Page 72 of Text Appeal

“No,” I say adamantly. “I want to hear everything you’ve got to say.”

“You do, huh?”

I nod.

“Thanks, Blue.” The warmth in his gaze is wonderful. Waking up to a morning like this, to a man like him, is magic. I would not be angry if it happened more often. Like all the time.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. I clear my throat and say, “You cooked, so I’ll clean.”

“Yeah,” he says, looking at the pan and chopping board and all the rest. “I am not going to fight you on that.”

“Smart man.” My face hurts from smiling. He watches me in silence for a moment. Long enough for me to ask, “What?”

“Nothing. I just…I like that you’re here.”

“That’s handy. I like being here.”

“Good,” he says quietly.

I stab some more food with my fork and get busy eating. It really is delicious. Even with the kale. Connor eats standing up. Leaning his denim-clad ass against the kitchen counter with his bowl and fork in hand, he has a big smile on his face while watching me eat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this relaxed and happy. Getting laid is good for the man.

As for me, being railed by him has made my heart lighter than it has been in a long time. I’m content with the state ofmy little corner of the world. This could just be us hooking up and scratching an itch. Or maybe our fake dating is morphing into something real. I don’t know. But I refuse to overthink this. Much. Guess we’ll just see where it takes us.

“Get that idiot grin off your face,” says Ava. “You look ridiculous.”

“Hello to you too.” The sun is high in the clear blue sky when I fetch my straw sunhat out of the Jeep. Along with an extremely large iced coffee. Sometimes it just takes a few hours and multiple servings of caffeine to wake up. Such is life. “Looks like we got the last two parking spots within a mile.”

“The town picnic is always popular. Where’s Connor?”

“He dropped me at home and went to run some errands for Martha and his mom.”

She nods.

A cool summer breeze rustles the leaves on the nearby trees. Maple, ash, and oak are all here. Come autumn the colors will be amazing, and I fully intend to see them. Someone’s playing live jazz in the park. That, along with the chatter of many people, fills the midday air. The fairgrounds are next to the state park that takes up most of the point. And the whole town seems to be here.

“Morning, Riley,” says Katja with a smile.

She’s wearing a red romper and black army boots. Her pale blonde hair is piled high on her head. My own choice of a simple, floaty, sky-blue sleeveless cotton mini dress with a pair of designer sneakers seems boring in comparison. As for Ava, she’s rocking a ruffled sheer beige maxi dress with matching bra andshorts underneath. All the drama. She looks great. But Katja is on a whole other level.

“Stop staring at her,” hisses Ava. “It’s bad enough in Europe when she gets recognized. I don’t need it happening here too.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry. She’s just so beautiful. It’s like looking into the sun. My eyes are dazzled.”

“Danke,” says Katja in her German accent. “Ignore her. Lack of sleep makes her extra bitchy. But don’t believe her for a minute, I adore being objectified.”

“Sorry,” I repeat.

“Love me for my mind.” Katja gives me a wink. “I am going to go find this Nicole you’ve been telling me about. Maybe she’ll let me borrow a guitar.”

A young man with an impressive moustache and a llama walks past. Not something you see every day.

Ava gives him a nod. And then sees the wide-eyed looks Katja and I are giving the animal. “Kiss a llama is always popular,” she says. “Of course, it’s not as big as the competitions. We’ve got pie eating, sandcastle building, kite flying, and oyster shucking. Along with all the music and arts and crafts contests. But kiss a llama has its fans.”

“Huh.” I nod. “What’s its breath like?”

“Not good.”

“That was a fine-looking llama,” says Katja. “I have to admit, I am tempted.”

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