Page 86 of Moonshine Kiss
“Not like gun guns. Psychological warfare,” Jameson explained.
“When is she most vulnerable?” Gibson asked.
A slow grin stretched across my face. “When I’m kissin’ her.”
“Then keep kissin’ her. Every opportunity you get. Reach out and touch her every couple of minutes.” Gibson demonstrated by stroking his arm down Devlin’s.
“Dating here is very different than where I’m from,” Devlin observed, taking a big swallow of beer. “In Annapolis, you ask a woman out, take her to dinner, or an event. Talk about whether you’re compatible.”
“And that worked so well for you with Johanna,” Jonah said dryly.
Johanna was Devlin’s ex-wife who’d set her sights on higher aspirations and cheated her way out of their marriage. Scarlett had nearly come to blows with the woman and her string of pearls when she’d strolled into town demanding a second chance.
Devlin gave a shudder. “Okay, your way is definitely better. So how do we get Bowie and Cassidy together without costing her her job?”
“I’m all ears.”
Everyone shut up and drank, wheels turning.
“Cass wants to end up like her parents. Meanwhile, I can’t think of anything worse than ending up like ours,” I said, breaking the silence.
“You ever miss Mom?” Jameson asked quietly.
“Sometimes. Like when the leaves start changing. Remember how much she loved fall? She’d be in a good mood for as long as the leaves were changing.”
“Apple cider and hot dogs over the campfire for dinner,” Gibson said. I didn’t know my brother had any good memories of our childhood.
“Remember that time that Dad built the slingshot and we spent a whole weekend chucking pumpkins into the lake?” I asked.
“It wasn’t all bad,” Jameson said.
“It should have been a hell of a lot better,” Gibson said bitterly.
Sensing the turn in the mood, Jonah piped up. “Hey, what if you convinced Cass to secretly date you?”
I frowned. “What?”
“If no one knows you two are seeing each other then she can’t get canned for seeing you, can she?” he spelled it out.
“Jonah, you’ve been here a few months. How in the hell is anyone supposed to keep any secret ‘round here?” Jameson asked.
“Think about it, they already practically live together,” Jonah argued.
“And if you were hellbent on the dinner and a movie crap you could take her out of town,” Gibson added, stroking a hand over his chin.
“Isn’t sneaking around kind of high school?” I asked. “And I want more.”
“Do you love the girl?” Gibson asked.
I nodded.
“Are you stupid in love with the girl?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I was, and it felt damn good to say it.
“Then get her to say yes.”
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