Page 40 of Kiss and Tell

“Yeah. Jesus.” Miles’s phone pinged, but he ignored it.

“You gonna check your texts?” Joey asked when Miles didn’t pull out his cell.

He shrugged.

“Rhiannon still texting?”

He nodded. He hadn’t planned to mention her texts to Joey, but his phone had been on the kitchen table yesterday when she’d sent another one. Joey picked it up to hand it to him, scowling when he saw her name and realized it was an ongoing thread.

He wasn’t sure if Joey was upset because he thought Miles was caving or—knowing his friend—mad that Miles wasn’t focused on pursuing Lucy with him.

“Miles,” Joey started.

“It’s just a few friendly texts, Joey. I’m not starting things up with her again.”

Fortunately, Joey was in a good mood, thanks to their upcoming date—no, not date,dinner—so he grinned when he said, “I’m not sure how you can start things up with Rhiannon when we’ve found our girl right here on this mountain.”

Miles rolled his eyes. “Keep it up and I’m staying in tonight.”

Joey laughed, gripping Miles’s shoulder. “Empty threat. It’s our last night. There’s no way you’d miss out on spending it with Lucy.”

As he spoke, Joey’s smile faded, unhappy with the prospect of leaving tomorrow.

“No one is dying, Joe. Tonight isn’t the end if you don’t want it to be. There’s Zoom and FaceTime and texting. Plus, we have that holiday hiatus from filming between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can come back then if you want.”

Joey perked up, realizing Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away. “You’re right. We can come back.”

“Pretty sure I didn’t say anything about me.”

“You’ll come back too.” Joey rose when headlights shone through the front window. Lucy was picking them up in her car for the trip down the mountain.

Miles didn’t bother to continue the argument. Joey was a headstrong motherfucker when it came to getting his way. Not that it mattered because once Miles left this mountain tomorrow, he wasn’t coming back. If Joey and Lucy were meant to be, they’d find a way…as a couple.

Joey pulled on his lightweight coat, then opened the door. There was a nip in the air tonight. Miles grabbed his leather jacket, following. Lucy waved from the car.

Joey claimed the passenger seat, so Miles climbed in the back.

“Where are you taking us?” Joey asked.

“There’s this awesome little French restaurant on Main Street,” she replied.

For the rest of the trip to town, Lucy entertained them with stories of Gracemont’s first families. Apparently, some of the local families had been living in the small town “since God was a baby,” according to Lucy. Miles chuckled at the expression.

“Oh shit,” Joey said, pointing when they hit the city limits. The sidewalks were crawling with parents and kids, all venturing from house to house. “I forgot it was Halloween.”

Lucy slowed down, just in case any kids decided to dart across the street. “Obviously, we don’t get any trick or treaters at the farm, so whenever my sisters and I get the desire to participate, Edith Millholland lets us sit on her front porch with bowls of candy to hand out. Miss Edith lives in a huge house toward the end of Main Street. It’s too big for just her, so she rents out rooms. She’s a sixth-generation Gracemont local and a real hoot.”

She took a right at the next stop sign, then pointed. “Here we are. Café Des Amis.”

There was a small parking lot behind the restaurant, which looked like it had been a home somewhere in the past before it was renovated into a French restaurant.

“I called ahead,” Lucy said as they got out of the car. “Not that reservations are usually needed, but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.”

“Lucy!” an older woman called out as soon as they walked inside, approaching them.

“Hello, Bridget,” Lucy replied, turning to them. She introduced them to the woman, who was also the owner.

Bridget spoke with a soft, lilting French accent. “I was delighted when Lucy called earlier to tell us she was bringing you in. My husband is in the kitchen cooking, but I’m sure he will stop by the table at some point to meet you. He started watching the show when Rex told him you would be coming to film at Rain or Shine Brewery. He’s hooked. I must apologize to you both now, but he bought a magazine with the two of you on the cover, and he was hoping to get it signed.”

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