“For the pups,” Coop agreed.
“Can I help you get this loaded?” I asked.
“That would be great.” Zina hefted the top bag into her arms, being careful not to lose any kibble through the hole Cooper had cut into it.
I grabbed a bag under my arm and tossed one over my shoulder, then followed her out to the truck. “He seems like a nice guy.”
“He is. Too nice. The man would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him for it.”
I didn’t need the shirt off anyone’s back, but I did need to rally the people of Ido if I wanted to make good on my promise to be ready in time for the Munyon wedding. “Is he any good at wrangling penguins?”
Zina scoffed. “You can’t be serious about trying to make that date.”
“What’s the alternative? You said yourself that if I back out now, I risk them pulling out of the wedding. I can’t afford to have that happen.” I hung my head. “Not to mention y’all are counting on me.”
“Wait. What’s that?” Zina cocked her head to one side as she set the bag down on the tailgate.
“What?” I let the bags fall from my grip and slid them to the front of the bed.
“Is that the sound of a heartbeat? I wasn’t sure you had one in there.” She poked at my chest.
I captured her hand in mine. “I’m not some heartless money-grubber who’s only out to make a buck, you know.”
“Good.” She squeezed my hand. “Then you’d better start recruiting. Coop’s devotion can be bought pretty easily. He’s a sucker for a good fried catfish dinner down at the Burger Bonanza.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“What are you a sucker for?” I caught her other hand in mine and held them both together. “You’re the one who can make or break this.”
Her chest rose and fell as she took in a slow breath. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
“Don’t kid yourself. I’ve seen the way you get things done. Folks around town notice it, too. They’ve got nothing but praise for you.”
Her jaw clenched. “You’ve been asking around about me?”
“Nothing bad. Just wanted to know who I was getting involved with.”
“Oh, now we’re involved?” She eyed me through those long lashes, and I wondered what they’d feel like fluttering against my cheek. Or better yet, my chest.
I took a half step closer until only a few inches separated us. “Would you like to be?”
The moment stretched, my heartbeat pounding through my ears.
Her gaze lingered on my lips, and she opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but then closed it just as fast.
Every part of me screamed not to fuck up the fragile alliance I had going with the one woman I needed to help me succeed. Every part of me but one.
“I’d like to kiss you now. Would that be okay?” I couldn’t believe I had the nerve to utter the words.
Zina lifted her gaze to meet mine. She nodded, the movement so slight, I wasn’t sure if she meant it.
Only one way to find out. I leaned in, brushing my nose against hers. My breath caught at the contact.
She angled her head, lifting her mouth to meet mine. Our lips touched. My whole world spun out of control as I reached behind her, cupping the back of her head with my palm. She tasted like the peppermints we’d grabbed from the candy dish on Lacey’s desk on our way out.
Before I could take the kiss deeper, a horn blared, reminding me we were standing on the side of the road.
