Page 72 of Grit
“You think I was a fan of ramen-noodle hair?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but now I’m hungry for ramen. Thank you.”
She smiled. “You never told me how the climb went.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Very good.”
“Was it… relaxing?”
Cary bit back a smile. “Not as relaxing as some things can be.”
“Shhhh.”
Joan was glaring at them, so Melissa shut up. You could be thirty-four, but that didn’t mean you got to ignore your mom when you were whispering during the assembly.
“Be good,” she whispered to him.
“Trust me, I’ll beverygood.” His thumb slid along her bare shoulder, and Melissa barely contained the shiver.
It wasn’t fair for Cary to turn her on in the middle of the Oakville Elementary assembly hall, but when had life ever been fair?
They sat through Abby’s dance—which was pretty cute even though the girls had done more laughing than lip-syncing—and two more dance groups. Four trembling singers, three piano solos, and the world’s shortest and cutest garage band rounded out the night’s entertainment. When the lights came up and everyone turned to go, Melissa looked at Cary.
“I made chili and corn bread, so we can eat when you and your mom get to the house.”
Cary was staring at her.
“What?” She looked down. “Did I get something on my dress?”
He murmured, “I want to kiss you right now.”
“Because I made chili?”
“No, I just want to kiss you.” He leaned close as people shuffled around them. “It’s been over a week. I need you and me. Alone.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’m going to go pick up Abby from her classroom, then we’re going to the house to eat dinner.”
“After that?”
Her cheeks felt hot. “After that… I wanted you to check out the new plumbing in the bunkhouse if you have time.”
“Sure.” His eyes burned her skin. “I’d be happy to do that.”
“Did you see when I slipped?”Abby burst into laughter. “I thought Marta was going to fall all over me, and then we were all going to fall over like dominos.”
“But you didn’t,” Rumi said. “You caught yourself and then you all finished very nicely. It was a beautiful dance.”
“Thanks, Nana.” Abby reached for another piece of corn bread, but Melissa stopped her.
“Nuh-uh.” Melissa pointed at her bowl. “Actual food before you take more corn bread.”
“Mom—”
“Don’t argue. Protein, Abby. Muscles don’t grow from corn.”
Melissa pretended not to notice when Cary slipped half his corn bread over to Abby’s plate, but she caught his eye when Abby giggled.
“What?” His face was all innocence. He took a bite of his chili. “Great chili, Missy.”
