Page 5 of Mr. July

Jake

I spared a glance at Liberty.The auction was set to start again after their small intermission, and I wanted to get the hell out of there. This prick almost needed a fist to his nose on principle. Who treated women like he did, and what type of guy actually thought it was okay? No means no, bro.

Liberty gave me an uneasy smile. “Well, Lewis. I’m sure you don’t want to lose any of your precious falsies. Back up. Go away, please. We’ll see you around.”

“Goodbye, Liberty Belle.” Lewis walked away without another word.

Thank fuck!

Falsies? The guy had dentures? Poor motherfucker. He didn’t have anything going for him, and had he not been such a clueless prick, I might have felt sorry for him. After all, we all needed love. “Come on, Liberty. Let’s head back to my condo. There’s something big I want to show you.”

Like I hoped she would, Liberty burst out laughing at my lame sexual joke. Thank God she wasn’t one of those uptight girls who didn’t have a sense of humor. Sure, I’d defend all women’s honor, but there was something about the easygoing ones that could joke about anything that tied me up.

“Sure. But I promised you a funnel cake. Let’s eat, and then we can go.”

“That was an actual promise and not fluff?” I teased.

“It was, but who can resist funnel cake?”

I couldn’t argue with that. Once I was dressed and we were safely away from the tent and other people, I released her hand. “You don’t have to tell me, but I’m dying to know how you wound up with a guy like that.”

“His mom does a lot for my church. Our church. She was always so sweet about wanting to introduce me to her son—who never went to our church at the time because he lived out of town. Anyway, I agreed to go out with him blindly.”

“That was a mistake.”

“No kidding. What started out as my feeling bad for his mom and going out with him turned into a few dates, and then I realized my life was out of my control. He was not what I wanted.”

“What do you want in a guy?”

Liberty laughed. “It’s a mystery.” We’d walked to the area of the park where all the food trucks were. She pointed at a funnel cake sign. “It’s the least I could do for you for helping me with Lewis. What would you like?”

What?“You mean you aren’t going to spend the night with me?” I hadn’t meant it to sound like that, but when her eyes sparkled, I wanted her to stay the night with me like that.

“I was in a bind. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even ended up in the tent. I was trying to hide.”

“You found more than you bargained for. But at least I’m an excellent catch.” I twisted my torso left and right, showing off.

“I appreciate what you did for me.”

“Anytime. The guy is a douchebag.”

It was our turn in the concessions line, ending further conversation about whether or not she would stay the evening with me. Hey, she’d paid almost six hundred dollars. Even if it was on impulse, she might as well get her money’s worth. Besides, it hadn’t been a full-on no from her.

“I can’t eat a whole funnel cake. Let’s share. What kind do you want?”

“Do you like plain?”

Liberty laughed. “Plain is the best. We’ll take a regular funnel cake, please, and two waters.”

“Gotta stay hydrated in this heat.” I took the water bottles from the vendor while Liberty grabbed our funnel cake and some napkins. A picnic table was available, so I snagged it quickly before someone else did. “You don’t have to go back to helping the church today?”

“Nope. I’ve been there since eight.” She tore a piece of funnel cake off and opened her mouth then stuck the piece in perfectly, avoiding any powdered sugar dropping onto her lips.

“Long day ahead. What are your plans? If you aren’t going to take me up on the expensive-ass bid you just won…”

Liberty tilted her head back and giggled. I loved the way she looked when she did that. She was so wild and free. It was breathtaking. I didn’t want her to go. What if I never saw her again?

“You mean aside from praying like hell I don’t run into Lewis again?” She glanced around. “Well, I’m supposed to meet my girlfriend at the beer garden. Then we’ll be here all evening, watch the fireworks, and that’s about it. What about you?”

“My day is wide open. I wasn’t even going to come until my grandma needed help hauling some of their stuff here this morning. I did that, then she called on me for a bigger favor. Now, here I am.”

We polished off the rest of the funnel cake in silence. Every now and then, our eyes would meet, and there was an undeniable spark between us every freaking time, but neither of us said anything.

Liberty stood, and I followed her lead. She threw away the plate and tossed her water bottle in after it. “I’d better get going.”

I shoved my hands into my pockets. I’d never been in a situation where the woman was completely uninterested in me. Should I reiterate that I wouldn’t mind seeing her again? Or let it go to chance? My question was answered when her eyes darted around me. She was obviously eager to get going.

I squeezed her wrist briefly. “Sure. Well, I hope I helped you some with the crazy guy. I’d apologize for kissing you, but I’m not sorry for that. In fact, all I’ve been thinking about is the opportunity to do it again.”

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