Page 42 of Real Good Love
Banner’s head whips around from the window to face me, her eyebrow raised. “I bet we could give them a run for their money if we tried tonight.”
“Easy now. We’ll get plenty of attention without even trying. You do remember the bowling alley ...”
The amusement fades from Banner’s expression. “Okay, fine. I’ll be on my best behavior. I’m not saying I wasn’t then, but I refuse to leave tonight needing another bag of tater tots.”
Her shiner is barely visible today, at least not with makeup hiding the fading colors.
“I think that’s a good plan, babe. I’ll buy you a beer, feed you some barbecue, and we can people watch before I take you home and keep you up most of the night.”
“Deal.”
She winks as we slow to wait for the parade traffic to turn left and park in various lots up the next block. We take another left and pull into the alley behind my shop to unhook the float. One of the kids’ dads will be by to tow it away later.
Outside Cut a Bitch, Julianne has a big table, and all her stylists are handing out flyers and little pink bags to the people walking by.
After we park, I help Banner out of the cab, and all the high school kids hop off the float and head toward the food. I wrap an arm around my woman and steer her in the same direction.
Julianne waves when she sees us. “Nice cover-up job!”
Banner salutes her, but the makeup doesn’t hide the pink her cheeks are taking on. “Jesus Christ, it’s been a week already. How long do you think it’ll take before people forget about that?”
I look down at her. “Do you want the truth or do you want me to lie?”
Her brows draw together. “I’m not sure.”
I try to keep the smile off my face. “I’m sure they’ll forget by next weekend.”
She pulls away, or at least attempts it, but I’m not letting her go anywhere. “You’re lying. No one is ever going to forget, are they?”
“Probably not, but look at it this way. It’s unlikely anyone else is going to try to take you on. You held your own.”
Banner rolls her eyes. “I got my ass kicked. I probably need a rematch so I can redeem myself.”
“Whoa, cage fighter. I think once was enough.”
“I don’t care if her brother’s dad is really her new used-to-be-sister. Or whatever. If she comes at me again—”
I cup the side of Banner’s face and press my thumb to her lips, trying not to laugh. “Nowthatyou don’t have to worry about. And she won’t.”
Banner closes her eyes for a beat before meeting mine. “Moving on.”
“Good. How do you feel about barbeque?”
She presses a hand to her stomach. “Feed me. I need all the food.”
“That I can do.”
We make our way through the line, filling our tray with barbeque, baked potatoes, corn, and pie. Once our plates are full, we find seats across from each other at the end of one of the picnic tables under the tents covering Main Street.
“I’m going to grab some beer. You want one?”
Banner taps the bottle of water she picked up in line. “I’m good. I forgot for a hot second that I don’t actually like beer. Besides, this way I can drive if you need me to.”
“Fair enough.” I give her a nod before heading up to the crew serving beer in the next tent. The line moves quickly, which isn’t surprising because Nicole is working.
“Hey, Logan, what’ll you have?”
“Whatever’s good tonight.”
