Page 61 of That Kiss

“I don’t mind and I completely understand. But no, she said it was obvious after watching us in the beer tent for a few seconds.” We both laugh just as Celeste rounds the corner.

“Oh, thank God,” she sighs, “I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“Already taking care of everything, Aunt Celeste. No need to panic. I promise I’ll give them a show.” He winks at her then me, giving me one last quick kiss before walking out on the stage.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the annual Fall Fest Bachelor Auction!” The crowd goes wild, a smile spreading wide across my face as I watch him.

I still feel a tiny knot in my stomach when I think about Camilla. I didn’t ask Decker for the details of how their conversation went, or how things were left between them. I’m not sure if it’s just my insecurity rearing its ugly head, but the worry that maybe he’s not fully over her still lingers in my gut.

“Tonight we are going to present to you five strapping bachelors who will have you wanting to empty out those purses and wallets for a chance at one magical date with them. And as always, folks, remember: Tonight isn’t just your chance to let loose and spend your money, it’s also your chance to support an expansion of our local community center.” There are several hoots and hollers. “Every penny that we raise tonight will be going toward the new continuing-education STEM wing we’re adding, so don’t hold back on those bids.”

“Hey!” a woman shouts from the crowd. “Why aren’t you in the auction this year?”

“That’s a very good question, Mrs. Silvio.” He points toward her, walking to the edge of the stage while casually glancing over at me. Suddenly, my stomach is alive with dancing butterflies. “As a lot of you know, I have been a bachelor on the auction block the last several years, but recently, there’s been a change in my life.” He turns toward me, holding his hand out. “I’m no longer a single man, ladies and gentlemen, and if I have it my way,” I nervously step out from my dark backstage corner as he steps toward me and pulls me out further until I’m standing next to him, “I’ll never be single again.”

This time when the crowd cheers, he drops the mic, grabbing me and tipping me back as his lips find mine. He kisses me passionately for several seconds before lifting me back to my feet. I cover my face with my hands as the cheering only grows louder with shouts of Congrats! and About time! echoing around us.

He reaches down, grabbing the microphone from the floor as I turn to walk off the stage. My legs are still shaking like a baby deer’s, a smile still stretched so wide, my cheeks are starting to hurt.

“And on that note, let’s meet our first bachelor of the night. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Teller Danvers!” The bachelor’s entrance song of choice blares through the speakers as Teller prances out in a flannel shirt and some tight Levi’s, with his signature black cowboy hat. “Standing at six-foot-one,” Decker pauses and looks over at Teller, “so we’re allowed to lie on these. Okay . . .” He shakes his head and the crowd roars with laughter.

Teller rips open his shirt, flexing his abs before dropping down to do several push-ups as Decker reads off his accomplishments.

“I think you owe us a serious explanation,” a voice says behind me.

I jump, clutching my chest at the voice. I turn to see Brooklyn and Dolly staring at me. Their arms are crossed over their chests, frowns firmly in place.

“I’m sorry, I . . .” The women lunge toward me, laughing and embracing me in a full-body hug.

“Are you kidding me?” Dolly squeals. “We are so happy for you!”

I knew it was going to be like this once they found out—peppering me with a million questions about when it started, how it started, and every other detail in between.

“I promise we will have a girls’ night soon, because there are so many twists and turns to fill you guys in on, it’s going to take a bottle or two of wine—and probably several vision boards and perhaps a PowerPoint—to get through all the details.”

Dolly pretends to faint. “Exactly the kind of night I’ve been needing!”

“But don’t make us wait too long,” Brooklyn adds, glancing over her shoulder as Ranger walks toward us.

“Hey, Sis.” He gives me a wink, both of the ladies gasping.

“Oh God, you guys are ridiculous. Don’t make it weird now,” I tell them.

“Weird?” Ranger steps over to me and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Nothing weird about it, Juney. You’re just finally where you’re meant to be, and we couldn’t be happier for you two.”

I snake my arm around his waist, hugging him against me. “Oh, also,” I look up at him, “I owe you an apology. Well, all three of you, actually, because I did lie to you about having a boyfriend.”

Ranger doesn’t miss a beat. “We all knew you were lying, Juney,” he chuckles, “we’re just glad you both finally saw what was right in front of you.”

By the time the auction has wrapped up, most of our friends have gone home with their kids, with only both sets of our parents lingering behind. I glance up at Decker as we walk toward where they’re standing on the dance floor, the slow strum of the band’s guitar bringing the energy of the night down.

“Oh boy, here we go.”

“Just relax, baby, and prepare for about a dozen questions about grandbabies.” Decker squeezes me against him, his hand splayed against my hip bone.

“There’s my boy,” Brennan, Decker’s mother, says as he leans down to kiss her cheek.

“Hey, Mama, how’s your knee doing?” We both glance down at the large black brace that surrounds her knee. “Dad out here spinning you around the dance floor already?”

---