"You have to kiss him."
I nearly choked on my lemonade.
Mrs. Jenkins nodded.
"Absolutely."
Doris looked offended that this was even a discussion.
"He's hopeless."
"Completely hopeless," Betty agreed.
I looked toward the fence.
Toward Beast.
Toward the man who had literally fought criminals for me.
But apparently couldn't manage one kiss.
"He might have a heart attack."
Mrs. Jenkins snorted.
"Then kiss him gently."
The women burst into laughter.
I covered my face.
This town.
Honestly.
Across the pasture, Beast glanced over.
Immediately.
Like he could somehow sense when I was looking at him.
His eyes met mine.
And just like that, everything else disappeared.
The noise.
The laughter.
The world.
Just him and me.
The way it always seemed to be lately. Like when we were younger.
My stomach fluttered.
The giant idiot smiled.
