Page 27 of Ten Kisses

"No, no, I am barely going to the ceremony," I said. "Lunch is afterward. We're meeting at Vinnie's."

"Vinnie's? I am definitely going to that. Can me and Addie come?"

"Yes. And Salem, if he wants," I said, pointing at Salem. "And you can bring a date if you have one. My dad's a big spender for graduations, so you guys can definitely both bring dates."

Salem squinted at me a little.

I wasn't sure why he did that. I wasn't sure why he didn't play along. Mentioning both of them bringing a date would be something I would do normally. But Salem squinted at me this time. He was so handsome and irresistible when he squinted that my stomach tied in knots and I felt like I was in danger of blushing. Goodness. It must've been that kiss. Something was drawing me to Salem, more and more.

"What are you going to do with that degree?" Phillip asked.

"It'll help me with my business. I'm full steam ahead with chocolate."

"Oh yeah? Can you make a living with that, long-term?"

"It's no different than you with carpentry. If you make something that's worth buying, people will buy it."

"This is pretty worth it," Phillip said eating another piece off of the stack in his hand. "You did get a big contract with a restaurant today," he added, chewing. He turned toward the door. "I’m going home."

"Can I ask Molly to dinner at your house since she heard you mention it to me?" Salem asked.

"I was just about to, and you beat me to it," he said. "Thanks for making me look like a jerk." Phillip was joking, and we all laughed. He looked at me. "Seriously, though, you're more than welcome to come over. Addie's fried chicken is the best."

Phillip left quickly after his invitation, so I didn't bother telling him I couldn't make it. But there was just no way. I had work to do at home to clean up my mess from today and situate my new counter. Plus, I had orders to prepare for tomorrow and studying to do for my final. I didn't say any of that. I just thanked Phillip for the invitation and waved at him.

Phillip closed the door and I looked at Salem.

"You can bring the rest of that box to your brother's. I'll make you a whole new box tomorrow if you want."

"Aren't you coming to dinner?"

"No, I have to get home. I have tons of stuff to do for school and a lot of catch-up in my kitchen from today."

Salem reached out and held my hand. It was natural and easy. He simply reached out with his dusty, callused hand and wrapped it around mine.

"What is this?" I said bluntly, looking at him.

We had kissed before, but there was no handholding. This was too intimate. It made my heart feel like it wasn't even in my chest. My chest was fluttering and warm, and the feel of his hand on mine, so tender and kind… it was too much.

I took an unsteady breath and stepped back, smiling and playing it off, breaking contact because I was overwhelmed with emotion.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"It's fine. I'm just trying to make us use good judgement here. I'm just glad Phillip didn't come in two minutes sooner."

"Yeah, I know. I definitely didn't expect him to stop by just now."

Salem turned and swiped at a metal pipe that was hanging above his head and used for storing lumber. His shirt lifted up when he reached upward. He knew what he was doing. He was an attractive man, and today he was inviting me to notice it. He had hugged me, and he had reached for my hand. The attraction was so intense and the interaction was so different that it made me wonder if I might have feelings for him.

Chapter 10

Salem

~

Ten minutes later

Molly pulled out of his driveway and onto the street. He watched her from the doorway, studying her little red car as she left. It was a Honda. He knew what she drove, but now, as he looked at that car, he wondered if it was dependable and if she was comfortable in it. Did she have enough gas to get home? He found himself suddenly having protective thoughts about Molly. But then again, maybe they weren't so sudden.

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