Page 70 of Say Yes to the Hot Mess

Dex’s eyes dart to me and then away again. “Yeah,” he says, and I think he’s actuallyblushing.What’s that about?

“Okay,” I say uncertainly. Then I take a sip of my water, turning my attention back to my phone when I feel it buzz an alert.

It’s Kingston.

Kingston:Tell me more about this dream and I’ll tell you whether you should kiss him in real life

I barely stop myself from snorting out loud.

Me:I don’t think so. That’s embarrassing!

Kingston:Your call, but I think I could be a real asset to you.

Me:I think you just want an insight into the female mind.

Kingston:100% guilty.

Kingston:As it so happens, I’m having some romantic troubles myself. So maybe we could help each other. Tell me more about this guy.

Hmm. That offer is too good to pass up, especially since I really would like his thoughts, and I’d be happy to help him, too—although selfishly I don’t love the idea of him with someone else.

Me:I’d be lying if I said I’m not wildly curious about the kind of woman who’s caught your attention

His response is slow in coming, but when it does, it’s not nearly as informative as I want.

Kingston:She’s…something else.

Kingston:But you first. Tell me what has you confused

I take a deep breath, sipping at my water again. The condensation feels nice against my palm in the stuffy heat of the room, and I surreptitiously rub my hand over the back of my neck.

“You okay?” Dex says, leaning toward me. I jump, turning my phone over in my lap. “You’re awfully quiet.” Then he looks down, nodding at my phone. And when he speaks, there’s something almost mischievous in his eyes. “Something you don’t want me to see?”

“No,” I answer too quickly—like the guilty liar I am.

“Mm-hmm,” he says, raising one eyebrow. The corners of his lips twitch as he says, “Clearly.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, and I feel my cheeks heat. “It’s just—I’m just touching base with a friend.”

Dex gestures to my phone. “By all means. Don’t let me stop you.”

I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously, but he just smiles and turns his attention back to the table. After glancing at him a few times to make sure he’s not peeking, I turn my phone over and go back to my messages.

Me:I can’t talk about it right now. This guy is literally sitting right next to me.

About a minute later, a reply comes through.

Kingston:Fine. But for what it’s worth, if you want to kiss him, I think he’d love it.

Ha. That would be nice. But way too risky. Dex and I finally have a good thing going. I’m not going to kiss him and muddle it up.

I put my phone back in my purse so I’m not tempted to respond and then try to tune in more to the conversations happening at the table. Dex is talking to his uncle, a portly, round-faced man, about his job, while two other aunts and an uncle are talking about the last round of golf they apparently all played together.

I sit silently for the rest of the meal, keeping myself busy by thoroughly enjoying my desserts. It’s hard to eat a chocolate-covered strawberry without looking overly sensual, and I do notice Dex watching me a few times, his eyes zeroed in on my lips. I try my best to ignore this, though, because otherwise I’m going to overheat. I’m somehow both grateful and disappointed when his attention is pulled away as Aunt Sylvie announces over the speakers that the bride and groom are going to have their first dance.

The lights dim, and I watch as the new Mr. and Mrs. Anthony sway to a sappy song about forever. Seeing them together, I’m more certain than ever that I made the right choice ending things with Chet. He and I would never have worked. We didn’t look at each other the way we should have if we were going to get married.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Dex says in my ear, startling me. I jump, my shoulder banging into his chin.

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