Page 47 of Kiss Me at Midnight
“I’m going to swoon. He’s so romantic.” Grandma Dotty squeezed Lily’s arm.
“You’re swooning because you haven’t eaten enough on this trip.” Lily managed to work her hand free. “I can’t lie to my family. We’re pretending. I’m nothing more to you than one of the weekly damsels in distress they feature on your show.”
“Oh, no. He’s in love with Aviator,” Grandma Dotty said firmly. “He may be a playboy in real life, but he plays a smitten hero on TV.” She frowned. “Did that come out right?”
“Yes,” Lily said at the same time Jud said, “No.”
“Listen to me, ladies. We’re headed to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Charleston. We’re going to be photographed.” Jud captured Lily’s hand once more. “My girlfriend and I are going to look like we’re smitten with each other, because we are.”
“Ooh. That’s a good word for it.” Grandma Dotty smiled and repeated, “Smitten.”
Lily wanted to give in. She really did. “We both know I’m not the woman for you.”
“Sure, you are.” Jud touched a finger to Lily’s nose. “And someday, I’ll prove it to you.”
“That day is sooner than you think.” Grandma Dotty chuckled.
*
The driver took them to a quaint café that served both breakfast and lunch.
As much as Jud tried to sit next to Lily, her sisters swarmed him like angry hornets, isolating him at the table.
Her identical twin Violet was the most intent on pinpointing Jud’s feelings. “What do you like about Lily?”
“She makes me happy when we’re together.” Jud snagged Lily’s gaze, thinking how content he felt when she was in his arms. “We don’t even have to talk to–”
“She makes you happy when she doesn’t talk?” Maggie was definitely the take-no-prisoners, glass-half-empty sister. “I’m happy when I deliver a foal or a calf. Don’t need a man hanging around to make me happy.”
The rest of the Summer clan heaved a collective sigh.
“What do you respect about Lily?” Aubrey hid her curiosity behind a pleasant smile.
Jud had never auditioned for the part of boyfriend before. What he needed was a character motivation speech, like the ones he made to directors when he was being considered for a role.
“I’m enjoying my plain egg salad sandwich.” Dotty covered a burp behind her delicate hand. “It’s so good that I may never leave.”
Lily chuckled. “Whatever makes you happy.”
And that statement, Jud realized, was the key to Lily. “Honestly? Lily is so down-to-earth that she grounds me. She cares more about others, and serving others, than she does about herself. He gave each Summer female a level glance. “She makes me think about my purpose here on earth when for years all I’ve been focused on is me and my career.” He’d never uttered a truer statement.
And man, that went over well. The table went silent.
He was just congratulating himself when the Summers burst out laughing, even Lily.
“Those were heartfelt words.” He let some of his irritation color his statement, rising to his feet. “I’m going to pay the bill.” And get some much needed air.
“I care about others.” Maggie had somehow leaped out of her seat to follow him, practically stepping on his heels. “And I have a big heart.”
He glanced back at her, noting her forced smile and feral look in her eyes. It was good that she was a large animal veterinarian. She was no good as an actress. “Do you have a heart as big as Lily’s? I noticed Lily apologized for bringing up your sister Kitty.” He recalled Lily had mentioned to Abe that Kitty had stolen a sister’s fiancé. Maggie’s? That would explain her doldrums. “Do you still love Kitty?”
“I…” Maggie blanched. “That’s none of your business. We can blow off the others and find an alley to make out.”
The hostess was all ears as she rang up their tag.
Jud handed the hostess a wad of cash, including a generous tip and told her, “Do you see what celebrities have to put up with? For the record, I’m in a relationship with Maggie’s sister. Now, run along Maggie and ask your sister’s forgiveness for making a pass at me.”
Maggie stomped off just as a group of college-age women entered the restaurant and squealed with excitement over meeting Titanium Talon.
