The Lucky in Love Collection - Lauren Blakely Page 0,77

I say as Vanessa takes her turn. “They were into each other, the kind of into that leads to tabs going into slots. But it turns out they were simply practicing for this kissing contest fundraiser in Whiskey Hollows, in the marathon division, they said. My boss is entering the contest too.”

“Ooh, the chief of police will be competing,” Vanessa quips.

“And he wants our precinct to win. Don’t get me wrong—I love how the wine-country towns have banded together since the fires to raise money for those on the front lines, but I can’t imagine wanting to make out with somebody for that long. Eventually you’ll run out of spit.”

“Or interest.” Vanessa snags her phone and taps the screen. “But there are other categories. My sister and I were talking about it the other night. You can enter the marathon one, you can do sweetest kiss, or even the most passionate kiss category. And attendees bid on who they think will win each category—that’s where the money comes from. If you bid correctly, you win prizes donated by local businesses. But all the money raised goes to first responders.” Her eyes light up as she scans her phone. “Ooh, they have a category for the best reenactment of a movie kiss or book kiss. I’ll have to mention the book kiss to Ella.” Vanessa’s sister is the town librarian.

Arden pumps a fist. “Book kisses for the win.”

I peer over Vanessa’s shoulder at the phone, reading the details. “That’s a good reason to make out, come to think of it.”

Arden gives me a quizzical stare. “Is there someone you want to enter a kissing contest with? Maybe have a kissing marathon with and give that couple a run for their money?”

I scoff. “Like who?”

“Oh, I don’t know. How about that guy Toby you went out with a few weeks ago?” She heads to the end of the lane and sends the ball down the hardwood.

“The hotel clerk? He was nice and all . . .”

“But not enough bad boy in him?” Vanessa teases. My girls know me so well.

I laugh. “Yeah, duh.”

After knocking eight pins, Arden squeezes my shoulder and adopts a serious voice and meets Vanessa’s gaze. “Vanessa, have you met our friend Perri? She only likes bad boys.”

I raise a finger. “Correction. I like the look of bad boys. I don’t mind if they’re actually good underneath the bearded, inked, and smoking hot exterior.”

The guy on the bike has the audacity to invade my thoughts. He keeps doing that.

“Talk about specific.” Arden laughs. “Sounds like you’re describing the hottie you pulled over the other day.”

“Oh, gee. Was I? I hadn’t realized,” I say playfully, since I told them about Mr. Speedy.

“Have you looked him up?” Vanessa asks.

I don’t know a thing about Derek McBride, except that he’s someone who moved to town to help out his sister, or so he said. “No, I’m not going to look him up,” I scoff.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not going to pick up someone I pulled over. And I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone, since I have a promotion to focus on.”

“Fine. But you should still enter the kissing contest,” Vanessa says as Arden finishes her frame.

“Who would I enter it with? Whether I do the marathon, the reenactment, or the most passionate, it doesn’t matter. Jump the recording back ten seconds—I’m not involved with anyone, and I don’t want to be involved right now.”

Vanessa stares at me. “Please, girl. You don’t need to be involved to enter a kissing marathon. Plus, I bet you can find someone who’d lock lips with you for a good cause. In fact, why don’t we have a little gentlewoman’s bet and see who can raise the most money for charity?”

“In a kissing contest?” I ask. “Arden’s totally going to reenact Scarlett and Rhett, right?”

Arden stares down her nose. “There are many fantastic book kisses. The Great Gatsby. Romeo and Juliet. The elevator kiss in Fifty Shades.”

“It can be whatever, as long as it’s a competition and it raises money for a charity,” Vanessa adds. “That’s what we want—any sort of contest. That’s what we can do for this year’s birthday gifts.”

The three of us decided a few years ago not to give each other birthday gifts. All through grade school, middle school, and high school we did, but now we’re adults, and we don’t need gifts from each other. Instead, we donate or raise money for some sort of charity. We all have fall birthdays,