Page 38 of Karma's Kiss

I flee from the living room like my life depends on it, not even caring that the call is from an unknown number. I’ll chat with a car warranty telemarketer if it means escaping that discussion.

“Hello?”

“Madison.Hey.”

Sawyer’s voice sends tendrils of warmth through me. I soften like the infatuated fool I am.

“Hi.”

“I’m around the corner from you. Just finished eating dinner at Cactus Cafe with my grandpa. You were the only thing he wanted to talk about.”

I smile, then realizing I shouldn’t be smiling because of what I decided earlier (Sawyer and I cannot—will not—be happening), I wipe it clean with a sigh. “That sounds nice. Tell him I said hi the next time you see him.”

“Can I come by and pick you up?”

“I can’t tonight. I’m busy.”

“Doin’ what?” He doesn’t sound put out, just curious.

Voices drift in from the living room. “I for one would have appreciated a little bit more fondling—”

“Book club,” I answer, wondering how much he can hear.

“You’vebeen allowed in? Heard that’s the hottest ticket in town. My aunt’s been trying to join since the ’70s.”

I laugh. “I’ve been granted temporary privileges only. Don’t tell your aunt. Anyway, aren’t you sick of me after last night?”

“No. And well…not gonna lie, I was sort of hoping there’d be a few extra cookies lying around that house…”

I grin. “Sorry to say they sold out this morning.”

“All right, I’ll take you as a consolation prize.”

I flush from head to toe and turn my back toward the living room just in case anyone’s looking in at me.

“I really can’t tonight.”

“Is my grandma there?”

“Yes, and she brought her pigs in a blanket.”

He groans. “Come let me in.”

“You’rehere?!”

DING DONG.

“Now if that’s Marie Claire again, I’m not above using some foul language to get our point across,” Laura says.

I walk into the living room with the phone still pressed to my ear and tell the group, “That won’t be necessary. It’s just your grandson, Lolly.”

I continue into the foyer and open the front door to find Sawyer standing on the other side, phone still pressed to his ear as well.

He smiles a devastating smile. “Hey there.”

I shake my head and end the call. “You’re about to get your butt chewed out. You should have seen what they did to a woman who tried to barge in earlier.”

“Sawyer!” Lolly calls from behind us, pure elation evident in her voice. “Come on in, hun. I have your favorite pigs in a blanket over here.”

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