspection. Ugh. Jace had it coming. And when I was done, my revenge would be epic.

I let out the fumes of my irritation in one long sigh and went back to gathering the rest of my scattered belongings from the floor and the window ledge. I shoved everything into the open box and left it as it was. There was no way I could unpack without hangers. The wardrobe also needed cleaning. Honestly, the entire apartment needed a priest and holy water.

Groaning, I pulled out my phone to check my account balance. Damn. It wasn’t much. If I wanted to shop for the basics, I needed extra money. Valerie had texted earlier that if I ever needed help, I shouldn’t hesitate to call her. But I knew the instant I did, she’d go running to my father. Liam, on the other hand, was my safest option.

I dialed his number, put it on speaker, and slipped out of my dress to change into something comfortable for shopping. His nasal voice rang out almost instantly.

“Hey, doll. What’s going on? You’re not acting like your usual self.”

I rolled my eyes. Obviously, anyone given one year to prove herself wouldn’t exactly act like her usual self. But I had to be nice if I wanted to get what I needed.

“Yeah, I know, baby. It’s just… I have this neighbor who keeps infuriating me. Two days here, and I’ve already had enough.”

“What do you need me to do, doll? Want me to come down there?” Liam asked. I muttered under my breath, as if.

“Baby, I just need some money,” I said sweetly, chewing my nails for extra effect, even though he couldn’t see me. “My apartment is in serious need of an upgrade. The bathroom is a mess, the tub looks like it’s from the Stone Age, the sink leaks, and don’t even get me started on the bed. At this rate, I’ll die from a backache before anything else. Plus, I need groceries and kitchen utensils. Just help me out this once, and I promise I won’t ask again.”

“I’ll do anything for you, baby doll, you know that. Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll send someone from the company to look at the bathroom and handle the renovations, and I’ll transfer some money for shopping and anything else you need.”

I froze. If he sent someone from my father’s company, my father would know in a heartbeat. Too risky.

“Liam, don’t send anyone. Father will know. Just send the money, okay? I’ll handle it myself.”

“Okay, baby doll. Give me a minute.”

I ended the call with a relieved sigh.

Walking over to the window, I glanced outside. It was almost dark. I’d need help carrying things later, but I couldn’t call Maya, it was late. And I would never ask Jace for help after the humiliation he’d dealt me.

Seconds later, my phone buzzed with a credit alert. Three thousand dollars. Jackpot. Grinning, I grabbed my shoulder bag and headed out.

———————————————

The bell above the general store jingled as I pushed it open. No one was behind the counter. The place seemed completely unattended.

“Helloooo?” I called, my voice echoing through the aisles. No answer.

Fine. I’d just grab what I needed.

First stop: furniture. I tested a few beds, finally settling on a dreamy white one with a cloud-shaped headboard. Perfect. I ticked bed off my mental list and moved on to the kitchen section.

I spotted the blender I wanted, only problem, it was way up on the top shelf. Standing on my toes, stretching until my arms shook, I still couldn’t reach it. I kept trying, jumping a little like an idiot, when a deep voice startled me.

“Can I help you with that?”

I yelped, spinning around. A strikingly handsome man stood beside me. Tall, jet-black hair, and smiling eyes. Ugh. Just what this small town needed, another Adonis walking around like God’s personal joke on us mortals.

“What is it with guys in this town? Are you all cursed with beauty?” I muttered before I could stop myself.

He chuckled, the sound warm. “Wouldn’t be much of a curse, would it? Maybe we should call it a blessing.”

He easily reached up, plucked the blender from the shelf, and handed it to me. “Good choice.”

I mumbled a thanks, dropping it into my cart before following him to the counter. “It’s rude to pop out of nowhere like that. You scared me.”

“My apologies. I’m Daniel.” He began sorting my items.

“I’m…”

“Aria. I know,” he cut in.

My brows shot up. “Excuse me? How do you know my name? We’ve never met.”

He grinned. “This is Willow Creek. Everybody’s in everybody else’s business. I heard you enrolled in the college.”

Great. Just perfect. By next week, even the pigeons would know my shoe size.

“I also picked out a bed,” I said, changing the subject. “But I don’t drive. Any idea how I can get it to my apartment?”

He glanced at the clock before replying, “Almost closing time. I’ve got a truck. I can drive it over for you, help set it up.”

Relief flooded me. “Thank you, Daniel. I’d really appreciate that.”

In less than twenty minutes, everything was packed in his truck, and we were on the way.

“This is it,” I said as we pulled up. He parked in front of the building. My eyes immediately landed on Jace’s motorcycle parked right outside. It hadn’t been there earlier. Meaning grumpy was back. Which meant I was about to take great joy in pissing him off with all the noise from unloading.

With bags piled so high I could barely see, I wobbled toward the stairs, taking each step like it was Everest. I was one step away from safety when a female voice stopped me.

“Hello, Aria.”

I peeked around the mountain of shopping bags. Standing in front of me was Lila, Jace’s girlfriend.

“Uh, hi. If you don’t mind, I’ve got my hands full here.” I swayed dangerously under the weight.

She smiled, far too sweetly, and plucked a couple of bags from my arms. “Let me help you, Aria. Why don’t you lead the way to your apartment?”

Maya’s warning rang in my head: She doesn’t play about her man. My pulse spiked.

Why the hell did Jace’s girlfriend want to help me?