Page 57 of Make it Real
He stared straight at me. “We’re opting to fool around all night.”
Laughing, I stood from his lap, missing my cozy spot the second I left it. “I don’t think that’s on the table. Let’s get some food.”
“What? She just said it was an option.”
I tugged on his hand, coaxing him up to follow me to the kitchen. The excited shivers still coursing through my body needed to cool it, but they firmly ignored my shushing. I tried to look reasonably collected as I inspected the food, like I wasn’t still riding the high of our flirtation.
Food might distract me, but I doubted it. The usual assortment of semi-healthy items littered the counters, along with the cream cheese brownies I’d made this morning and the chips and guacamole Jed had brought.
“Where did you get this guacamole?” Carmen asked, spooning some onto a plate. “It’s delicious.”
“Thank you, I made it.”
His matter-of-fact reply brought out approving nods and wide-eyed glances my way, all of them sayingLook at this keeper. I didn’t need their hints. Believe me, I was looking.
“You didn’t have to bring anything,” Gran said, ever the hostess. “But we appreciate it all the same.”
“I heard it’s best not to show up empty-handed.”
He grinned down at me and shot a little wink that rippled over my skin, the big flirt.
“I’m surprised you had the time.” Rita divvied up my pan of brownies. “You must be pretty busy with harvest. Everyone I know has paid a visit to Evans Orchards this season.”
“That’s what I like to hear. It’s busy, but I don’t mind. You get used to the rhythm of the seasons. Once September hits, we’ll slow back down again, so I don’t have long to complain even if I thought to.”
“We’re so glad you’re able to find some time to see our Callie.”
Gran’s approval practically oozed out her eyeballs, but I kind of loved how enamored she was of him.
His eyes hit mine again. “It’s no hardship to make time to be with Callie.”
Affection surged through me for this man. I tried to squash it back down, considering, but I knew I’d never win that battle. He was a good guy and easy to like on a normal day, but when he aimed all his charm my way? Might as well raise the white flag now.
“I understand you ladies aren’t sticking around town much longer.” He started to fill a plate with a little bit of everything laid out on the counter. “When do you move to Florida?”
“Just a few weeks now,” Carmen said. “The trucks are reserved, and our condo’s waiting for us.”
“And then, the beach!” Rita chimed in, raising a tortilla chip in triumph.
“Sounds like a good change for y’all,” he said.
“It would be if we’d all make up our minds.” Carmen side-eyed Gran with her usual subtle shade.
“I’ve got a lot I’ll be leaving behind.” Gran sent a sweet, soft look my way. “My grandbaby, and maybe soon, great-grandbabies.”
I almost breathed a mouthful of guacamole straight into my lungs. I prayed we wouldn’t round out the night with a little Heimlich maneuver. Seriously, Gran? Why’d she have to go and say something like that in front of my—well, in front of Jed? Even if we’d been one hundred percent genuine, I never would have brought upbabieswith him at this stage, and especially not with this rapt audience.
I wasn’t even sure he wanted to get married, much less have babies some day. Hadn’t he said settling down wasn’t in the cards? Then again, I’d seen him with his niece at June’s engagement party. She’d had him wrapped tight around her little finger, and he’d eaten up their time together. Yeah…I could see it. Playful and fun-loving, he’d encourage his kids into all kinds of silly mischief, and shower them with his endless affection. He’d be the same for his wife, supportive and steady, and always ready to mix things up with laughter when things got routine.
Now that I’d thought about it, pretty sure I’d go right on thinking it, dreaming of Jed as a husband and father. As if I weren’t torn up enough over imaginary scenarios already.
Good job, Granny.
He patted me on the center of my back, part comfort, part trying to dislodge whatever I still coughed on.
“I think you’re making Callie nervous with all the great-grandbaby talk,” he said to her.
At least he could stay cool under pressure. Must have been that military training. Meanwhile, I still had tears streaming from my eyes and avocado in my throat.
