Page 38 of Simply Yours

“Are you free Friday?” Jason asked, his voice cool but with an undercurrent of something that made her pulse race.

“Maybe,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Jason raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I see.” He took a step back and then smirked again, his voice teasing. “Why don’t you text me and let me know when you get a few minutes—especially now that you have my cell number?”

“I might,” she answered, though she wasn’t entirely sure of anything at this point.

“Wonderful,” Jason said, his smile broadening, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He hesitated, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary, and then, just when Caitlin thought he might leave, he turned back toward her.

“Here,” he said, thrusting a wad of cash into her hand before she could react. “That was a heckuva kiss, so I paid triple what you were asking for the bread. Sister Mary-Hazel only accepts donations, so thank you for playing along with me. See ya Friday, Caitlin.”

And just like that, he was gone—his stride purposeful, his back to her, leaving her standing there, dumbfounded, holding two hundred dollars in her hand like it was the most surreal thing that had ever happened to her.

He bought her bread – and lied to the nun, saying it was a donation? What kind of man was he? And why would he do that for her?

A kind man,that little voice said inside of her – smiling.

Eight

JASON

Jason sighed for the millionth time that evening, the grin on his face so wide it practically hurt. He could hardly believe it—he had Caitlin’s number. And not just that—he’d kissed her. It was as if the universe had shifted and aligned perfectly in that one moment: no interruptions, no second-guessing, just her, him, and that kiss.

The kiss.

It was like fireworks exploding in his chest, making him feel something deep, something powerful. He could’ve sworn he heard angels singing as their lips met, her hands clutching the front of his shirt, pulling him in with such urgency it almost took his breath away. It was as if the world outside of them had ceased to exist. She kissed him like she was hanging onto a rollercoaster, clinging for dear life as they plummeted together, soul and body entwined.

That feeling was everything.

Jason couldn’t wipe the cocky smile off his face. He felt like strutting, like puffing out his chest and crowing to the heavens. He understood now why a rooster strutted around like he owned the world—he was the one. The only one. And Caitlin had kissed him back.

He’d kissed Caitlin.

And no one had stopped him.

He had her attention, and she had his.

Heck, she'd kissed the life out of him, and it was everything he wanted. Oneamazingwoman.

"Oh my gosh, just look at that sappy smile," Matthew teased, his voice dripping with mockery. He grabbed the nearest bucket for feed and held it up like he was about to puke into it. "Nauseating."

Jason turned, a smug laugh escaping his lips. "Shut up. You do it all the time."

"What?" Matthew's voice hitched with exaggerated shock. "Oh my gosh, no you didn’t. You actually manned up and kissed my best friend? You know what kind of boundaries this crosses? So many, bro! So many!"

Jason shook his head, grinning wider. "Yeah, I kissed her. Big deal."

"Wow." Luke gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up, looking like he was trying to hold back a laugh. "Good job – unless she slapped you?Didshe slap you?"

Jason scoffed, eyes narrowing in disbelief. "No. Why would she slap me? I’m not Matthew, and I wouldn’t kiss someone if they weren’t interested."

Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So you knew she was interested in you?"

Jason blinked, taken aback. "Wait—you knew?"

“Half the town knows Caitlin’s into you for some reason,” Luke said, glancing between Jason and Matthew, his grin spreading.

Jason’s jaw dropped.

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