Page 58 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

He buys a second bag of popcorn, all smiles with the elderly lady packing it. She blushes as she gives it to him.

So, the women like him.

Damn it.

The bag is spilling over with popcorn, a few kernels falling to the grass.

“I’ve got it,” Kelsey says. “You’re an actor. Follow my lead.”

Ooookay.

She takes off across the grass, gesturing with her hands. “Zach, don’t run off with your girlfriend before I find Dad—OOF!”

She runs smack into Popcorn Boy, knocking a huge amount of the contents of his bag onto the grass.

“Oh, no!” She turns to him. “I’m so sorry! I spilled your popcorn!” She looks up at him with pleading eyes, begging for forgiveness, and I swear to God she missed her calling on the screen.

But I follow her lead. “Way to go, sis. I’m late. I’ll find you in a bit.” And I take off, going only so far as a few booths before pausing and pretending to answer my phone.

“It’s okay,” Popcorn Boy says. “There was more than I expected in there anyway.”

“Can I buy you some more? I feel terrible.”

Watching her doe eyes makes me melt. Popcorn Boy is riveted. He better be.

“It’s fine.” He tilts his head. “Did your brother ditch you?”

“Yeah. It’s fine. We’re on a family trip. I’m not from here.”

“Oh? Where are you from?”

“Alabama, originally. You grow up here?”

Damn, that girl can manage a segue.

“Not quite here. Durango. But it’s close.”

“So you’re visiting, too?”

He grins at her, and I have to force myself to unclench my jaw.

“I am. My family is here as well. I guess our two crews had the same idea.”

“I guess so.” She looks at the popcorn. “I had the pickle fudge. Not my thing. How’s the popcorn?”

“I haven’t tried it. You want to?” He holds out the half-empty bag.

She huffs. “I wasn’t born yesterday. This could be terrible. We’ll take the plunge at the same time.” Her eyes sparkle as she looks at him. That’s not faking. She likes him so far.

I can’t watch.

I walk farther down, where they’re still in my field of vision but I can’t hear their every word.

This job sucks.

Chapter 19

KELSEY’SDREAM INFOUR-PARTHARMONY

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