Page 96 of Just Act Natural

A kid riding by makes a loud “Woo!” sound, interrupting us.Thank you for your service, volunteer kissing police.We draw apart, and I suddenly remember just how many families are out on the trails today. How many kids got an eyeful of us? We kept it PG-13, but barely.

Grant doesn’t let me go far. Paying no attention to our potential audience, he tips his forehead down to meet mine. “Make no mistake, princess. You affect me on a molecular level. If I seem calm, it’s only because it’s taking all my focus not to pull you into my arms to kiss you again.”

Hello, cinnamon roll with extra spice.

“You don’t have to focus allthathard.”

“Then I’ll scale it back.” He grins down at me, and leans in for another quick kiss to my mouth. “You are perfect exactly as you are. No filters. Just you.”

I kiss him again before I do something stupid like cry.

THIRTY

LILA

Why doesthe universe hate me? The Fourth Fest is the most important event of my summer, a day for me to show off my event planning talents and prove Sunshine can trust me with the tourism position. It’s my day to shine. Instead, all I want to do is curl up on the sidewalk and moan.

Other than that, it’s going great.

When I came downtown early this morning to run our final checks for the parade, I thought the oppressive heat was just an uncharacteristically brutal July fourth. I chalked my tumbling stomach up to nerves. I didn’t have much explanation for how badly my skin ached, but I ignored it as much as I could.

When I finally noticed I was the only one sweating through their clothes, I started to catch on that it wasn’t just a hot summer morning. The call is coming from inside the house. Something always goes wrong on event day. I’ve just never been the obstacle before.

It doesn’t matter. I have to get through this. Tonight, after the fireworks are over and I collapse into bed, I can let myself be sick. Until then, I’ve got to power through.

Like a boss, my internal cheerleader says. She’s too tired to lift her pom-poms, but it’s the thought that counts.

It’s fine. Everything’s going to be fine. It’d be cool if the street would stop spinning, but as long as it doesn’t interfere with the parade floats, I can live with it.

I have a small group of volunteers helping me coordinate the parade participants and make sure everyone’s lined up and heading out on time. The lead-up to the official route is a rattling chaos of marching bands, classic cars, emergency vehicles, and floats created by various local organizations, but I barely see them. It’s taking everything I have to stay standing upright.

I managed to snag a patch of shade for my supervisory duties. So. Technically still a win. My head throbs and my skin hurts and my mouth is Sahara dry. But getting a drink of water at one of the hydration stations feels like a dangerous game to play with my stomach. I close my eyes and pray for a miraculous healing.

The blessing will come. Any second now.

Any. Second.

When the last firetruck heads onto the parade route, I take a minute to sag against the closest building. Brick is not the most comfortable material to rest on, but it’s this or the curb. I promised Grant I would meet him after the parade, but getting to him feels like Frodo tasked with taking the ring to Mordor.

Grant would like that little simile.

I need time to recover, but every minute that goes by amplifies one of my symptoms. The day isn’t over just because the parade is. I’ve got to check in on the market vendors and make sure everything’s going smoothly at the music pavilion. Get in touch with volunteers and sponsors. Greet people with a smile. Not to mention I planned to oversee the fireworks tonight. I’ve got to suckit up.

Unfortunately, I have lost all ability to suck.

Or something. My brain isn’t functioning right.

“What a parade, Lila.”

I straighten and flash a huge “I’m not sick at all” smile. Mayor Martinez has found my sulking spot. “Did it look good out there?”

Back here, it was a lot of practice baton-twirling and exhaust fumes, but everyone lined up on Sunshine’s downtown streets surely had a different experience.

“Might be the best I’ve ever seen. Easily twice the size of last year’s. You and your sister have brought new life to Sunshine’s events calendar.” He looks me over, and his enthusiasm fades. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I just got overheated in the sun. Thank you.” Obviously I’m not going to tell him that my internal organs are liquefying as we speak. That would be unprofessional.

“After seeing what you’ve done with the parade, I can’t wait to find out what you have in store for us in your tourism presentation next week.”

---