Page 64 of Just One Moment

“Okay, let’s just pause for a second.Whatled to…you know.”

Ithrow my hands up in the air like it’s obvious. “Hegave me yellow rain boots.”

Shegrimaces. “Isthat a euphemism for something kinky?”

“No, you fruit loop.Heliterallygot me boots afterItold him some sob story from my childhood.Thenhe took me to the secret trail where he had a picnic set up for us.Oh, but it doesn’t end there, he just had to throw in the best orgasm of my entire life.Ugh,Jo, he’s just…”

“Justwhat?”Sheleans in closer, eagerness lighting up her face.

“He’samazing.Andthis is meant to be fake, but what the heck amIsupposed to do whenIlike my ‘fake’ boyfriend?”

“Idon’t thinkI’mqualified to help you here.BoothandLottieare usually the type to meddle in people’s relationships.”Shemust catch the pleading look on my face. “Ohjeez, okay, well, have you guys spoken about it?”

“No.”

“Ofcourse not.Well, let’s start there.Youhonestly think he doesn’t feel the same?Thepoor guy looks at you like you hold his universe in your hands.”Shepins me with a pointed stare.

There’sno denying the looks we share.Oneglimpse and the air between us suddenly becomes combustible.Asingle touch would be the naked flame that ignites it all.

“HowamIsup?—”

“IthinkUncleGraylovesJust-Quinn.Likea lot.LikeDaddyloves you,JoJo,” a small voice chirps behind us.Completelyoblivious to the fact this is a private conversation.

“Ohcrap,Iforgot she has sonic hearing,”Jowhispers, before shootingLottiea smile over my shoulder. “Hey,Lottie.Whatchadoing?”

“Yousaid my name,” she replies with a shrug and grabs a packet ofGoldfish. “UncleGrayasked whereQuinnwas.Foundher.”Shepoints at me and smiles sweetly, butIknow not to be tricked by her cuteness.

Lottieslips her hand into mine and starts tugging me out of the pantry.Iturn toJowith panicked eyes and mouth,Help.

Shechuckles and wiggles her fingers at me. “Takeit from me.Talkto one another.”

Lottieis oddly strong for a five-year-old.Shedrags me back into the hallway just asDexsteps out of the den and nearly collides with us.He’squick despite his hulking frame and he throwsLottieup and over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Caughtya, you little raccoon,” he growls and tickles her sides. “Haveyou been stealing snacks again?”

“No!No!” she squeals and tries to wiggle out of his hold.Thecrinkling coming from the inside of her pocket says otherwise.

“Hmm.Hasshe been misbehaving?” he asks me andignoresLottiecrawling all over his shoulders and head like a baby koala. “Also,Iforgot to ask during dinner, do you have a table at theFallFair?I’mbuilding some new stands forOurPlace.Ican throw you some together too.”

Imake sure he can see my lips afterGrahamexplainedDexis partially hearing impaired.

“Oh, no.Icouldn’t get a slot.Maybenext year,”Ilie, not wanting to reveal thatIcouldn’t afford it.

“Thatsucks, but it means you get to experience your first time as an attendee.You’llenjoy it.”Heoffers me a kind smile.

“Ihadn’t even thought about attending.I’mjust going to work.”

Justthen, a hand glides across my lower back, andIturn to findGrahamgazing down at me.

“We’regoing to the fair,” he declares, andI’mtoo caught up in his sudden appearance to argue with him.

“Lottie, let’s leave these two before they start k-i-s-s-i-n-g,”Dexdrawls and backs away with a wink.

Shemouths the letters silently to herself before giggling. “Gross!”

Theirlaughter disappears around the corner, leaving us alone.

“Doeseveryone under this roof like to interfere in one another’s lives?”Iask.

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