Page 101 of Revelry
“You were watching me?”
He smirked. “Oh yeah, for a long time before you noticed me. Got me all turned on watching you in your element.”
I snorted, shoving his hand off my knee before I was tempted to move it higher. “It did not.”
“I swear, it really did.”
We arrived at the ranch and he didn’t say anything more, like he knew I needed to get in the zone. He parked by the mainhouse, and I hopped out of the truck, opening my arms to greet Kat who was already running to me.
“It’s fair day!” she cried, squeezing me tight, her blonde hair enveloping me. “Our first one and I’m excited but could also vomit.”
“Me too,” I sighed.
She pulled away and glanced at Tate. “Have you been roped into helping out?”
“I sure have,” he smiled, then turned away and dropped the tailgate of the truck.
He’s smiling?Kat mouthed.
I nodded, giving her a thumbs up and she narrowed her stare at me. My cheeks started flushing and flushed harder when her eyes drifted to the massive hickey that I’d tried to conceal. Her eyes widened and I rolled my lips inwards shaking my head in ashut the fuck upmotion. She opened her mouth and did a silent squeal, mouthingoh my godat me. We managed to silently do a little dance. She gripped my arms squeezing them tight then we leapt apart as Tate turned back to us.
“Where do you want it all to go?” he asked, frowning as he took in our smooth, innocent expressions with our heavy breathing giving us away. “Everything okay?”
“Uh huh,” I pushed out. “Where should I set up?”
“Right this way,” Kat said breathlessly and gestured to follow her.
We rounded the house and saw Jack and Leo already setting up the lights on the stage and August was directing where the tables should go for local businesses to sell their wares. Daisy was checking people in and the whole area was abuzz with excitement as booths were set up.
A thrill ran through me as Kat showed us which table was mine. It was the perfect spot so that I got all the fairgoers as they came in. They could get an ice cream while they wanderedaround the other tables or watched the entertainment. Kat said that they’d hired the band that usually played at the bar and that Max was going to play and sing.
“I’ll leave you to get set up. Thank you so much, Gertie. I really appreciate you stepping in so late and I just know everyone is going to go crazy for your ice cream. It’s just the tits.” Kat kissed my cheek and smacked my ass before racing off.
I looked at the table, a large six-footer which would be just enough room to get a selection of flavors out and the accompanying cones, cups and toppings. I placed my hands on my hips, eager to begin.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked Tate who stood with his arms folded, watching me with an odd expression on his face.
“I’m going to help you.”
My pulse pounded at his words. “Tate, you don’t have to do that. You’ll be bored.”
He snorted and stepped forward, taking up the space between us and cupped my jaw.
“How could I ever be bored around you?” he asked, dropping a quick kiss on the tip of my nose. “I’ll go get the ice cream, you keep planning how you want it to look.” He gave my ass a little tap which sent a thrill through me that he definitely noticed.
I started mapping out where I wanted everything to go; what was a practical placement of flavors. Did I put the most popular ones first or the quirkier flavors first to capture people’s attention? Did I put the candy first or the sauces? Did it matter? Was I over-thinking it?
Tate came back and I decided to just dive right in, pulling out tubs and arranging them. I left the duplicate flavors in the cooler and hoped they kept. It was pretty cold out, my fingers were going numb and my anxiety rose.
“Why have I made ice cream in freaking winter?” I cried.
“Because it doesn’t matter how cold it is outside, people love coming and getting this kind of food from stalls. You’re like a mini food truck,” Tate said, rubbing his big hands up and down my arms, invigorating me. I glanced at the other vendors setting up their stalls. There was a fudgery, a cupcakery and a place that was frying burgers and corn dogs.
“Have faith,” Tate murmured against my hair before pressing a kiss to my head. I nodded, turning away from the others and not letting them get to me.
I fiddled with the lilac checkered cloth I’d draped over the table. The pastel-colored tubs created a nice aesthetic. It looked feminine and reminded me of springtime. Soon I was pacing behind the table and looking up to see people arriving in droves.
“Showtime,” I murmured, shaking out my hands to stop their trembling.
