The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,46
far likes you.”
She blinked, long lashes fluttering against her delicate skin. “Really? Never mind. I don’t care. It makes me sound pathetic if I care.”
“Caring isn’t pathetic,” he told her, needing her to believe it for both their sakes. Gray knew the downfall of his marriage had been caring too damn much. He’d spent more than his fair share of time feeling pitiful as a result.
“Do you care what people think of you?” she asked without looking at him.
He leaned in closer. “I care what you think.”
The corners of her lips curved as she turned, almost tentatively pressing her mouth to his.
Based on her reaction to their first kiss, he let her lead. The last thing he wanted to do was spook her, even if the maddeningly slow place made him ten kinds of crazy. She explored him as if she had all the time in the world, nipping at his bottom lip.
When she pulled back, he remained still, hoping that the desire in her eyes meant she wasn’t already having second thoughts.
“Another mistake?” he asked softly.
She shook her head but said, “I don’t want to want you.”
“And yet?”
“I do.”
“I’m glad.” He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“What’s next?” She glanced around as if she expected a bed to appear in the middle of the empty alley.
He chuckled. “Are you in a hurry?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m not.” He slanted his head and claimed her mouth. He wanted to reassure her but at the same time he couldn’t help deepening the kiss.
They broke apart when Spot let out a series of yapping barks.
A couple of kids chased a ball into the mouth of the alley. They didn’t notice Avery and Gray, but still the spell had been broken.
“I should go,” she told him.
“Are you meeting up with your sisters at the festival?”
“My sisters,” she repeated. “It’s strange to hear them referred to that way out loud. I should head home.” She cleared her throat. “Back to the carriage house.”
“Without spending any time at Summer Fair?”
She shrugged. “It feels weird walking around by myself. Like I should be carrying a sign that says Outsider.”
“Come with me,” he urged gently.
“Where’s Violet?”
Gray felt his shoulders go stiff and forced himself to relax. “She’s with her mom in Raleigh until tomorrow. I asked Stacy to bring her for the parade, but she refused.”
“That sucks,” Avery said simply.
“It does indeed. It also means I’ve got no one to hang out with today.”
“You must have a million friends. You grew up here and you work for the fire department. Firefighters always have tons of buddies.”
“Is that some kind of rule?”
She grinned and, once again, his heart lurched. “That’s how they make it seem in all the TV shows. The department is one big, happy family.”
“Mostly true, but a lot of them have their own families. At least the ones that will be at the festival this early.”
“The single men on the prowl come out at night?”
“I’m not sure I’d phrase it like that.”
“You’re single.”
“I have Violet, so I don’t date.”
“Is that a rule?”
“Only for me.”
“You’re a good dad, Gray.”
“I try.” Her words fluttered through him like butterfly wings. “I’ll bring Violet down tomorrow after Stacy drops her off. Today, I’d like to show you around. Fairs and festivals are the cornerstone of small-town life. You need an appropriate tour guide to really get the most out of your experience.”
“Lead on, Mr. Magnolia,” she said, straightening from the step. The dog got to its feet as well when Avery untied the leash. “Could our first stop be Meredith’s booth? Spot might be thirsty.” She patted the dog’s smooth head. “Do you need a drink, pretty girl?”
“Sure,” he agreed, somewhat dazed at the contradictions of Avery Keller and how enamored