Page 16 of Born to Make You Smile

We all said our goodbyes, and I noticed Gavin leaning in to kiss Michelle with a quick peck. Suddenly, I was overcome with an intense jolt of discomfort deep down in the pit of my stomach. It was a feeling of possessiveness, of someone encroaching on my territory.

These jealous feelings were ridiculous. Awful. Impossible. They needed to end immediately.

I glanced at my phone and saw a message from Ethan.

Ethan:I had a lot of fun Friday night. Thinking about that kiss ;)

His text made me smile, a good distraction from these unhinged emotions I felt for Gavin.

Me:Me too :)

I imagined kissing Ethan again. The feel of his smooth, warm lips and skilled tongue. Then I thought about taking things a bitfurther. Hands wandering. Clothes off. My stomach wobbled. I wasn’t sure why even the idea of becoming more physical with him made me uncomfortable.

***

After the guests went home, I hung around in the kitchen to help clean up and wash dishes. I loved the Brinley kitchen, with its warm white cabinets, the cozy peninsula, and the best part—the large window to the backyard, which showcased the peach tree to perfection as if it were in a picture frame.

Gavin came up beside me, close enough that I could sense his body heat. “Grace, you can go home. Don't fret over the mess.”

“It’s all right. It’s no trouble at all.” I glanced at him, then continued my focus on washing.

“Let me help you, at least.”

He grabbed a tea towel to dry off some platters and dishes I had washed.

“Didyouenjoy yourself? You spent so much time on the go. I didn’t see you sit down once. I hope you know it's not expected of you to always be on duty.”

“Definitely. You know me, I like keeping busy. And I do it because I enjoy it.”

Lately, I preferred to stay occupied. A busy mind didn’t have time to focus on other things. Like bills and debt.

I proceeded to scrub and rinse the baking dish that held the pasta bake, but remnants of it were stubborn.

“Your scones were delicious, as usual. Not one left. And this cake. I can’t believe you made this from scratch,” he said, glancing at the more than half-eaten cake on the counter. Ibaked a triple-layer strawberry-and-lemon cake with fluffy pink vanilla frosting, covered in candied lemon slices.

“I hope it was good. I didn’t get a chance to try it.”

“You can’t be serious!” He dropped the tea towel with a huff, then went to the cake and cut a slice. “You need to have some.”

“Gavin. It’s fine...I've had it before. And I’m washing—”

Before I could protest again, he put the cake-laden fork in front of me. Rolling my eyes, I let him slip the cake into my mouth.

He looked at me with a grin as he slowly pulled the fork out, the cool metal sliding along my lips. Something about him feeding me was strange and sensual, and tingles pierced through my belly.

Why was my body reacting like this all of a sudden?

I had to admit, the cake was delicious, and I couldn’t help but let out a little hum as I enjoyed the sweet delight. There was definitely icing grazing over my upper lip. I tried to lick it off, but it felt like I only pushed it farther up.

“Good, hey?” he asked, licking his lips.

I nodded as he grabbed a paper towel, then wiped my lips, then my cheeks, my forehead, and my neck.

I batted him away, laughing. “Come on, there is no way I was that messy!”

“I’m afraid you were,” he said with a straight face. “Your cheek especially.”

“My chee—”

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