Page 3 of As Long As You Kiss Me

“How is your mom?” Jackson asked Aubrey. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

“Just the same as ever. She never stops.”

Sully couldn’t help but smile. “And neither do you.” She turned to Jackson. “Did you know Aubrey is running the Whitmore House now?”

“That historic mansion that hosts weddings?”

“That’s the one.” Aubrey looked so proud. “And business is booming. People keep getting married off in Maple Creek.”

“And some of us just get divorced,” Sully said.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up about that,” Aubrey soothed. “You never know. You might be the next one to end up with a wedding at the Whitmore House.”

“I find that highly unlikely.” Sully frowned. She probably wouldn’t ever get married again. Not after her last experience with the institution. It hadn’t been the greatest.

“You’re not dating anyone?” Jackson asked. “Not that I’m volunteering myself or anything.”

“You think I’d kiss you like that if I have a boyfriend?” Sully crossed her arms. But as soon as she said it, she felt her face going red. Maybe she should just drop the subject.

“Good point,” Jackson agreed with her.

“What was up with that kiss anyway?” Aubrey asked.

“We don’t need to talk about it anymore,” Sully said.

“Oh, but I think we do,” Aubrey teased.

Sully groaned. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”

“Are you kidding?” Aubrey gave her a wicked grin. “Not a chance.”

“We can change the subject,” Jackson suggested. “Do you still own the ice cream shop?”

“Yep.”

“And how is business?”

“We’re doing pretty well. I love it there.”

“I’ll have to swing by and check it out sometime.” Jackson took another sip of his drink. “I’m always in the mood for ice cream.”

What a man. Now he was speaking her language. “Me too. You’d think I’d be sick of it, but I’m not. I could eat it every day.”

“It’s crazy that she can eat so much ice cream and stay tiny,” Aubrey said.

“High metabolism.” Sully shrugged. “Runs in the family.”

“That makes me hate you, you know that?” Aubrey said. “I look at a bowl of ice cream, and I gain a pound.”

“I’m the same way,” Jackson said. “But I love sweets, so I work out a lot to allow for it in my diet.”

“We can’t all be perfect with our high metabolisms,” Aubrey teased. “You know, Tyson was the same way. That guy could eat a ton, and he always stayed trim.”

Jackson’s face grew stony at the mention of Sully’s brother.

“Tyson was in the military,” Sully reminded Aubrey. “They made him work out a ton. But even before Jackson dragged him into that recruiting office, he was thin and ate enough for three guys.”

“I didn’t drag him there,” Jackson protested. “He wanted to go too.” Jackson picked up his mug and drank the rest of his drink. “I should go.” Jackson was now completely closed off. He wouldn’t look at her, and he pulled out some money and said to Dixie, “How much do I owe you?” Dixie gave him the amount, and he paid her.

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