Page 10 of Dirty Rumors

The blonde smooths back her hair as she nods. “Sure! People thought that he was running moonshine or something out there in the woods. But you can’t put moonshine in eight by ten envelopes, and that’s what Shane was always sending out, apparently.”

The other woman giggles. “How about blotter acid? That was big in the seventies, wasn’t it? You could mail that.”

They both laugh and Messy Bun shakes her head. “I don’t think so. Not their style. But something is definitely strange. Oh well. There’s always one weirdo in every family, right?”

I want to mention that people’s personal business is personal. Instead, I carefully write down every single detail, even though this is not going in my report.

We are here to study how news and general chatter travels in a small town. According to our findings at the beginning of the study, “news and general chatter” are usually good things. Or they’re pertinent to a person’s day-to-day life. Like if the grocery store was closed unexpectedly, you would change your plans.

Gossip is something else. Gossip is naughty. It’s interesting to others because someone is breaking a rule of society. The general code of conduct is not being adhered to.

And unfounded rumors… Those are the most dangerous of all, because everyone wants to know other people’s secrets. We gauge our own development and success by comparing ourselves to those around us. The more we know about them, the more we can tell about ourselves.

I don’t know what to think about these rumors about Carson. Do those women think he’s a bad guy?

Receiving a whole bunch of small packages and mailing out larger ones… I’m not sure why, but that does sound a bit sketchy. Maybe because in a town this small, if it was something socially acceptable then everyone would already know about it already.

What is he hiding? Is this a red flag?

Honestly, I shouldn’t be searching for red flags becauseI shouldn’t be dating for another four years. Whatever. I just need to get through this night, then I can decide what the hell I’m doing with my life tomorrow.

Carson had sent a text earlier that he’d pick me up at five-twenty. At five-fifteen I pay my bill, duck into the restroom to brush my hair, add a little more eyeshadow, and change my shirt to something a bit nicer that I brought with me, glad to see it hasn’t wrinkled in my bag.

When I step back into the café, there’s no missing the scarlet Ferrari parking outside. The two women are still there. Crap. I quickly walk outside, hoping that they don’t realize they were gossiping about Carson right in front of me.

I barely make it two steps out the door when he enfolds me in his arms, kissing me so hard and deep that I almost black out. I don’t care that the entire café is full of people who are probably staring at us. All I can think about is the heat of his mouth on mine and the way his huge hand feels as he cradles the back of my head while simultaneously dipping me back.

“I’ve missed you, kitten.”

His animalistic dark growl sends a low, rolling tidal wave of heat through my lower belly and down my thighs. Why does it drive me so wild when he calls me that? I want him. Need him. Need to know what this incredible man would do to me.

“So beautiful,” he murmurs against my mouth, then slowly pulls away. “There are three amazing restaurants in West Stoneburg. You can choose on the way.”

He hands me the keys and helps me adjust the seat and the mirrors. As I drive awayverycarefully, the two ladies are staring open-mouthed out the window. Maybe it has nothing to do with me. Maybe it’s just that they haven’t seen Carson with a…I’m not going to use the wordgirlfriend. “Potential romantic partner”. Yeah, let’s go with that.

I just hope that we aren’t going to become another dirty rumor in town, especially since I still have no idea what’s going to become of us.

If, of course, anything at all.

6

CARSON

Ican’t believe this is happening. An official date with the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen, who initially swore up and down that she didn’t date at all.

Nikki is breathtaking in stylish black pants and a blue top that has a thin shimmering edge along the neckline, drawing attention to the hint of exposed cleavage. I can’t stop watching her eyes, as she glances left and right at every stop or keeps her gaze firmly on the long, straight part of the road.

She chooses the Italian spot, which is perfect. We walk in and are immediately seated at a back corner table that’s dimly lit with candlelight. I pull our chairs a bit closer, so that I can take her hand or tap her knee as we chat endlessly throughout the entire meal.

Being on a date with clearly the most beautiful woman in the room causes a strange wave of emotion to wash over me. I’ve never thought about it before, but I’ve spent a lot of time in the company of just men. One of three brothers. One of the guys. Nikki makes me feel like a man in a different way. A protector. A provider. Someone with an important purpose that stretches beyond just me.

And I love it.

After finishing our meal by splitting a chocolate lava cake, my thumb brushes along her lower lip, as if there were a stray bit of chocolate there. Her tongue darts out to touch it, then she giggles so sweetly that I’m determined not to let this evening end too quickly now that Nikki is obviously becoming more relaxed around me.

She insists that I drive back, and soon we’re singing along with old country rock classics. “So, we have some options,” I begin as we get closer to town.

“Like what?”

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