Page 49 of Whisk Me Away

"Hey, Peach," Brant whispered as he drew in a deep breath. "I missed you."

Laughing, I leaned my head against his chest to look up at his face. "You saw me yesterday."

The corner of his lips tugged as if fighting a smile. "You're right,” he leaned in to give me a kiss. "It's been way too long."

The smile he was holding back finally broke free, and my stomach did a summersault. I would never grow tired of having his charming smile aimed my way.

"Your booth looks great. You know I'm going to have to buy one of those blueberry crumble muffins,” he arched his thick brows at me.

"Oops, you never got one of the ones you baked the other day, did you?" I giggled.

"Nope,” he replied, giving me a mock scowl.

“Hey! It’s not my fault you forgot about a meeting and had to rush away. But if it's any consolation, they were amazing,” I grimaced, only feeling a little guilty for eating two of them after he left that day.

The arm wrapped around my middle tightened as his fingers dug into my side. An involuntary screech flew from my mouth.

"Brant! Stop!" I gasped, trying to wiggle out of his hold. It was useless, though, because he had me in a vice grip.

"Okay! Okay! Take them all. I didn't want them anyway!" I managed to get out through my laughter. "Just stop…tickling me!"

Brant's hold on me loosened. By the time I caught my breath, Brant was standing in front of the basket overflowing with muffins.

"Hey, Eden,” Brant's deep voice called out.

"Hi, Brant. How are you?" Eden replied.

They exchanged pleasantries, and Eden made faces and danced around every time Brant turns his attention to me. Then, when he turned back to her, I waved my hands around, trying to get her to stop.

I slapped my palm to my forehead harder than intended, drawing Brant's attention.

"You good, Peach?" Brant's knowing smirk made me realize he knew precisely what Eden and I had been doing behind his back.

Heat slowly crawled up my neck and settled in my cheeks.

"Mmhmm. All good,” I gave him two thumbs up like I was in elementary school.

Smooth, Karis.I wanted to slam my palm against my forehead again.

Brant chuckled as he grabbed his wallet from the back pocket of his uniform pants. He pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and placed it in my hand.

"Brant, no! That's too much,” I tried shoving the bill back towards him, but he just shook his head and stole another muffin.

"You deserve it. These muffins are delicious,” he leaned in and stole a chaste kiss before sauntering down the sidewalk.

I was left standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a giant, goofy smile.

"Hellooo! Earth to Karis!" Eden called, bringing me out of the trance I was in.

I shook my head slowly, trying to unscramble my brain after that encounter with Brant.

"Sorry. What?" I mumbled as I made my way under the tent.

Eden gave me an exasperated sigh. "I said, when did that happen?” She pointed at me and then looked over to where Brant was standing on the opposite side of the road, talking to Sunny.

I gave her a sheepish smile, knowing I should have called her after he showed up at the bakery a week ago.

"Only like a week ago,” I tried to sound nonchalant, but I should have known Eden wouldn't buy it.