Page 34 of The Heart Shot
Aunt Jo stood a few feet away, hands on her hips, eyes darting between us with a smug smile on her face.
“We were, um, trying to get out of the maze,” I stammered, unable to look at her.
Aunt Jo pointed a long finger behind us. “Exit is right there.”
I glanced over my shoulder. Sure enough, the maze exit was a few feet away. How had I missed that?
You were too busy almost kissing the man, that’s how!
“Did you need something?” Jameson asked, rubbing at his neck. He seemed less flustered by being caught almost kissing and more…annoyed.
“I did,” she smirked. “But it can wait until this is done.” Her hand flopped between us.
Jameson looked at me, and I squirmed beneath his gaze. Finally, he sighed and answered, “Let me walk Elsie to her car, and then I’ll meet you at the shop.”
To say my stomach sank was an understatement, the sensation so irritating that I wished I could kick myself in the butt. Why was I reacting this way? I shouldn’t want to stay; I shouldn’t want to continue whatever almost happened between us. My mind was at war with itself, both wanting to stay with him and wanting to distance myself as much as possible.
“Oh, pish posh,” his aunt said, waving her hand again. “She can help move the crates of apples into the fridge, too.” Without a backward glance, Aunt Jo exited the maze.
Jameson tunneled his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. You really don’t have to help. I’ll walk you to your car.”
I considered leaving for a moment, and Smart Elsie and Smitten Elsie had a little angel versus devil argument on my shoulders.
Come on, Elsie, go help his sweet aunt, and spend more time with the hunk!
Oh, quiet you! She doesn’t need to get any more confused about all this. She needs to limit her time with Jameson. Or have you forgotten what we’ve gone through?
Smitten Elsie would not be deterred.Oh, there’s no reason why Elsie can’t do a little hugging and kissing with him.
Smart Elsie facepalmed.
Shoving their unhelpful voices away, I looked at Aunt Jo across the pumpkin patch. While it would have been smart to quit before something serious happened, his aunthadinvited me to help, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.
Hello, people-pleaser.Smart Elsie crooned.
Hush, you. Just let her enjoy the rest of her time with the hunk.
Wow, I need to see a therapist,I thought to myself.
Jameson’s eyes locked on me, likely studying every ridiculous expression crossing my face as Smart and Smitten Elsie battled in my mind. The deep hazel was mesmerizing, and my foot stepped forward of its own accord, bringing me closer to him.
The corners of his lips twitched as he glanced at my feet then back at my face.
“I’d like to help,” I finally said, kicking Smart Elsie away for a moment.
His face lit up with surprise, followed by a sly smile. “Aunt Jo is relentless. Are you sure you want to put yourself through that?”
Smart Elsie would have said no, and walked away right then. Smart Elsie would have nipped these dates in the bud and never seen Jameson again. Smart Elsie would have protected her heart at all costs.
But Smart Elsie was currently smothered by Smitten Elsie.
So I gave a small smile and nodded. “Let’s go help your aunt.”
Jameson
Icouldn’t get Elsie’s face out of my mind—the one that told me she wanted to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss her. If it weren’t for the fact that she was clumsy, giving me a reason to be close enough in the first place, I never would have tried. Not on a first date. But when she started to fall, my body simply reacted. And when she wasright thereon top of me, her face inches from mine, all I could think of was pressing my lips to hers.
Until Aunt Jo interrupted and ruined the moment.
