Page 80 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“So if that wasn't true, you would...what?”
She forced a grin. “If you fire me, Janine will kick my butt.”
“I’m not going to fire you, but Gin. Wasn't there something there? Between us just now?” He motioned to the spot they’d been standing when he’d kissed her.
“It was a really good kiss. But I’m going on very little experience here.”
“And you think I’m experienced?”
She looked up from wiping down the counter. “It sure felt like you knew what you were doing.”
His smile canted. “I just did what felt good. I mean...you edit romance novels. Was it good?”
“What I’m telling you is most of my experience is from romance novels.”
He looked at her a long moment. “You’re not—”
Was he asking her if she was a virgin? He was. She felt her face flame. Yes. Yes, another cliche. Well, they were cliches for a reason, right? She resisted the urge to put her hands to her cheeks to calm the heat.
“No, I mean, I’m not—I haven't been with anyone in a really long time.”
“Since that guy you were engaged to?”
“No, I mean.” She drew in a breath. She didn’t want to talk to him about the Air Force guys she’d dated. She didn’t want him to think she opened herself up easily. Because she’d learned the hard way not to. “A long time ago. Look, I really don't want to talk about my lame love life, if you don't mind. We told Janine we’d have the place spotless and ready for her to open in the morning, so we need to get to it.”
She walked from behind the counter armed with the spray Janine wanted them to use on the tables. She’d also noticed a lot of those little paper cups around, some on the floor, so they’d have to sweep and mop, too.
Why hadn’t they recruited more people to stay and help?
Then they never would have kissed and would not be having this awkward conversation.
He looked at her for a long moment before he pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen to clean up back there.
Good. Distance. That was what they needed.
“Thanks to you, we foresaw a lot of obstacles we were able to get in front of,” he said when they were finally done and she turned out the lights, except for the ones in the pass-through bar that Janine always kept on. Ginny didn't close often, but she knew the routine. After all, Janine had told her this would be hers some day.
“Except the quinoa. What were you thinking? Mrs. Lopez is going to kick your butt for making her stock that.”
“Never fear. We’re going to use it again in the breakfast competition.”
Ginny stuck out her tongue and shook her head. “That does not sound tasty.”
“Sure, with cinnamon, or fruit. Like oatmeal but healthier.”
“We’ll see. We don't have a lot of people signed up for that one.”
“Let’s take one success at a time, shall we?” He turned to her under the streetlight. “You were incredible, and I couldn't have done this without you.”
“You said that, but I’m sure Poppy would have helped. Sofia. Lacey. Someone would have stepped up.”
“Okay, let me rephrase. There’s no one I would have rather had at my side.”
Oh, hell. He moved close to her, and she should have turned, should have run, should have put her hands up to push him away.
Instead, she lifted her face, let her eyes drift shut, and let herself lean into the soft kiss.
“Let me walk you home,” he said, his voice low and quiet.
