She nodded slowly. “Question.”
“Shoot.”
“If you constantly think people who are interested in you only want your family’s money, what’s so different about me?”
My grin was lopsided. “Because your dad is rich as balls.”
Halley choked on her laughter. “So rich he owns this house outright and makes me pay rent!”
“No. Really?”
“Yep. Says it’s his job to make me a well-rounded person.” She lifted her hands and did the birdie thing with her fingers when she said, ‘well-rounded.’
“It’s working, for what it’s worth.”
“I know. It’s really annoying.”
I laughed and rested my arm along the back of the swing. I was about to open my mouth to say something when there was a shuffle by the porch steps that drew my attention.
Halley leaned over. “Hey, Boris.”
Three raccoons sat the bottom of the steps, looking up expectantly. One of them was significantly bigger than the others, and I glanced at my rucksack.
“Sandwich time?”
She nodded. “Put them all out. Boris is greedy.”
I couldn’t believe I was doing this.
I got up and retrieved the rest of the sandwiches from my backpack. Carefully, I unpacked them and set them in the metal bowl that was built-in to the porch. I’d barely put the last one down when the three animals all rushed me, almost tripping me up.
Halley rolled her eyes. “So greedy.”
I laughed and sat back down, giving the swing a push with my foot. “Can you believe the booth is over tomorrow?”
“No. It doesn’t seem like it’s been a week.” She paused. “I will be glad to get back to my normal life, though.”
“I’ll be glad to not have to kiss like fifty people every single day. And not have anyone try to touch my cock.”
She snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far. Lindsay has been actively trying to get in your pants for years.”
“And she never will.”
“Amen to that.”
I grinned and slid across the swing to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. We sat like that for a few minutes, neither of us saying a word. The raccoons were noisy little bastards, eating and squeaking at each other, but there was something so peaceful about the moment.
It felt like that turning point. The one where I admitted that I didn’t just have a crush on Halley. I wasn’t just attracted to her anymore.
I had real feelings for her.
It was strange to think that we’d both had a crush on the other and never done anything about it. Now, it was all different. Tonight alone I’d learned more about her than I had in years.
I wanted to know even more.
“Does this count as the second date?” I asked, finally breaking the silence.
Halley paused for a moment. “I think so. Why? Are you already considering a third?”
“No,” I said honestly.
“Are the raccoons too much?”
I glanced over at Boris who’d made himself comfortable on one of the chairs and was lying spread-eagle on it. Turning to Halley, I took her chin in my hand and smiled. “No. I’m thinking that a third date just delays the inevitable.”
“Which is?”
“Us actually dating for real.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Ten days ago we could barely stand to be around each other, and now you’re proposing we be in a real relationship?”
“Does it matter? I know I have feelings for you, Halley. I know what I want.”
She blushed, dipping her head slightly, but she didn’t take her eyes from mine. “Are you seriously asking me out when we still have one entire day of kissing other people to get through?”
Shit. “You’re right. I’ll ask again tomorrow.”
“You do that.” Her lips twitched. “Doesn’t mean I’ll say yes.”
“You’ll say yes. I’ll bug you every day until you do.”
“That’s how you get a restraining order, not a girlfriend.”
“You won’t get a restraining order on me. I’ll set Aunt Bethel on you.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, Jesus, she’s going to be here tomorrow with my grandma, isn’t she? To judge the talent show?”
I nodded, grimacing. My Great Aunt Bethel was… special. She was a real character. With blue hair and a penchant for loud muumuus and jingly bracelets on her wrists.
She was also eighty-eight and believed her age gave her the God-given right to say whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.
“I am so not ready for this,” Halley muttered.
“It will be fun when she sees that I’ve beaten you, though.”
She shot me a withering look. “In your dreams. I’m winning tomorrow.”
“We’ll see.” I tapped her nose.
She reached up and returned the gesture. “I’m not a cat. Don’t boop me.”
I grinned and cupped the back of her neck, pulling her toward me and kissing her. Her lips were soft, and she leaned into me as I held my mouth against hers for a long second.
Yep.
The feelings were very, very real.
CHAPTER TWENTY – HALLEY
Age Is Just A Number
“Grandma, that outfit is not acceptable for the talent show.”
Grandma looked down at the sequin-covered minidress she was wearing. “Why not? I think I look like a sparkly flapper.”