Page 43 of Moonstruck Kiss

I blink. “What?Why?I kept saying I love it. I said I’d pay whatever you want for it.”

Joey bursts out laughing and gives herself away.

“Very funny,” I say with a shake of my head.

“It’s yours,” she confirms.

“Thank you. I already know where I’ll hang it.” In the living room in the cabin first, then in my Manhattan study.

A thirty-something woman in smart, expensive casual wear stops in front of us. “Hello, excuse me. You’re Braxton Quinn, right?” she asks in an American accent.

“Yes.”

“Looks like you’re having fun here at Moonstruck Cove. Are you looking forward to going back to New York?” She glances at Joey.

“I’m sorry,” I say pleasantly, “but I’m not up to being interviewed today.”

“Oh, I’m not a reporter. I just happened to recognise you.”

“Right. Well, yes, I’m having fun here. How areyouenjoying Moonstruck Cove?” I ask her.

“Me? Oh, good. It’s…great.”

“That’s nice,” Joey interjects. “When did you arrive in town?”

“Um, just yesterday. I heard about this event and I decided to check it out.” The woman turns her back to Joey to face me fully. “When do you go back to Manhattan?”

Oh, now I don’t like this person. She’s intrusive and, worse, she’s rude to Joey. “Not sure,” I answer curtly.

“Excuse me, Miss,” a teenage guy interrupts. “Is that nice, shiny white Mazda your car?”

“Yes,” answers Miss Rude.

“You better go and check. Looks like someone’s spilt quite a lot of tomato sauce on it.”

“What?” Miss Rude stomps away.

The teenager grins at me. “Operation BO.”

I stifle my laugh. “Thanks, mate. Appreciate it.”

“No worries.” He shouts to Miss Rude as he follows her. “I’ll help you clean it!”

Joey’s shoulders are shaking with laughter. “That was very quick thinking by Rover. My dad would be disappointed. That might be the best Operation BO so far.”

“I hope she leaves and doesn’t come back,” I say. “Anyway, I should go back to Ollie. Take good care ofmypainting!”

“Sure, sure.”

I repress a sigh. When can I kiss that smart mouth again?

Art Fun Day is almost over and I’m surprised that Ollie has stayed for the whole day. He did have plenty of breaks and even had a short nap in the car. But he hasn’t asked to leave early at any time. He’s been enjoying the time painting and getting attention from people.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I pull it out.

Lando: Teews hasn’t signed yet. For now, we don’t need to do anything more regarding this project.

Me: Understood. Thanks.

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