Page 88 of Grit
He smiled and looked her up and down. “I’m good.”
She flushed just from the look. “Stop,” she murmured when she sat on the stool next to him.
“Stop what?”
“The looks.”
He leaned closer, his delicious arms crossed over his chest. “Do you feel like I’m undressing you with my eyes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Her face was so hot she probably looked like one of her mom’s tomatoes. “Cary—”
“Hey, guys!” Tayla’s bright voice interrupted Melissa’s embarrassment.
Cary gave her a small smile. “How you doing, Lizard?”
“Lizard?” Melissa looked at Cary.
“Your…” Tayla’s smile was wicked. “Sorry, not sure what’s going on with you two lately. Is it friend? Boyfriend? Kissing buddy? I heard something about making out on Main Street.”
Melissa ignored her completely. “Why is Cary calling you Lizard?”
Cary said, “Because when she’s at the climbing gym, she just sticks to the wall.” He spread his arms out with his hands wide. “Like this. Stuck there. Sometimes she stays for hours.”
“Ha ha,” Tayla said. “Nice attempt to avoid the question. So, kissing on Main Street?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Cary said. “Would you like to buy some lemonade?” He nodded behind her. “Because those people do.”
Tayla stepped to the side, allowing Cary to help the customers behind her. That only put her closer to Melissa.
“Tell me,” Tayla muttered.
“None of your business.”
“Tell me anyway.” She smiled at a lady who handed over seven dollars for jam. “I have been waiting for you to tap that for years now. Is he as strong as he looks, because hot damn, that man looks—”
“Tayla, you’re scaring the children.” Melissa gritted her teeth in the semblance of a smile.
“There’re no children around.” Tayla looked. “Don’t try to evade! Emmie and I saw you kissing in front of Jeremy’s, and we have been very, very patient because we know you’re busy, butcome on!”
Melissa plastered her mouth shut and managed to keep it closed until Daisy made her way through the crowd.
“Hey,” Daisy said. “Did you ask her?”
“Not you too!” Melissa glanced at Cary, who was still swamped with lemonade customers. “Daisy, we’re not in high school.”
“I know.” Daisy planted her hand on Melissa’s table. “She’s in a relationship. I’ve been married forever. We need excitement. Spill. What’s going on with you and Hottie Nakamura?”
“We’re…” How had her face not exploded by now? Was that possible? Had she been sad that she didn’t have female friends? Why was that again? “We’re… dating?”
“I know that much. One of my waitresses works at Café Georgette on the weekends. Tell us more than that.”
“How is this town three times as big as Oakville and yet somehow even more nosy?” Melissa walked over to Cary. “Hey, the ice in the bucket for the lemon curd is melting. Can I grab some of yours?”
“No problem.” He put a hand on the small of her back and dropped a fast kiss on her mouth. “Just grab some from the ice chest in the back of the truck.”
