Godwin's Grocery

<p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I never moved on. I tried but I couldn't. I will spend my entire life loving her even if she's determined to leave me. </strong></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>She's Juliet and I'm Romeo. </strong></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>Claire</em></strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Just when things between mom and I seem to be getting better Rose has a scare that lands her in the hospital. Mom discovers that I've been keeping Carmel a secret from her and tells me that we're not welcome at Apple Blossom B&B.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>So I pack up my bags and head to the only place I can think of that will take me and a pregnant dog in...Jax.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Of course he answers the door in just a towel with his hair damp and his chest glistening from water droplets. Thankfully I regain my senses and ask him for a place to stay while I sort out my life. He's hesitant but agrees.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>His only condition: I work my room and board off at his pub.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Which seemed easy enough. Until I see just how popular he is with the ladies and I hate that those pesky twinges of jealousy rise up in my chest when I see him enjoying that attention just a little too much.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I'm angry at my mom and I'm angry with Jax. One drunken night I do the unthinkable. I ask Jax if his lips feel the same as they did when we were dating as teens.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>His gaze turns dark as he stares at me and asks Do you want me to kiss you Claire?</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I know I should say no but I don't. Now everything has changed but I'm still the same Claire with all the issues I that had before.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I know how our story ends. I've lived it before. Fate doesn't want us together. Ever.</span></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>Juniper</em></strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I'm determined to put my life with Steve behind me. He was my past and I'm ready to focus on my future. Mom and dad? They aren't so convinced.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Sure they offer to let me work at Godwin's Grocery. It's a simple job that lets me get out of the house and focus on healing. But I wonder if it's just a way for my parents to keep tabs on me.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I haven't told them what happened with Steve. My black eye speaks volumes all on its own. I know they want to know what happened. Especially since he's a Proctor: the wealthiest family in town. But that's a road I don't want to go down...</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Until Steve calls me. He's sorry for what he did and he wants to talk. We'd been together for so long that I agree. It's the least I can do.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Mom and dad don't want me to go but I'm an adult I can make these decisions on my own. Until mom suggests that I take the new hire with me. His name is Boone and he looks like he belongs on the battlefield not stocking shelves.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Not wanting to start a fight I agree. But when Boone doesn't leave my side my parents plan starts to unfold. In the small town of Harmony Island they found me a bone fide bodyguard.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>I'm annoyed and I let Boone know it. I'll be fine. My future doesn't include Steve until...it does.</span></p><p></p><p></p>