Page 8 of More Than Falling in Love

He nods but doesn’t look at me.I guess I don’t have to worry about him mentioning the gasp.More likely, he won’t speak to me at all.But the hand thing was nice.The action not the tingling.Although that was nice too.

Mason is talking to Parker about horseshoes, so this is my moment to make sure Kent doesn’t mind that I’m literally between him and his kid.

Resting a hand on his upper arm, I lean in close and try to ignore the sparkly sensation that happens whenever I touch him.It’s all in my head, but no less bothersome.

“I’m not trying to barge in.Please let me know if… I mean, Mason is your son.If you’d rather I not hang out with him, I understand.You don’t really know me.”

Kent blinks and stares at my hand on his arm.Slowly, he lifts his gaze to meet mine.“It’s fine.”

“You’ll tell me if I’m in the way?”

He gives a shrug.“Sure.”

I’m totally having a moment.This is probably how Elizabeth felt when she met Mr.Darcy.But that kind of thinking isn’t good.Kent definitely isn’t my Mr.Darcy.He isn’t my anything.

“Poppy, look here.”Mason begins pulling rocks out of his pockets, giving me the perfect excuse to turn away from Kent.It’s amazing the kid can run with so many treasures weighing him down.“This is only part of my collection.Maybe later I can show you all of it.”

“Wow.You have some cool rocks.”

“These aren’t even my best ones.I have a rock that is shaped like a heart.It’s so cool.That’s a special rock.”

Mason squirms off the bench when a couple walks into the mess hall.“Jasmine, come sit by me.I’m showing Poppy my rocks.Want to see my new ones?”

“Absolutely.And I have a new one for you.”Jasmine follows him to the table, and the man with her trails behind.

“Excuse me, Poppy, will you scoot over so Jasmine can sit by me?She collects bottle caps, and sometimes she brings me cool rocks that she finds when she’s working.”

I extend my hand.“Nice to meet you.”

“Same.This is my husband, Tyler.”

He reaches over and shakes my hand.

“You must be Mad Dog’s daughter.From New York?”Jasmine sets her purse on the bench.

I rub Mason’s shoulder while talking.“That’s right.I flew in for the wedding.Don’t Ava and my dad make a cute couple?”

“I’ve been wondering when she’d be snagged.I’m just glad he isn’t taking her away from us.”Tyler kisses Jasmine’s cheek.“I’ll grab us food.”

Jasmine settles into her seat and chats with Mason about rocks.

There isn’t much of a gap between me and Kent.The new seating arrangement will be cozy.Making conversation seems the polite thing to do when pressing your body against someone else.“Mason is such a cute kid.Smart.”

“Yep.”

Kent is definitely a man of few words.He must have a limited word allotment each day.

Mason leans forward onto the table.“We need more room because Tyler always wants to sit by Jasmine.”He rolls his eyes.“Always.”

I scoot until I’m flush against Kent’s side.His very muscled side.“Sorry about… you know.”I move my hand up and down, which only highlights that there isn’t the slightest gap between us.“Um, how long have they been married?”

“A few months.And I don’t mind ...where you are.”

I rest a hand on his arm again.By nature, I’m a touchy person, and if I act different with Kent than the other guys, my dad will notice.I just have to ignore the tingling.“Thanks.I better pay attention to the rocks.”

Focusing on Mason again, I listen to his stories about where each rock was found.But I’m distracted by the big warm guy beside me.

Tyler sets two plates on the table.“Mason, Jasmine and I were wondering if you and your dad wanted to come over tonight and see our new kitty.”

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