Page 31 of Ten Kisses

The whole table responded with their agreements, and I felt like I was blushing just from all the attention. I wanted to get up and leave to go to the restroom. Vinnie's was broken up into separate dining areas, and I knew I could make my way around one corner or another and sneak away with Salem. That would certainly happen if this party wasn't about me. But it was my party, and I couldn't go sneaking away.

I sat at the table and visited with everyone while we finished our desserts. My dad paid the bill, and everyone thanked him and congratulated me. We were there for the better part of two hours.

I rode home in my parents' vehicle with my mom and dad and about five others. We were all going back to John-Michael's where we had met to go to the ceremony. I was riding in the very back seat of my mom's SUV with Sara and my five year old nephew, Ethan.

My phone dinged quietly.

It wasn't the first time I heard it go off, and I got it out of my purse to read the text. I had a few texts from friends who were thanking me for lunch and congratulating me. The most recent text was from Salem, and I smiled as I opened it.

Salem:

Congratulations! I enjoyed lunch, thanks for inviting us. I was wondering if you could still come by this afternoon. I have samples for the backsplash.

I smiled as I typed back.

Me:

So formal.

Salem:

I thought someone might be over your shoulder.

I smiled.

Me:

Nope.

Salem:

In that case, please come to my house. I'm in the shop. You said we were going to finish our contract today, and I didn't even get close to that at lunch.

My gut tightened and I felt a warm whooshing sensation in my midsection. His text was forward, and I felt hot and weak because of it. I was actually breathless and wished I had a fan. I adjusted the air conditioning vents to face me, and when that wasn't enough, I reached up and manually turned up the fans, forcing cool air blow on my face.

"Whoo, no air back here," I said, leaning up to the vents, taking in the cool air. It wasn't the coldest, but at least it was moving. I let the air hit my face for a second before sitting back.

"What was that?" Sara asked.

"I just got hot for a second."

"Not the air conditioner, the text. You were reading it and then you started laughing and then you looked like you were going to pass out."

"I did not," I said, suppressing a smile since she was probably right. "I was just hot."

"What was the text?"

"I got a text from Kat talking about graduation."

"Why do you care who's texting her?" Mom said from the front seat.

"Exactly," I agreed, looking at my sister.

"Because I was making sure it wasn't Salem Kirkpatrick. I saw him looking at her at lunch."

"Looking at her like what?" Dad asked from the front seat, suddenly interested. He adjusted his mirror to look at Sara as if waiting for her answer.

"He was staring at her," she said.

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