The possibility that my promise to kiss him if he won was what drove him to wield that ax like Thor is almost enough to make me forget what happened before that.Almost.Because two entire milliseconds might’ve passed between when Dylan and I panted into each other’s mouths in that mud pond and him gluing himself to another woman. And not just any woman—the one I was meant to spend time with to help the store from being seized by the bank.
I don’t know why I even agreed to the kiss after seeing him with Sunny today. He put me on the spot with his seductive smirk and persuasive stare. But the truth is that I’m pissed off. Which is why when the wood-chopping judge holds up Dylan’s trembling arm to declare him the winner, I let my bashful smile fade, back away from the barrier, then edge through the cheering onlookers to find Ruby.
The second I spot her sitting with Dad on a bench over near the town park, I practically become airborne as I race toward the people who aren’t a danger to my heart.
Dad is sitting forward, elbows to thighs, and Ruby’s softly rubbing his lower back.
“Everything okay?” I ask, frowning.
Dad winces. “Back’s not doing good.”
“Told you not to do the samba show,” I joke, and Ruby chuckles. I sit on Dad’s other side and gently tap his knee. “I was worried all this festival stuff wouldn’t be good for your back. You should rest up at home.”
Ruby’s sympathetic eyes dart to me. “My thoughts exactly. Flynn’s already gone to get the car and bring it as close as possible. We’ll take Dad home.”
I want to offer to go with them, but I can’t. Someone has to pack up our booth now that the festival’s over and get everything back inside the store and prepped for tomorrow. A wave of tiredness makes my shoulders slump, but I force the foggy feeling away. “I’ll come over to Dad’s later when I’ve packed everything up.”
Ruby passes me a grateful smile. “I’ll make Mom’s spaghetti for dinner. And instead of leaving with us, I’m sure Flynn wouldn’t mind helping you pack the booth down.”
“No, don’t be silly, I’ve got it. It’s no big deal.”
“Okay,” Ruby replies, her tone unsure. “But will you text me if you want one of us to come back?”
“Roger that.”
Remembering that Ruby’s going to be taking off back home tomorrow sends a sharp sting to my eyes, and I hide it by jumping to my feet. “Better get over to the booth,” I say brightly. “There’s probably a queue from here to DC of folks wanting to buy those screaming-head sculptures that secretly want to kill us all. It’s a damn shame I can’t keep them for myself.”
Dad’s laugh turns into another wince of pain, and I bend to give his weathered forehead a kiss. “Love you, champ.”
“I love you too.”
I point at Ruby. “You’re still a gray area. Might love you, might only like you… I haven’t decided yet.”
Smiling, she gives my butt a playful whack as I step past her. Before disappearing down the hill, I call out for her to please let me know if anything changes with Dad.
I pace down Second and turn onto Main, groaning under my breath at the Pinterest-perfect booth that I now have to tear down by myself. After staring at the tangle of shop wares, rustic décor, and fairy lights with my hands on my hips, I decide to begin with the upturned produce crates holding vases of dried flowers.
I’m carefully filling one of the crates with the flowers when my phone chimes from my back pocket. When I dig it out, the name on the screen confuses me for a second before my stomach dips hard.
Sexy Neighbor
I’m owed a kiss
I consider ignoring him for all of four seconds but then type out a reply. So much for kicking Dylan out of my head or giving him lip about Sunny.
I’m flattered, but I have a rule against kissing old ladies
Making fun of my age again, Little Jade? ??
Isn’t this my neighbor, Mrs. Felton?
I snort-laugh at that.
Is she sexy?
Can’t say she’s my type, but if she’s yours, I ain’t judging ????
Nope. I’d describe my type as cute and blonde.
