Page 42 of Moonstruck Kiss

“It’s probably good we got interrupted,” I say with a laugh. “Because do you even have a condom with you?”

He smacks his forehead with his palm. “No. I’ll buy some as soon as we get back into town.”

A thought occurs to me, and a whiny sound escapes my throat. “You can’t buy condoms.”

“Why not?”

“Because rumours are gonna spread that you’re having sex with someone, and they’ll watch you very closely. Everyone will want to know if you’re dating a local. The same goes if you buy from neighbouring towns. You and Ollie are big news in the region.”

“Will anyone talk ifyouget them?”

“Well, I’ve never bought condoms myself so yes, they’ll talk if I do. Honestly, if our families weren’t likely to make a big deal out of it, I wouldn’t care. But I know they will.”

Brax runs a hand on his face. “Yeah. We’ll have to be very careful. As for the condom, I’ll find a way to get some without anyone knowing.”

“I guess I could ask Emory. If she’s not comfortable buying some herself—she’s not dating anyone at the moment—then she could probably pinch some of her brother’s. He’s a bit of a playboy, and she’s told me how ridiculous it is that he has condoms all over his place.”

“Wow, okay.” He chuckles. “I never thought just the simple act of getting condoms could be so difficult in this town. And I don’t mean anything bad by that,” he adds hastily.

I give him a rueful smile. “I know. And it’s true, anyway.”

Funny how we said flings don’t have to be complicated.

Chapter

Eight

BRAX

After Joey has introducedOllie and me to the judges and other participants, Ollie and I sit at our table. My son is keen to start, and I let him concentrate on painting.

I’m still deciding on how to while away my time. I don’t want to leave Ollie’s side but I also want to watch Joey work. I wish she were much closer to us but that would be too obvious.

My phone vibrates with a text and I check it.

Lando: Any other updates on MC?

Fuck, I’d almost forgotten about this particular complication.

I haven’t probed the Barkers further, of course. There hasn’t been a good opportunity. Not that I’ve been looking for any.

Me: Nothing new. Have we signed the contract with Teews?

Lando doesn’t answer for a long time, so I put my phone away.

As the day progresses, people are realising there’s a child prodigy in their midst. Since I keep getting asked how much Ollie’s artwork is, I make up a sign on a cardboard that Oliver Quinn’s pieces are not for sale. I stick it on the front edge of Ollie’s table, to the dismay of most of the crowd.

They continue to watch Ollie paint from a respectful distance, though. Thankfully, Ollie doesn’t seem to mind. He especially likes it when the judges or other artists talk to him because they use art terminology he hasn’t heard before. He’s so eager to learn!

While the head judge is sitting with Ollie, I take the opportunity to stretch my legs—and check up on Joey.

“Looking great,” I say. Her Daffodils and Hills is easily my favourite ever painting, with the exception of Ollie’s.

She glances up. “Thanks. Just touching up and it’s done. Hope the new owner is happy with it.”

“I certainly am.”

Her mouth forms anO. “Did you really want it? Because I already sold it to someone else.”

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