Page 45 of Banter & Blushes #1

TIFFANY

“ T iff?” Genesis coos behind me. “Hello?”

“Yeah?”

“Think that’s clean?”

I drop my eyes to the counter. The spot by my cleaning rag is almost transparent. I sigh and move to the other side of the counter.

“While you were cleaning the counter, I washed the dishes and put up leftovers.”

I sigh and turn to Genesis. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day, is all.”

“It’s fine. I get it. If the guy I liked was just out of eyesight filming romantic scenes with a girl taller and tanner than me, I’d be in la-la land too.”

My body temperature spikes, and I give Genesis a tight-lipped glare. I’m not sure what makes me madder. The fact that she noticed I didn’t help clean up or the fact that she noticed the reason behind it.

If I said I didn’t like Colt, I’d be lying. Another lie would be that the tall girl acting like she likes Colt for the camera doesn’t bother me. And I don’t even want to consider the possibility that she really does likes him.

I swallow that like a hard pill and take another look at myself in the spick-and-span countertop. I’m cute and know how to dress to accentuate my best assets, but none of those include long limbs.

“I guess you don’t want to talk about it, so I’ll let you be.”

“Sorry.” I straighten my lips at Genesis. “It’s weird seeing him so much after all these years.”

“I’m sure.”

“I mean, I think about him from time to time, but that was pleasant memories from my younger years. I never expected to hang out with him again, but now?—”

Genesis widens her eyes and makes a throaty sound. Confused, I keep talking. “It’s like he’s back in my life . . .” My last few words trail off as she points behind me. I turn to see Colt in front of the truck.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hi.” I stand straighter to try and regain some dignity.

How long has he been standing there? And since when does Genesis not talk over me when she thinks I should hush?

“We just wrapped. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out some.”

“I . . .” Great, now my voice hangs up.

“She’d love to,” Genesis answers behind me.

“I need to run Genesis to her car.”

“I can take the food truck.”

I give her a warning glare.

“What? I won’t wreck it again.”

I shake my head.

“Fine. I can catch a ride home with Johnny.”

“Johnny?”

“The boom operator,” Genesis and Colt answer in unison.

“You know this Johnny?”

“Enough to ride with him.”

“He’s a good guy,” Colt adds.

“Besides, I made Roman jealous by going out with Jeremy. I need someone to make Jeremy jealous without having to go out with Roman again.”

I shake my head at Genesis, then wipe my hands down my face. “Okay, if you can get a ride. But text me when you make it to your car.”

“Will do, boss.” She grabs her bag and hops out the back of the truck.

I catch the door and follow her out. She skips toward a group of people and talks to one of the guys. He nods and smiles, then they walk toward the cars.

“I guess that’s Johnny.”

“Yep,” Colt says.

He smiles at me, and my stomach gets that weird fluttery feeling that only happens when I really like someone, or I drink too much Red Bull. He takes a few steps closer, and the parking lot lights highlight his jawline. I want to reach out and touch his freshly shaven face, but don’t.

This is familiar but also new. A lot of life has happened to both of us since we went our separate paths.

“I wanted to take you someplace nice, but the last scene took longer to shoot than they thought. ”

My stomach stops fluttering and buckles as I imagine the last scene being between him and the other girl, who at the moment stands in the distance with the director and cameraman. Probably planning out tomorrow’s love scenes. Ick!

“And I’m pretty sure I’m still wearing some makeup,” Colt adds.

I shift my focus back to him and laugh. “I know a good place if you don’t mind eating leftovers.”

He grins. I tilt my head toward the front of the truck. “You can follow me. I’ll take you to your truck.”

He grins wider and gets in the passenger side, but only sits for a second before rising from the seat. “Ouch.” He lifts a hairbrush.

“Sorry. Genesis is usually running late and pulls her hair back on the way.”

He sets the brush on the dash. I drive off the lot, stopping by his truck. He climbs out and lingers at the open door. His eyes have a playfulness I haven’t seen in years. I know that look all too well, and it’s dangerous.

It’s the same look he gave me that night with the mistletoe. And many times afterward whenever we kissed.

“I’ll be right behind you.” His voice borders on flirty in tone.

I watch him shut the door, then fix my eyes on the road. Am I sure I want to do this? Letting Colt into my career and casually talking about work is one thing. Inviting him into my private life is entirely different.

At the next traffic light, I hold my breath and make a decision. I hope it’s the right one.