Page 31 of Not Just Gal Pals

It looked like an ordinary, working barn—sheltering a green tractor, rusty farm equipment, and hay bales from the elements—except for the walls.

The wooden walls were covered, floor to ceiling, in stunning, colorful murals depicting the Levis’s property in every season. In fall, with the apple trees blazing red. In winter, with the barns and ground blanketed in snow, a white-tailed deer in the foreground. In spring, covered in wild geranium, violets, hepatica, and other local flowers. And in summer, fields of tall golden grass being mowed for hay, bluebirds perched on the apple trees laden with apples. Each scene was captured in meticulous detail and had clearly been a labor of love. The juxtaposition between the colorful, intricate murals and the otherwise normal barn made the whole thing even more striking.

“Wow! This is incredible, Blake,” I said, breathless.

“I know. The Levis had a farm laborer who was also an artist stay with them a couple of years ago, and he painted this all himself.” Blake looked at me, her cheeks slightly pink. “I…uh, I thought it might make a cool post, if you want?”

“That’s an awesome idea!” I’d almost run out of Red Tractor Farm content, and I’d been too focused on Amanda’s wedding the past few days to spend time coming up with new ideas. But this...this would be perfect.

Blake held out her hand. “Well, give me your phone.”

I handed it over, took a swig out of the champagne bottle before putting it on the ground, and ran over to the summer scene, posing on a hay bale in front of it. Blake took photos of me in front of each wall, and then I filmed the entire scene.

“I think that’ll do, thanks!” I walked back to Blake, who’d sat down on a hay bale, leaning back on another one behind her. I picked up the champagne bottle on the way.

“Champagne?” I asked, holding out the bottle as I sat down next to her.

“Sure.” She tipped her head back and took a gulp. I watched her, admiring her face in profile. The sharp angle of her jaw, her straight nose, those dark, long eyelashes most people would kill to have naturally.

I must have been too obvious, because Blake put the bottle down and turned to look at me, her gaze lingering on my lips. Oh god. Did she want to…?

We stared at each other in silence, the air crackling around us with tension.

I leaned toward her, tentatively, to see if my move was reciprocated.

It was. She leaned toward me, my heart picking up pace.

Do it. Kiss her, my body urged.

It’s probably all in your head. It’ll be so embarrassing if she rejects you. DO NOT KISS HER, my mind implored.

“Jenny?” Blake's voice was lower than usual, husky. Oh shit. She was looking intensely into my eyes now, her gaze burning right through me.

A strangled, “Mmmm?” was all I could manage. Is this really happening? Is she about to ask me what I think she is?

Blake took a deep breath, holding my gaze. “Can I kiss you?”

Oh my god. I can’t believe this is happening.

It felt like a kaleidoscope of butterflies had been released in my stomach, sending my whole body vibrating with nervous anticipation, and excitement, and want.

I nodded, leaning in further and shutting my eyes as Blake’s soft lips touched mine.

She tasted like champagne and lemon-blueberry cake.

Blake placed her hand on my hip bone, and I swiveled my body toward her so I could wrap my arm around her back.

My mind cleared of thoughts, leaving me only with all-consuming feelings and sensations. Blake’s teeth gently biting my lower lip, my tongue teasing hers, the warm swell of her breasts against mine, blood pulsing through my veins, a giddy sensation in my stomach. Fuck. This kiss was going to be my undoing.

I grabbed the hair on the back of her head, which was just long enough to grasp, causing Blake to moan. I untucked her shirt with my other hand and slipped my hand underneath so I could feel the warm, smooth skin of her back.

Blake moved her mouth away from mine and began kissing along my jawline, stopping at my ear where she began lightly pulling it with her mouth, sending shivers down my spine. This time, it was my turn to moan.

I gripped Blake's hair tighter, caressing her back with my other hand. Blake’s lips made their way down my neck to my collarbone as I nuzzled my nose in her hair, breathing in the faint sandalwood scent of her shampoo.

Suddenly, we heard a loud bang.

Startled, we flung ourselves apart, spinning to see what caused the noise. It was the barn door swinging open. And there, in the middle of the doorway, stood Maya and Jasper, in a passionate embrace.