Page 107 of The Charm of You

The little minx uses the tip of her finger to draw circles over my hand. “You’re lying.”

“So what if I am?” I cock a brow.

Her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “It just challenges me to think of… certain ways to get the truth out of you.”

We move forward again. “And have you come up with anything?” My jaw tightens, and I’m officially treading into dangerous territory. This is not the place to let this devious woman prop my dick on display.

But I can’t help myself, not when it comes to her.

She opens her mouth, and I lean in, hanging on to her every word and movement like it’s a rope keeping me from falling over a cliff. Right when I’m about to get an answer—a good one too—we’re interrupted.

The chatterboxes of Sapphire Creek skip up to Caroline and tug on her arm, separating us. Matilda gushes over Scarlett’s incoherent babbling, going on as they do, and I swallow back curse after curse.

A raindrop taps the tip of my nose, but there were no storms on the radar when I checked earlier. I like to be prepared, but I also like natural escape plans that involve me leaving due to rain instead of my antisocial tendencies, as Addie calls them.

Much like the me in high school, big gatherings like these aren’t my thing, and after dealing with all the people at the parade today, I’m ready for a break, especially if it involves getting Caroline alone.

“Your speech today spoke to my soul. Hashtag relatable.” Matilda clutches her chest.

Scarlett follows it up with “You should start your own podcast. None of the ones I listen to hold a candle to your life and everything about you. You’re freaking goals.”

“Yes!” Tweedle Dee squeals. “You’d have a zillion subscribers in no time, and?—”

“Can you two use English?” I cut in. “Remember that?”

Matilda shoots me a stare. “Don’t be a troll.”

“Excuse me?” I furrow my brow.

Scarlett pipes up. “I figured you’d finally be in a good mood these days.” She nods suggestively toward Caroline, who dips her head. “But once a grump, always a grump, I guess.”

Why did I open my fucking mouth? I usually know better.

“I’m just going to get us some popcorn while you three finish your riveting conversation.” I throw them a tight, sarcastic smile and step up to the counter for our snacks and a couple of drinks.

When I turn around, I find Caroline, Scarlett, and Matilda still chatting on the edge of the line, their hands waving around like they’re coordinating a new dance.

The younger girls talk with their hands a lot, and while I might be irritated by it, Caroline smiles back. She seems perfectly content. It’s how she is with everyone, like she inherently fits in wherever she goes and with whomever she’s speaking to.

She steals a coy glance at me, and my steps slow, allowing me the opportunity to drink her in.

Matilda and Scarlett finally scurry away, and Caroline meets me halfway as the announcer’s voice sounds above us.

I hand her a red-and-white butter-stained bag of popcorn, and two more raindrops thump my forehead and cheek.

“Ready to have some fun?” She pops a kernel into her mouth and licks her lips.

I snake my free arm into her blazer and around her waist, then yank her toward me. I draw her lips between my teeth and chase the salty taste on her tongue like sucking on a lime after a tequila shot.

In my periphery, lightning strikes, and it’s followed by a crackle of thunder.

Kids cry from the bleachers above, and frantic parents hurry to beat the impending shower. The announcers speak over the chaos, but it’s all muffled. Raindrops hail from the sky with a vengeance, and within seconds, puddles form along the gravel lot behind the field.

Caroline yelps and grasps my arm to follow everyone else toward the high school gym. Many race past it and seek solace in the cafeteria, where I’m sure our mothers will be peeved to quit their poker game and serve the chili early.

I take two steps behind Caroline and stop when I notice the window to the concession stand is still open, and the lights are off. It’s been abandoned.

“Hang on,” I call out over the splashing and thudding of rain. I intertwine my fingers with Caroline’s and lead her toward the stand, but the door is locked.

---