When We Kiss

Somehow, Daisy’s nervousness cancels out mine. “Well, you picked the perfect time. She’s at a cake decorating class in Brookhaven. She’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Oh… okay.” She looks down at her feet again, tucking the catalog under her arm. “I’ll check in with her then, I guess.”

“What’s your favorite cake, Melly?” Coco is holding the little girl’s hand, trying to get her to talk. “Mine’s mermaid.”

I can’t even imagine what her mom has come up with to make a mermaid cake. Returning to Daisy, I decide maybe it’s time to bury the hatchet. I don’t give a shit about Travis anymore anyway.

“I can take the order now if you want? I have the keys. Somebody left Molly the Dolly in her mom’s apartment upstairs.”

I tilt my head down to Miss Priss, who’s holding Melody’s hand and trying to walk her to the pack-n-save. Melody’s fussing and twisting her arm, trying to get out of Coco’s grip.

“Oh, no! I mean, that’s okay. I can wait and call tomorrow. Or walk over on Monday. I don’t have to bother you.” Daisy looks up ahead to where her daughter has sat down on the porch in front of Wyatt’s hardware store. “I’d better help Coco.”

I look up to see Coco trying to get the baby to stand. Melody only waves her chubby arms and squeals.

“Hey,” I catch Daisy’s skinny arm. “It’s okay for us to be friends again. I mean, we can say hi and stuff.”

Daisy and I never really hung out together. In fact, you could’ve knocked my socks off when I found out Travis was sleeping around with her. The sleeping around part… well, I probably saw that coming a mile away, but not with Daisy.

She meets my eyes, and her brown ones are so sad. “Okay.” She nods, looking down again. “Have you… Do you ever hear from him?”

“Are you kidding me? If that jackhole knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay far away from this town. I might go Lorena Bobbitt on his…” Catching myself, I remember I’ve got Coco, the Mouth of the South, with me. “You know.”

Thin blonde eyebrows shoot up, and she looks away again fast, to the little girl who’s squealing angrily and with more force at the persistent Coco. “I’d better get Melody before Wyatt comes out.”

She scampers away, up the connected porches, and I put my hand on my hip. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Daisy Sales fell pretty hard for Travis “Cheater” Walker. I’m not sure what to make of it. With a shrug, I follow her. Nothing to make of it.

“Come on, Coo-coo. You’ve bothered this baby enough.” I catch her hand, and give her a gentle tug. “Let’s get some food.”

She takes my hand and resumes skipping, swinging Molly as she sings. “Mac and cheese. If you please…”

“Tabb-ay!” André hollers out my name as I enter the store. “You’re looking good for fresh off a night of debauchery.”

I look around fast, but nobody’s here but us. “Who told you that?”

“And Miss Coco Chanel!” He starts to laugh, looking up at me. “Who do you think? Our very own Uber hot line.”

Jimmy Rhodes. I’m going to strangle him. “Isn’t gossiping about your clients against some Uber rule?”

“You have to take that up with the management. Now what can I get for you ladies?”

“Mac and cheese… If you please!” Coco hops in place, doing her little cheer fist-pump over her head. I’m still trying to recover from the blaze of fury i

n my chest at Jimmy’s big mouth.

“One mac and cheese poboy, coming right up! And what can I get for you?” André turns to me.

“That’s a thing?” My eyebrows rise, and I peruse the menu, trying to decide. “I just had chicken salad last night…”

“I made it for you.” He nods, still acting like he’s in on some big secret.

Good grief. The last thing I want is to be the center of this goofy little town’s attention. I can just see Betty Pepper and all her old church-lady friends going to town about this one. Me stealing their hunky hunky Eagle Scout and corrupting him… As if.

“I’ll have—”

The bell above the door rings, cutting me off. André calls out again. “My boy Chad. Look who’s here!”

Nerves fly through my insides, and I spin around to see Deputy Sex standing right there on the landing. Damn, he looks good even in clothes, especially when that friendly smile curls his lips, and that dimple appears. Holy shit.