Page 49 of Dandelion Sighs

Jasper pulled up to a two-story farmhouse with a long gravel driveway lined with cars. He was wearing basketball shorts and a loose shirt. It only reminded me of what happened when he’d been in trunks. I was wearing the same clothing I’d worn over my swimsuit. Sporty and ready to play kickball, but nice enough to be around his family.

Meanwhile, my mind was whirling at a thousand miles a minute and my stomach was so twisted I worried it was something I ate. How could I do what I had done to Jasper in the shop, then field Landon’s question about smoke alarm batteries, but almost melt down meeting his family I already met?

Because when I was introduced to them, I was Sheridan Bishop, owner and manager of Bishop’s Landing, and I was in said establishment. Now I was Sheridan Bishop, the boss who couldn’t quit getting Jasper alone and swapping body fluids. At least I hadn’t seen him naked yet. I could pretend to have some decorum.

Except I was going to hang with his family all day. How would I spin this as a work visit?

I wouldn’t. That was the crux of it. I was here for personal reasons. I couldn’t pretend he was doing me a favor for bringing him meals and drinks. Or that he was showing off a local establishment. This was his family, and I was here for no other reason than because he invited me. Something between us had shifted, and I couldn’t exactly identify what.

He parked by another big pickup covered in dust. The sprawling shop across from the house had its doors wide open. A couple of grills were on the concrete pad. Kids ran around the yard. Idyllic. A longing pulled behind my chest wall.

“Where do you play kickball?” I asked to keep from wishing this was my family. That all this was a regular occurrence in my life.

“Down from the shop. Outfield is the pasture when there are no cattle.”

“Do you play shirts against leathers with the cows?”

“Ha! We should.”

He got out, and I did the same, holding the meat-and-cheese tray Jasper assembled and the buns I’d ordered from the restaurant. My knuckles were white, this container my life raft. He grabbed our bag of drinks. Lemonade and a six-pack of what we’d had the other night. I wouldn’t be drinking as much as the first night together. Couldn’t risk another sleepover.

Why not again?

As I walked next to Jasper, I couldn’t summon an answer. I’d shoved professionalism out the window when I’d accosted Jasper in the shop. Same as my fear of being caught together. I didn’t want to flaunt what Jasper and I were doing, but at the same time, if anyone found out and thought differently of me? I couldn’t help that. I was doing my best, and having an orgasm shouldn’t affect how I managed the place.

One of his sisters trotted toward us. Dark, curly hair and bright-blue eyes. Violet.

“I’m so glad you made it.” She took the tray from me. “You get comfortable. I’ll put these on the table.”

Poppy greeted us next. Or was it Clover? They weren’t twins, but the resemblance was close. “You’re on my team. Jasper won’t kick it so far if you’re in the outfield.”

“Poppy, you know I’ve gotta show off.”

She smiled at me. “How are ya, Sheridan?”

The nerves hadn’t died down, and now my lack of athleticism was playing on a highlight reel. “Honestly, I’m wondering what I’ve gotten into.”

She waved her hand. “Our smack talk is better than our playing. We’re not that competitive.”

“It’s all fun,” Jasper agreed. “Did your family play lawn games?”

“If I could’ve been picked last on my family team, I was.” My nervous laugh should’ve told the whole story. I just sat out after a while. And not long after that, we quit trying altogether.

Jasper’s mouth turned down, and anger that wasn’t directed at me flashed in his eyes. It meant a lot, knowing I wasn’t being dramatic. My years growing up could’ve been better.

“I’ve picked you first,” Poppy announced, “and you’re with me.”

A weight both lifted and pressed down. Did she realize how much insecurity she cured with that statement? My stomach finally untied a few knots. “I’ll try not to let you down.”

She shook her head. “The only way we’re let down is if you suck the fun out of it.”

“I’m still going to kick it over all your heads.” He fell into step next to me. His hand brushed over my back but didn’t stay there. My skin buzzed from that brief encounter.

“Oh,” Poppy called over her shoulder. “Mom and Dad are here.”

My gut cinched up so hard that my inhale was noisy. I wasn’t ready to meet the parents. Wasn’t that somehow more serious? I was messing around with their son, and he worked for me.

This time, Jasper’s hand landed firmly on the small of my back as if he was afraid I’d turn and walk back to town. “They’re chill people,” he murmured. “Don’t worry.”