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Gabby's POV

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I was at the grocery store shopping with Ryan. I didn't tell him what happened with Chase because I'm too fucking embarrassed to do so. As Ryan fills my cart up with healthy food for the week, I'm standing with the freezer door wide open to the different variations of Ben & Jerry's.

"No, Gabby, if you want ice cream, let me pick out a good option for you."
"Fuck off, Blaney, I want the good stuff." He ignored me like he always does when I want something and instead picked out something with less calories.

"Not going to fight me on this one?" I shrugged, eyeballing the light cookies and creme little square bits.

"No, they actually look good." Ryan shook his head and laughed.

I pouted throughout our whole shopping trip and if Ryan noticed, he didn't say anything, which I was grateful for. I knew I would have to tell him about Chase eventually, especially if I was going to stop going to the gym, but I didn't want it to be today. Or at least, I hoped it wouldn't be today because the very man who caused me to feel this way just walked into the store looking fine as hell.

Men should not be allowed to wear gym clothes outside of the gym, let alone someone who looks like Chase Elliott in those stupid tight sweatpants and a super loose muscle shirt that showed off everything.

Why even bother wearing a shirt?

"If you're done staring?" Ryan walked into my eyesight and gave me a look that I was all too familiar with.

"I wasn't staring." I countered, disappearing behind a giant stack of crackers, but even from here I could see him grab a basket and go right to the produce section. "Let's just go." I pushed the cart to the closest checkout, but then I heard his familiar Georgian accent and I got sick to my stomach.

"Hey man! Didn't expect to see you at this end of town. Whatcha doing here?"

"Just helping Gabby here with meal prep." I swallowed hard, hearing the two men behind me exchange greetings, but there was no mistake in the gasp I heard.

"Gabriella?" I looked over my shoulder and the look on Chase's face was one of shock like he never expected to see me again.

I just rolled my eyes and looked over to Ryan, completely ignoring him, "you ready, Ry?"

"Can't keep the lady waiting! See ya at work, bro." Ryan clapped Chase on his shoulder who was now looking at us in confusion.

I did my best to ignore Chase as he stood there watching us checking out. I could see him in the corner of my eye running his hand through his hand and then he finally walked away.

"Do you want to explain what that was all about?" Ryan asked me as we were walking out of the store.

"Nope!" I popped the hatch to my car and started to load in the groceries.

"You know, I'll find out eventually."

"You can try, Blaney, but I'm not going to say anything." Ryan huffed and ran off to return the cart. I slammed the hatch and turned around only to jump right out of my skin.

"Gabriella, please, talk to me." I held my hand over my erratic beating heart as Chase stood right where Ryan just was. I then looked to see where Ryan was only to see him flirting with some girl across the parking lot. Thanks a lot, Ry.

"I have nothing to say to you," I pushed Chase out of my way but he didn't budge.

"Please. I need to apologize for what you heard."