“You didn’t.” Which is the truth. “It wasn’t the kiss that freaked me out. The kiss was … perfect. It was something else. Something I didn’t realize until just today, in a total epiphany moment.” I lean forward, peering through the snowfall. “Oh! There’s our exit.”
He exhales as if he’s not entirely happy I changed the subject. Not that I blame him. But we can’t miss the exit. One thing about Ohio highways is that if you miss your turn you have to go approximately twenty to a million miles to the next exit to turn around.
I place a hand on his arm. “Let’s get the Vallerton, then I’ll explain everything.”
He agrees with a simple nod, and I direct him through the small town, trying not to get caught up in the wintery scenery. We pull onto Midge’s Antiques’s lot with twenty minutes to spare.
CHAPTER 21
Midge’s shopis scented with dust, cinnamon, and nostalgia. The layout is exactly how I remember. I’d visited Sugarvale often as a child, but not much recently. The last time I was here was six years ago for a summer antique show.
Beyond the sun-drenched memories with Gran, something else strikes me. “It’s busy.” Crazy packed, as if Midge thinks the maximum occupancy number is a loose estimate of her inventory and not a fire code.
Leo and I glance outside as if we somehow missed twenty other cars crowding the lot. Nope. Only a few minivans and a sedan.
Leo brushes snowflakes from my scarf. “Did they walk here?”
“I think there’s a hotel down the street.” Though I don’t recall it being a hotspot, only a small-town inn near the main thoroughfare. “I never tagged Sugarvale as a touristy place.”
“Is that Iris Junior?” A raspy voice calls from a couple of yards away.
“It’s me.” I smile and snake around people to reach the white-haired, chain-smoking, antique guru. “How are you, Midge?”
She scowls. “Getting old stinks.”
I offer a commiserating smile. “Gran used to say that.”
“Sorry for your loss, pup.” She gives a solemn nod as she moves behind the counter. “Iris was one of the best.”
“She was.”
Leo’s hand goes to the small of my back, and my pulse pounds at his sweet show of support.
Midge’s sharp gaze bounces between us. “Boyfriend?”
My neck prickles with heat. “Not exactly.”
Leo slings an arm around me and tugs me close. “I’m trying to convince her that I’m a great catch. It’s been a challenge.”
“Because she’s smart. You’re too good looking.” Midge sniffs and pins Leo with the glare she reserves for those who swap price tags. “The hot ones are cheaters.”
Leo bristles, and I place a hand on his chest since I’m still curled into him. He’s not used to Midge’s rash opinions. When I was a kid, she told me my nose was too big for my face. In my teens, she said I looked like a Vegas showgirl, though I was wearing shorts and a Snoopy tee. Midge is one of those people who says things for shock value, trying to get a riled response. “Midge, leave him alone. It’s not his fault.” Then I pat his chest with a slow shake of my head. “The poor guy can’t help his hotness. It’s his burden to bear.”
His hand skims under my coat and tickles my waist. I nearly squeal. “Anyway, we came here for?—”
“Ah, ah. First things first.” She props her elbow on the counter.
I groan. “Seriously? I’m not going to arm wrestle you.”
Leo coughs.
“For old times’ sake,” she demands.
Someone knocks me from behind, and Leo steadies me. After smiling my thanks, I adjust my purse strap, which slipped off my shoulder with the jostle. “Midge.” I address her over a coupletalking loudly about teacups. “Maybe another time. You’ve got more bodies here than a zombie movie.”
She ignores my remark and wiggles her fingers. “There’s still life in these suckers.”
Leo rubs a hand over his mouth as if it’s all he can do not to burst out laughing.
