Page 20 of Dumbstruck
Except when they sabotage our movie sets.
June:
Have they done that?
Jonah:
I don’t have proof, but it’s either that or a ghost.
June:
It’s obviously a ghost.
I chuckle at her dry humor and wish I could have had this conversation with her in person instead of over text, but I’d rather give Richie some peace of mind where I can. He’s a permanent fixture in my life, and I need him to stay that way. But I wouldn’t mind adding June to the mix, which means I need to keep trying to prove to her I’m a good guy. By some miracle I haven’t messed things up so far.
Jonah:
You are absolutely right. How could I suggest it was one of your neighbors? Ridiculous.
June:
It wouldn’t surprise me if someone in town is trying to get rid of you guys. No one is happy you’re here.
Jonah:
No one? You’re stranger than I thought if your tactic for getting rid of a guy is kissing him.
The dots pop up. Disappear. Pop up again. Disappear. When she doesn’t respond, I send another text and hope I didn’t push things too far.
Jonah:
I’m glad you kissed me, June. And I’m mad that I didn’t return the favor on your porch. I would blame the cat, but that idiocy was all me.
June:
You’re right. That was pretty stupid of you.
I debate for only a second before hitting the call button. I’m riding pretty high after that response, and hearing her voice would only make the night better.
“Is texting not enough for you?” June says instead of hello.
I chuckle. “I don’t think anything is enough for me when it comes to you. If I come to your store tomorrow, can I kiss you?”
“You’re really asking that?”
“Call me crazy, but I’m a firm believer in consent, and I’m not about to—”
“You’re not crazy. I’m glad you asked.” She’s quiet for a moment. “My… I was engaged back in Denver, before I came here. He never asked.”
Cursing under my breath, I sit up straight as my blood pounds through my ears in anger. “Did he—”
“No. Nothing like that.” June sighs. “For the most part he was a decent man, but there were moments… He’s the reason I left Denver. Why I don’t generally trust charming men. You never know what’s lurking under the veneer.”
Well there goes my good mood. Again, I wish I was with her so I could…I don’t know. This doesn’t feel like it would be a good time to hug her, and patting her arm would be the lamest form of comfort. But I want to dosomething. Why does this town always leave me feeling helpless? “June.” I swallow a thick knot of regret that sticks in my throat. “I’m sorry if I pushed you into anything. I shouldn’t have—”
“Jonah James, you are far too perfect for your own good. You didn’t push me into anything.”
“That’s debatable.”
