Page 59 of Don't Go Faking My Heart

"It kind of matters," Patty says, but I’m pretty sure he’s kidding.

"Ash, you don't have to do anything, but I promise the food tastes better after you've worked up an appetite."

"It's the same with flirting and kissing," Patty says. "All that flirting works up the appetite for more."

Patty's words spike the temperature in the kitchen a hundred degrees. He may as well have thrown me in the fryer along with the cheese curds. Which is dumb, because Rusty and I have already kissed. And besides, we're not dating and it wasn't a real kiss, and we're not even actually flirting.

It just feels that way.

He gives you noogies.

Yeah, and he also said he regrets it.

This is all because we have an audience. Nothing else. And Patty only said what he said because he's part of that audience. He thinks we're dating.

And that means I need to react accordingly.

"Yup, it sure is," I say lamely. It's been too long for me to even respond to his comment. "Just like kissing, huh Hotcakes?"

"Hmm?" Rusty says, his eyes flitting to mine only briefly, because he's very much in the middle of frying very hot things and because my response is so late and so unnecessary.

But I'm committed to the bit now. I have to be. "Oh, I was just thinking about how Patrick said that flirting works up the appetite for kissing. Doesn't it, babe?"

And then, in the most awkward move possible, I grab his face and plant a kiss on his lips. Or at least that's what I try to do. My nose ends up crashing into his, and his face smushes my glasses. They push painfully into the bridge of my nose.

"Ow," I hiss.

"Oof," Rusty mutters.

"Ouch," Patty says. "That was painful to watch. Maybe you two should stick with flirting."

Rusty laughs and adjusts my glasses. "Better?" he asks.

"Want to revisit that whole 'you could never be in the way' comment?"

"Yeah, I take it all back. You're a liability." He kisses the tip of my nose. "But I like it."

He took the most awkward, forced kiss in the world and turned it into something sweet. Something endearing. Something …

Sexy.

HOW IS HE SO GOOD AT THIS?

Rusty's friend Sean comes in from the bar, and it hits me how much he and Patty look alike. "We've hit a lull,” Sean says. “Probably a good time for a break."

Patrick nods. "Y'all are off the clock," he tells Rusty. "Enjoy your dinner."

"Thanks, man," Rusty says. Patty nods and Rusty fixes us a couple of plates.

"It was great to meet you, Patty," I say, plate in hand.

"It's Patrick."

"Is it, though?" I ask.

"Good to meet you, too, Ash."

I grin. "Thanks, Patty!"

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