“Oh.” Well, this is incredibly awkward. She was going for a chaste cheek kiss, and I just ran my tongue against her teeth. “Um…”
My lips are still burning from the plumper, and I try to think of a good excuse for how I reacted.
“It was reflex?”
A myriad of emotions flits across her face before she leans back against her seat. “It’s probably good we kissed.”
“It is?” Apparently, all I can do right now is blurt out questions.
“Yes. When we’re around your family, they’re going to expect to see us comfortable with each other. They might even expect us to kiss.”
“Good point.” I let out a big breath of air. “And how was that?”
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are twinkling as she taps a finger against her chin. “I don’t know. I’d rate it a five out of ten.”
“A five?!” I have the overwhelming urge to lean over there and kiss her until she gives me a ten.
She winks at me, and I have the sinking feeling that I’m the only one affected by that kiss.
“Maybe it’s that lip-burning stuff,” I mumble.
A door slams, and Lucy jumps out of the car and waves to someone parked farther behind us.
She leans back in the car and says in a panicked voice, “It’s Willa and Kingston.”
“Do you think they saw us?”
Lucy glances over her shoulder. “Nah, she doesn’t look shocked. I think we’re okay.”
“You and I are going to talk about this when we get home.”
Her jaw drops open at that, and I laugh as the shocked look turns into a scowl.
“You’d better watch yourself, Granger,” she threatens as she steps away from the car and slams the door.
I wait a full thirty seconds before I climb out of the car. I need to at least be breathing at a regular rate. Who knew a little kiss would send my heart rate sky high?
I greet Kingston with a slap on the shoulder. We’re not huggers. “Hey, I wondered if you were still alive.”
“We work together,” he deadpans.
“Yeah, except I’ve been stuck in the office lately and haven’t seen a hint of you.”
Kingston has the decency to look embarrassed. “Sorry about that. You’re right. I’ve left the boring stuff to you, haven’t I?”
I’m saved from answering because Margaret is at the door, waving for us to come in.
“We’re about to start the first round of poker! You’d better hurry!”
“Of course.” Willa laughs. “Knowing Margaret, it’s probably strip poker.”
Kingston and I clear our throats at the same time and share a look. That’s not something I care to think about.
We walk up the sidewalk to the porch, and I grab the door, holding it so the sisters can walk in first.
Kingston waits next to me.
“Did someone punch you in the mouth?” Kingston asks as he looks at me.
