Page 35 of Sweet Poison

Chapter 20

Montana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQW7I62TNOw

-Islands in the Stream-

I was coming out of the bakery carrying a box full of mini cherry muffins when I ran into Jesse Craven.

“Hey, Jesse,” I greeted.

“Shall I help you with that?” he asked, moving forward to take the box out of my hand.

“Thanks, but it’s not heavy.”

“You alright?” he asked, shifting from one booted foot to another.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Send my regards to your ma,” I said and moved on.

“Montana,” he called.

I turned back. “Yeah?”

He adjusted his cowboy hat uncomfortably. “Will you be my date to the Summer Festival dance?”

The sun was in my eyes and my dad was waiting in the truck for me. “Sorry, Jesse, but I don’t think I’m going to the dance this year.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Look, I got to go. Dad’s waiting for me.”

“Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He tipped his hat at me. “See you around.”

“See ya.”

I walked back to the truck and Dad looked at me funny. “Why was that kid sniffing around you?”

I carefully balanced the box on my lap. “He wasn’t sniffing around me.”

“Well, what did he want?” he asked grumpily.

“He asked if he could take me to the Summer dance, okay?”

“What did you say?”

“I said I didn’t think I was going.”

“Good,” he replied heartily.

I turned to look at him curiously. “I thought you liked the Cravens and their boys. Don’t you like Jesse?”

He swung the truck out into the street. “I like him well enough. He’s just not good enough for you.”

I wound the window down and hot wind rushed into my face. “Apparently, no one’s ever going to be good enough according to you.”

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