Page 59 of How to Love a Rockstar

She ducks her head. Why is she embarrassed?

“Two hot chocolates, please,” I order despite how wonderful the weather is on this first day of May. I know Ginny loves her hot chocolate.

“I love this.” Bryan claps. “You two are adorable together.” He hands me the drinks. “I’m finally going to win a bet.”

I scowl. As much as I enjoy the gossip gals matchmaking us, I don’t approve of the corresponding betting.

Bryan wags a finger at me. “If you think your scowl is discouraging, you haven’t looked in a mirror lately.”

I hand Virginia her drink and pay him before steering us toward a bench in front of the community center where we can sit and drink our hot chocolates.

“What did Bryan mean about not seeing you lately? You loveBake Me Happy.”

Whenever I bring her a treat or a drink from the bakery, her eyes light with excitement. Which is why I do it as often as I can. Watching her eyes light with excitement is my new drug and I’m addicted.

She pushes her glasses up her nose before answering. “It’s not a big deal. I’m trying to save money is all.”

I clear my throat before I growl. I understand saving money and cutting corners to get by, but she has a good job. She should be able to afford a treat from the bakery.

“Is there anything in particular you’re saving your money for?”

“A house.” She stares into the distance. “I’ve always wanted a house of my own. Where I can choose the furniture, the decorations. Where I have control.”

There’s more to it than picking out furniture but pushing Ginny won’t get me anywhere.

“I believe in you. You’ll get your house.”

She smiles up at me. Her whole face alight with happiness. Yep. Not pushing her was the right decision.

We sit in silence enjoying our drinks until music blares from the speakers.

“Am I hearing things or is that the songZombie?” she asks.

“It is. What’s going on?”

“Let’s go check it out.”

I offer her my hand and we follow the music until we reach the town square where a large Maypole is set up. Gibson and Jett have joined in on the fun and are holding onto colored ribbons while dancing around the pole.

“Should we tell them it’s a fertility ritual?” she asks.

“It’s no fun if we don’t tell them.”

“I don’t know. It’s pretty fun watching them skip around like a bunch of deranged merrymakers.”

“Trust me. This will be even more fun.” I raise my voice and shout, “Hey, Jett.” He waves when he spots me. “How many children are you hoping to have next year?”

He stumbles. “Children?”

Jett’s afraid of having his own children. It doesn’t stop him from being a man whore, though.

I indicate the Maypole. “It’s a fertility ritual.”

He squeals and drops the ribbon. He also halts in his tracks causing Gibson to run into him. They fall in a pile on the ground. Ginny bursts into laughter.

“You’re right,” she says when she catches her breath. “Telling them was funnier.”

Her smile and lips beckon me. I don’t bother trying to resist. Why would I?

---