Page 50 of Kissing for Keeps
“Not even.”
“We’re roasting alive in here, and our fingers are raw.” He taps on my phone to wake the screen. “It’s 9:30, and we’ve been at this for hours. Come on.” He stands up. “Let’s walk around. Get some fresh air. Eat some strawberries before they turn to mush.”
As nice as it sounds, I shake my head. “Madi gets here tomorrow. I really want to get these done.”
“Then you should take a break, or you’ll burn out. Madi wouldn’t want that. I promise.”
I use my forearm to wipe the sweat from my forehead. We’ve made good headway on the favors, but there’s still a lot to do. Jack’s not wrong, though. My back and butt both ache from sitting in this chair for so long. A short walk in the evening breeze won’t hurt, and we’ll come back rejuvenated.
“Fine.”
Jack gives me a hand to help me up. “’Atta girl.”
18
SIENA
With as far intothe summer as we are, it’s just shifting from twilight to dark when we step outside. Coming out was the right decision. The cottage must have been acting like an oven, since, warm as the night is, it’s cooler in the fresh air.
I roll my shoulders and take a deep breath. It even smells like summer: cut grass, fresh air, and strawberries.
Jack offers me a big, juicy berry from the container he’s holding, then takes one for himself. We bite into them in sync as we make our way along the path that leads past the keep and toward the gardens. The lights in the windows of the chateau contrast with the cool night sky and cast a warm glow on our path.
The whole scene is like something out of a movie—and not a dystopian thriller. Chateau Vidal screams romance. Right in my ear.
“We should probably talk bachelor party,” I say, dropping the leafy top into the empty side of the container.
Jack chuckles softly, glancing over at me with a smile. That dang smile.
“What?” I hurry to wipe the edge of my lip in case I’m dripping strawberry juice again. It’s one thing for him to touch my lips when we’re in a public market, surrounded by shop owners and tourists. Having him do that here in fairytale romance land would be… well, suffice it to say, my experience in political strategy has not equipped me to withstand the sorts of pressures this place has introduced into my life.
“You don’t know how to relax, do you?”
I scoff. “I’mamazingat relaxing.”
He cocks an eyebrow.
“What? Iam.Check with me after the wedding, and you’ll see.”
“Uh-huh.”
I shoot him a look. “The party is coming up really soon, Jack, and I have no idea what André was planning. Madi and Rémy get here tomorrow, and I want to be sure they see we have things under control.”
“Fine.” He shuts the strawberry container and takes it in one hand, facing me. “Let’s hash out the party details, but then?We’re going to relax properly.” He puts out a hand to shake on it, and I pinch my lips together.
It’s not that I don’t want to relax, but it makes me feel less guilty for hanging out with Jack if we talk shop on our break.
“Just fifteen minutes of relaxation,” he says, keeping his hand out.
I hesitate. Fifteen minutes… that’s reasonable. “Fine. After we settle on a solid plan for the bachelor party.”
He gives a nod, and I shake the devil’s very solid hand as he looks at me in a way that tells me I am way out of my depth here.
“So,” he says, turning away and continuing on the path. “Bachelor party. Let’s think…”
We’re almost to the little archway draped with greenery, and I eye it with suspicion. It’s beautiful in a surreal way—a way that makes me feel like I’m stepping into a different world. Right now, I need to stay with my feet planted firmly on Planet Earth.
Jack snaps. “Got it.”
