“Is it?”I ask before remembering I’m supposed to know what it tastes like.After all, I made it, didn’t I?Or at least, that’s what everyone thinks.
“Yeah.”John ladles a big scoop of chili into a paper cup as I finish the chili from the last stand so I won’t have to juggle two samples at once.Tossing the empty cup into the trash, I take the new chili from John and examine what’s inside.Tomato.Peppers.Chunks of sausage and ground beef.It looks…amazing.I take a bite and close my eyes as the flavors explode along my taste buds.Smoke.Paprika.Chili Powder.“Ohmigosh.”My eyes pop, and I press my free hand to my lips.
Reggie and John laugh before Reggie nudges Bryan with his elbow.“And she’s humble, too.”
“Sorry,” I rush out.I wipe the corner of my mouth with my thumb.“It’s just…every time I make this recipe, it hits different, you know?And I didn’t have a chance to try it before Ford dropped it off, so?—”
“Oh, yeah.Ford’s a nice guy,” John says.
“The best,” I agree, surprising myself when I realize I mean it.Ford?The best?If Violet or Lexie overheard me, they’d be appalled.
“And then, to come and support, too?”John continues.He shakes his head, clearly impressed.
Registering his words, I pull back, letting the spoon hover an inch from my lips.
He’s here?Ford?Why?How?
“Didn’t know Hardens were decent human beings,” John adds dryly.
Reggie cuts him off.“Speak of the devil.Hey, Ford!”Reggie waves at someone behind me.
I glance over my shoulder, caught off guard by the conversation in general, let alone a certain someone striding toward me with a confidence that isn’t only off-putting but sexy as hell.How does Ford do it?How does he carry himself like that?With so much confidence, I’m pretty sure he could part the Red Sea with a single step.Add in the way he pushes his sandy brown hair away from his face before tacking on a head nod to Reggie and John like they’re best friends despite having only met earlier today, and I’m confused and a little turned on andsuperconfused.
“Hey, June Bug,” he greets me.He looks me up and down.“You look good.”I tug at the hem of my lavender hoodie, feeling more underdressed than when Bryan commented on it.Not that it matters.“You lookbetter,” he clarifies.
Oh.Right.Yeah, that makes more sense than any other version ofgoodI could’ve landed on.
“I feel better,” I answer.
“That’s good.”His eyes fall to the chili in my cup.“Love the chili, by the way.Beautifulanda chef?”His attention flicks to the man beside me.“Seems she’s the whole package.”
“Don’t I know it.”Bryan’s arm squeezes around me, plastering me into his side even more until it’s almost hard to breathe.Part of me can’t help but wonder if he’s marking his territory or if he really does want to be this close to me.Is it an act?A public display of affection?Or would he have his arm around me like this even if we were the only two people here?Does it even matter?And why do I feel…off?
Ford slips a ticket to Reggie.“I’ll take one cup.Thanks.”
“Sure thing.”Reggie dishes out a large scoop into a paper cup, then hands it to Ford.
“Thanks, man.”
As Ford takes the cup, a feminine voice calls, “Ford!You coming or what?”
Tension spreads along my spine.I follow the sound, finding a gorgeous woman waving at Ford.Oh.Okay, I should’ve seen this coming.Of course, he isn’t here alone.Why would he be?With a simple snap of his fingers, he’d probably have a whole lineup of gorgeous girls who would happily be his plus one for an evening.And just because I happened to fill that role last night while sicker than a dog doesn’t mean anything.Honestly, I should be grateful.For the reminder.The evidence of why whatever I’m feeling toward a certain someone is not only unwarranted, but bad for my mental health, even if he does have a way of getting under my skin.
“Guess that’s my cue,” Ford announces.He lifts the chili sample in a silent cheers motion at me.“See you around.”
I open my mouth to reply when Bryan cuts me off.
“Thanks again for taking care of my girl last night,” Bryan says.“Next time, you can call me, and I’ll take it from there.”
“And why would I do that?”Ford counters.“A girl like June isn’t someone you hand off, am I right?”He offers a mock salute with his plastic spoon, then turns to me again.“Glad you’re feeling better, June Bug.”
“See you, Ford,” I return.I don’t know if he hears me.He’s already halfway across the path.I don’t like it, though.This feeling.It doesn’t even make sense.My brows pull as I watch him walk further away before I peek up at Bryan.Why do I feel guilty?I shouldn’t.I did nothing wrong.No one did.Not me, or Ford, or Bryan, or whoever Ford’s talking to or…
“I’ll, uh, I’ll be right back,” I announce.
“Where are you going?”Bryan asks.
“I forgot to tell Ford something.”
