All That I Desire by Francis Ray

face. “You
     certainly have a way with words.”
    His hands gently rested on her tense shoulders. “I’ll never lie to you. You deserve
     to have it straight. I gave it to you because I know you can handle it. I know what
     kind of strength you have. You won’t buckle or let that bastard make you afraid to
     live your life. You’re a warrior.”
    Her eyes shut for an instant while she gathered her strength. “Thank you for reminding
     me of that.” Her chin lifted. “Let’s find a grocery store.”
    *   *   *
    “Maybe we should order something for takeout.”
    “I want to grill.” Skylar craned her neck, trying to spot an open parking space in
     the crowded parking lot of the large grocery store. People were going into the store
     and cars were in front of and behind them. “Let’s try over there.”
    “We’ve been around twice already,” Rio said but he continued down the aisle in the
     direction she’d pointed.
    “Hail Mary, full of grace, help us find a parking space.” Skylar leaned forward in
     her seat. “It’s worked in the past when I’ve been desperate.”
    “Have you thought what it will be like on the inside if it’s this busy out here?”
     He turned the corner in front of the store. People were coming out, but seemingly
     none on their aisle.
    “I want to grill,” she repeated, then sat up and pointed. “Brake lights up ahead.”
    Rio flicked on his signal and slowed. “I see it.”
    “Told you,” she said with satisfaction as the car backed out. Then she grasped his
     arm as a car coming from the opposite direction—the wrong way—sped up.
    Rio whipped into the spot. The man in the small sports car laid on his horn, gesturing
     wildly with his hand. Rio ignored him. “Mark this down because it’s not happening
     again.”
    He glanced in his rearview mirror to make sure the jerk had continued on, then got
     out to open Skylar’s door. She met him at the back bumper. “Thank you, Rio. I’ll be
     as fast as I can.”
    He grunted, snagged a shopping cart between two cars, and continued toward one of
     the store’s three double doors. Inside, people were waiting for carts and the manager
     on the loudspeaker was asking for available staff to retrieve them. People were in
     front of the deli, the flower shop, the restaurant, the gelato stand. Every cashier’s
     line was open.
    “Welcome to The Market,” a young man said, handing them a circular.
    Skylar took the folded paper. “Is it always this busy?”
    “Saturday and Sunday are our busiest days. Big game on TV tonight and tomorrow. Plus
     we have great prices.”
    “Thank you.”
    “This way.” Rio headed past the deli line.
    “I should have asked where the meat and bread aisles were located.”
    “Bread to the left. Meat on the other side.”
    “Have you been here before?” Skylar asked, hurrying to keep up with him. He wheeled
     expertly around people and carts.
    “I see the bread. Overhead sign for meats.”
    Skylar finally saw the bread, but had to squint before she could read the overhead
     sign for meat. “I’m glad my teachers in high school didn’t have your vision.” She
     pulled four packages of hot dog buns, four packages of sesame seed hamburger buns,
     and three loaves of bread from the shelf and stacked them in the back of the cart.
    “Aren’t you overdoing it?”
    “I told you I wanted to cook for your men.”
    He stared at her a moment. “Grab another package of each.”
    Smiling, she did as he requested, then stepped beside him. “Thank you.”
    “You aren’t the wandering-off type when you shop, are you?”
    “No, but I could stick my hand in your back pocket if you really want me close,” she
     told him.
    “Then we’d have the same problem we had when you put your hand someplace else.”
    She looked up at him through a sweep of her lashes. “I’ll just have to wait until
     we’re not planning on going out.”
    “There’s your meat.”
    She lifted herself on tiptoe and