Page 42 of Bourbon Bliss
I opened the refrigerator door and winced at the emptiness that greeted me. I had an almost-empty container of half-and-half, a few condiments, and a pepperoni roll I’d brought home yesterday.
When I’d first arrived in Bootleg, I’d had a number of surprise visitors showing up at my door bearing casseroles and desserts. Between that and takeout, I’d kept myself well fed.
However, supplies were running low, and my steady stream of neighbors who seemed interested in feeding me had dwindled. At home, Andrea had ordered my groceries for me. It had been easier that way. She knew my schedule, so she’d planned my meals, and made sure I had what I needed for the days I’d be in town. A part-time cook had prepared everything. I’d never needed to worry about making sure I had food around, just grabbed what was there and heated it up.
Now that I wasn’t playing football—and I wasn’t home—I probably needed to start thinking about things like grocery shopping and meal planning.
For now, I had one of Clarabell’s pepperoni rolls. I took it out and popped it in the microwave.
Before I hit start, there was a knock on the front door. June poked her head in.
“Hello,” she said. “Can I come in?”
That girl. My blood ran a little hotter at just the sight of her face peeking inside.
“Hey, June Bug. Come on in.”
Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore a gray cardigan over a white t-shirt and jeans. She held up a brown paper bag. “I brought food. I apologize for not calling or texting first. Perhaps you’ve already eaten. But Cassidy said I could be spontaneous if it included food.”
“Your sister knows one of the primary ways to a man’s heart,” I said. “But you can stop by anytime, with or without a meal.”
June smiled. Every time she did that, I wanted to do a touchdown dance. I already knew June didn’t give that smile to just anyone. I liked being the guy who got to enjoy it.
I liked being the guy who got to enjoyher.
She came into the kitchen and I took the bag, setting it down on the counter. I slipped my arms around her and pulled her close. Leaned down and found her lips with mine.
Thoughts ran through my mind. Thoughts about June, and Bootleg, and maybe—just maybe—not going home to Philly anytime soon.
But June and I hadn’t had that sort of conversation yet. We hadn’t put a label on this, and I wasn’t sure how she was feeling about us.
I pulled away, keeping my arms around her waist. “It’s good to see you.”
“Although it’s been less than twenty-four hours since we were together, I was feeling a strong desire to be in your presence.”
I kissed the tip of her freckled nose. “You missed me.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true,” she said, as if the notion surprised her.
Hell, maybe it did.
I gave her another quick kiss and let go of her so I could pull out the food she’d brought. The smell made my stomach rumble.
“What have you been up to today?” I asked as I fished out a container of mashed potatoes.
June got plates out of the cupboard. I noticed she didn’t ask where they were—she’d made herself at home—and that little detail made me smile.
“I worked until four. Then I had a meeting with Lula. She’s looking to expand her business.”
“Are you helping her out?”
She nodded, grabbing silverware out of a drawer. “I often invest in businesses in town. I make more money than I need for myself, and I have an understanding of financial matters that some small business owners lack. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“Sounds like it. What’s Lula’s business?”
“She owns the best spa in town. I helped her with her business plan last year and the results were even better than projected. She’d like to reinvest the profits.”
“That’s awesome.”
