Page 34 of Wine Whiskey & Lipstick

“No, really. I can’t. I have a phobia.”

Selah immediately stopped prodding Dillyn until Palmer and Cat spoke simultaneously, “No, she doesn’t.”

Selah began to pull Dillyn’s arm gently. “C’mon. Summer’s Angels Foster Home could use the money.”

It was a good cause. Shit.Dillyn had to kiss for the cause. Didn’t she? As Dillyn stepped up to the booth to see her cowboy, her stomach dropped. She had avoided him most of the day.Just my luck.Dillyn stood face-to-face with Ben Cash.

For a split second, Dillyn could see the surprise on his face before it returned to a blank mask.

Dillyn was sure he didn’t want to kiss her just as much as she didn’t want to be kissed.What am I supposed to do? The entire town was watching. Dillyn wanted to drop in the nearest hole.Maybe it won’t be so bad. She hated being the center of attention. She preferred to blend into the background. Instead, Dillyn stood in front of Ben, frozen and full of anxiety, wondering what to do with her hands.

Ben frowned. Dillyn did not want to kiss him. It was a slight hit to his ego, especially whenhedidn’t want to kissher.

He spoke quietly so that she was the only person who could hear. “I’ll make this quick.”

Her eyes widened as she swallowed hard.

Ben leaned forward.

Dillyn’s heart was already beating fast, and now it was about to burst out of her chest. Her face was flushed, and her body became as rigid as a board. Dillyn’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. She felt as if she were about to have a full-on panic attack.

Dillyn felt the heat of his breath tickle her upper lip as it hovered close but not yet touching.

Ben frowned. He realized something else was going on other than her displeasure at not wanting to kiss him. Then Ben remembered her phobia. He spoke softly as if talking to Whisper. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

Dillyn nodded before Ben pressed his lips gently against hers. All the breath left her body as her eyes fluttered closed.

His lips were warm and soft, gentle. Ben and Dillyn’s kiss lasted no longer than three seconds. It was the opposite of Palmer and Lucas.

Ben pulled back. Concern was evident in his eyes. “You’re okay.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Dillyn could barely hear him over the roar from the audience. She was so embarrassed. Dillyn cleared her throat and stepped back. “I-I’m fine.” Her emotions were scattered everywhere. Dillyn quickly pivoted and navigated her way through the crowd and back to her friends.

As Ben watched Dillyn almost run away, he wondered what ghosts were chasing her.

Chapter 15

Dillyn wanted to go home. She walked back toward her friends with her arms wrapped tightly around her body. “Are you ladies ready to go?”

“How was it?” Cat asked.

“What?” Dillyn played dumb. She didn’t have an answer.

“This kiss? How was Ben’s kiss?” Palmer pushed.

Dillyn shrugged. “I don’t know.” She tried to keep it light. “Aren’t all kisses the same?” Dillyn didn’t want to sort through the emotions roiling within her.

Palmer was disappointed. She had hoped there were some sparks between them. Cat was also disappointed. She wanted to see her friend wake up from the nightmare of her marriage to Steven.

“I’m ready to leave.” Dillyn was emotionally drained. “We’ve been here long enough. We’ve most certainly given everyone something to talk about.”

“Before we go, we made a promise.” Palmer reminded her. “We still have to talk to Selah about a job. Are we all still in agreement about making her our assistant?”

Dillyn ran her hands up and down her arms. “Umm . . . yes. Of course. Let’s get this over with. Where is she?”

“Buzzing around. To be honest, I’m pretty impressed with her skills.” Cat glanced about. “She might be a real asset.”

“I’m sure she had some help, but this is a big party. It’s well organized.” Palmer agreed. “We can’t leave until we have that conversation.”

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