“Yeah?” she sighed, blinking her eyes open.
“That was amazing. Any chance I can do that whenever I want today?”
She nodded, licking her lips. He lifted her chin with his fingers and looked deep into her eyes.
“You need to say it, Rosebud. I need to hear you say it.”
“You can kiss me …”
“Good.” He sealed his mouth to hers again.
She tapped his chest until he broke the kiss. “But fair is fair. If you can, I can.”
His heart nearly jumped out of his chest. “Of course. Only fair.”
“Good.” And then the sly vixen kissed him.
Beach Day hadn’t even officially started yet, and already, it was Parker’s new favorite Half Moon Key holiday.
TEN
JADE
Jade was walking on a cloud made of happiness and kisses.
This was by far the best Beach Day ever, and that included the one when she was ten. She got a new bike that day,andthe fireworks had been dedicated to her because she had won a mathlete contest at the end of the school year.
This topped that.
Sorry, little Jade. I know you love that memory, but trust me, this is a thousand times better. Parker Dawson is kissing me every two damn minutes, and I am just so totally here for it. You would be too if you were older. Damn. Day-um!
“Are you okay?” Mom asked, frowning with concern. “You’re all red. You’re flushed, honey.” She placed her hand on her daughter’s forehead as if to check Jade’s temperature.
She pushed her hand away with a laugh. “Mom, stop. I’m fine.”
“Well, something’s got you all turned around. You’ve been planning this party since you were a kid. No way you’re stressed. This is something else. Fever? Food poisoning? I told Mrs. Francis her egg salad was off. You didn’t eat any, did you?”
“Mom,” Jade looked around. “I’ll tell you later. Be cool.”
Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “Oh,” she clapped her hands together, “it’s about a boy. It’s Parker, isn’t it? My evil, genius plan worked. You two hit it off, and now, you’re all flushed.” She did a little dance. “I’m gonna have grandbabies after all!”
Jade rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, Mom.” But she was laughing. How could she not? Her mother was one of her favorite people in the world, and seeing her happy was always a good thing, even when it was a little bit out of proportion.
“Look, we get along, and we might have kissed a couple …”hundred“… times.”
“And? Oh, don’t tell me. That’s weird to ask. But oh, look. Here he comes. You go, honey. Get that handsome man to take you out on a date.”
“Mrs. Curran,” Parker greeted. “Jade. How are we enjoying the festivities?”
“It’s lovely. I knew it would be. My girl knows her stuff. She’s a good planner. Good head on her shoulders. Her father and I are so proud of the young woman she’s grown into. You know, my Jade is loved in this town. If anyone ever messed with her, I’m sure the elders and just about everybody else would be very upset with that!”
“Mom,” Jade warned. “Seriously?” she said under her breath.
Her mother shrugged before waving at them. “I need to find your father. I’ll leave you two kids to it. Night!” she ran off, looking over her shoulder a couple of times.
There was no way around it. Her mother knew that something was definitely happening with Parker.
There would be no doubt for anyone else in town too.