Page 58 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Then, just as quickly as it started, he pulls back, pressing slow, delicious kisses to my lips.

“Hm, you were right.” He hums against my mouth. “Ten out of ten. Would definitely recommend.”

And then we both burst out laughing.

Chapter 20

Monty

A crack of thunder interrupts one of the best moments of my life. Penny’s eyes dart up to the sky and she frowns. “Is it supposed to rain?”

I snag my phone from my pocket, cursing myself when I see the forecast—a thunderstorm is supposed to be hitting in just a few minutes. Shit, it definitely didn’t say that when I checked last night.

“Ah fuck. We should probably head for the car.”

I step back, releasing a pinned Penny from the brick wall, and immediately hate the distance I’ve created between us.

Her cheeks are flushed, and her lips are swollen from our kiss. My pulse races at the memory—I’d like a repeat of every single second of that experience, but right now, it will have to wait. Grabbing her hand, I head for the car.

I text Vovo to let her know that plans have changed—Penny and I are going to have our picnic back at the house. Not exactly the afternoon in the park I’d planned, but we’ll work with it.

As old-school as Vovo is, she’s surprisingly good with texts and my phone lights up in the console a few seconds after we pull onto the road.

“Can you check that?” I say to Penny.

She glances at the phone and then eyes me again. “What if it’s something you don’t want me to see?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Richard never liked when I looked at his phone.”

“One, I’m not Dick,” I say for what feels like the thousandth time—though this might be the first time I’ve voiced it out loud. “And two, I asked you to look. I’m not hiding anything from you.”

“Sorry, you’re right.” She snorts. “Old scars and all.”

I soften at her words, reaching across to squeeze her thigh. “No apology necessary. Now read it to me.”

She smiles as she lifts my phone, and then giggles at whatever it is she sees on the screen.

“Out loud,” I remind her.

She’s still smiling when she angles herself toward me and reads.

“From Vovo. ‘Okay amor, I’ll leave a tray in the fridge. Forget the sandwiches, this is better. Put oven on for 350 and cook for thirty minutes. I have plans tonight at the senior center. Don’t wait up.’ ”

I laugh. “Plans at the senior center, huh?”

“Apparently.”

“So weird she didn’t mention them earlier.”

Penny glances at me. “You think she’s trying to make it so we’re alone tonight?”

I settle my hand back on her thigh and hum. “Maybe, Xuxuzinho. Maybe.”

And I’m not upset about it in the least.

***