Page 35 of About Time You Noticed

Ethan groaned. "I should’ve known." He tugged off his blindfold. "I've tried it once before. It's so salty. I don't know how Australians can stand it."

"I had an advantage," Jake confessed. "I knew we had it in the back of the pantry. I bought it on Amazon years ago." He cocked his head toward his wife. "Did you check the expiration date? There's enough salt in it to preserve a pharaoh, but check what you pull out of the pantry. There’s some stuff in there from my bachelor days that needs to be thrown out.

Kaitlyn bent and rummaged in the drawer. "It's fine. Everything else is fresh. Sorry, guys. I couldn't resist." She straightened and leaned her palms on the shiny countertop. "Okay, time to switch."

Tommy tugged the back of his blindfold. Sarah helped him undo the knot, their fingers brushing. The simplest touch spread tingles through her arm.

Sarah sat in front of him. Tommy tucked loose hair behind her ear. His touch wasn't meant to be romantic in any way. Of course, Tommy didn't want the blindfold to pinch her hair. But his strokes nearly melted her into a puddle. Focus, focus.

He fixed the blindfold into place and squeezed her shoulders. His knees supported her shoulder blades.

It was like they were a real couple, like all the others in the room except for Jake and Damien. She stifled a giggle. Jake wouldn't be letting Damien stroke his hair. Perhaps Tommy's touches were more friendly than they should be.

Kaitlyn clapped for attention. "Everybody ready?"

The sound of the drawer sliding open filled the room before the gentle tap, tap, tap of plastic cups hitting the countertop.

Kaitlyn's quiet steps moved about the room. When she passed a food sample to Tommy, he chuckled. Did he recognize it? Was it spicy? Jake snickered from the other side of the room. Sarah shifted her legs and took a deep breath.

Kaitlyn gave a little squeal. "This game is so fun, especially when you're a spectator. Don't worry—this sample is tasty."

Tommy circled his palm over Sarah’s shoulder. Was he trying to assure her? If he kept touching her like that, she wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

"On your marks, get set, go!"

Tommy moved in close. His breath tickled her neck, and his arm brushed her collarbone. "Open wide. The airplane is coming."

She smiled, open-mouthed. A cool sensation and lemon twang spread over her tongue. She closed her lips over the spoon, and Tommy slipped it out.

Tommy remained close. An image of him kissing her flashed in her mind—what a ridiculous idea. Tommy would never kiss her in front of everyone. And sadly, he wouldn't kiss her at all. Tommy wasn’t attracted to her in that way. Her silly imagination always led to disappointment.

She focused on the flavor coating her tongue and swirled the mixture around. Why had Tommy laughed? Maybe he thought it was something else, but it tasted delicious.

Sarah shot her hand into the air and hit something hard. The clip of Tommy's bone and his yelp simultaneously filled her eardrums. Next, a thud on the floor. Tommy groaned. Sarah shrieked. Boris barked from the back room, and Kaitlyn laughed.

“I’m okay,” Tom mumbled. “Continue without me.”

Sarah patted around the floor until she found a body. Her fingers crawled over his chest and found their way up to his neck until she cupped his face. Still blindfolded, Sarah leaned over. "Did I get your cheekbone?"

He groaned once more. "You got me in the jaw, good and hard."

She felt for his chin and found his hand. "I'm so sorry."

His other palm splayed across her back—his touch gentle. What would this look like to the others, her hovering over him? Half of them were blindfolded or focusing on the game.

Becca called out, "Lemon curd. Is it lemon butter?"

"Yes!" Kaitlyn said.

Tommy caressed Sarah's back, causing the most delicious sensation, sweeter and tangier than lemon butter.

"I'm fine. I forgive you." Another hand cradled her head, and he tugged the blindfold free. Her hair fell past her cheeks, brushing Tommy's face. She hovered over him, gazing into his beautiful, brown eyes. Irresistible chocolate pools.

He smiled slowly, touched his jaw, and whispered, "You could kiss it better if you want."

Damien barked in laughter across the room.

She snapped back and came out of her trance. What the heck was Tommy talking about?

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