Page 55 of Smoke Show

Eve arched her brows. “Never?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I try to keep my dating life out of Campfire. Less gossip that way.”

“Should I feel honored or scared?” Eve asked.

“Maybe a bit of both,” I admitted, forcing a smile. “We’ll see how you feel after game night.”

“Are you going to be ruthless? Will I see a new side to Principal Gleason?” she teased.

“It’s a good thing you like me bossy in the bedroom,” I murmured, keeping my voice low so only she would hear.

“Is that your way of saying you’re going to dominate tonight?” she asked.

“Oh.Yeah.”

She grinned. “You’re on. But remember the golden rule.”

“Artists know how to turn payback into a masterpiece?” I hazarded.

Eve nodded. “If you do me dirty, I’ll be plotting revenge.”

Hearing her use the word ‘dirty’ took me down a rabbit hole she probably didn’t intend. At least not with my entire family a scant couple of feet away.

“Break it up, lovebirds. You’re blocking access to the green bean casserole.”

I shifted aside. “Sorry, Nonna.”

“Go get your sweet thing a plate, Brady. Where are your manners? The poor girl’s probably starving. And don’t let her miss my deviled eggs.”

“Yes, Nonna,” I said obediently.

Eve’s hand slid into mine, and I gently tugged her toward the beginning of the buffet line and handed her a plate. We fell in behind my Aunt Cassie, who smiled knowingly at me.

Eve reached for a devilled egg, and Aunt Cassie shook her head. “No, dear. Trust me. You want to skip the eggs.”

I sighed. “Take one Eve. Nonna Gleason will notice if you don’t. But you can slide it onto my plate when she’s not looking.”

Aunt Cassie’s brows rose to meet her hairline.

“Dear, I think he really likes you,” she whispered conspiratorially to Eve. “In fact, that might be love.”

I kept my gaze focused on dishing up my mom’s famous stuffing, avoiding Eve’s smirk.

She wasn’t ready to believe it, and I wasn’t ready to say it, but Aunt Cassie might be closer to the truth than even she knew.

“Exactly how bad is Nonna Gleason’s cooking?” Eve whispered. “Am I going to end up in the hospital?”

“Now you know why my dad fell so hard for my mom,” I murmured, scooping up mashed potatoes. “He grew up with Nonna’s cooking. My mom’s kitchen skills were a revelation when they started dating. I’m not sure dad had ever seen a fresh herb before they met.”

Eve giggled, the soft sound pleasing me.

“Is that why you cook so well?” she asked as we found seats in between my Aunt Cassie and Uncle Ed. “I’ve been impressed with the few meals you’ve made for me.”

“Thank God, he takes after his mother,” Ed mumbled next to us, glancing guiltily at Nonna Gleason when she grunted her disapproval.

“I was a fine cook. John and my Earl certainly never complained.”

I squeezed Eve’s thigh under the table, keeping my expression neutral. I saw her lip twitch out of the corner of my eye as she realized that no one was rising to Nonna Gleason’s defense, instead choosing violence. Er, silence.

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