Page 57 of Mountain Bean Dream
I should have pulled away. Made a joke. Something, anything, to defuse the tension threatening to swallow us both whole.
But then his voice dipped, quieter now, just for me. “You can’t keep saying ‘maybe.’ Not forever.”
My throat went dry. My heart slammed against my ribs. And suddenly, I was sure of one thing: if he didn’t kiss me right now, I might actually die.
Like a dump of cold water, Mac wandered over and punctured our little bubble.
Miss Mood Killer thrust out her hand to me first, before shaking and shoulder smacking her colleague. The seductive smile never left her face. “Congrats. You know, maybe we should team up once and destroy the competition.”
“I’m not out for total destruction, thanks.”
She talked to Jeremy directly. “She must be the key to your success as you usually trail me by a dozen points. At least.”
“Just good questions tonight.”
A soft snort blew out of Mac. “The next themed trivia night is the July long weekend. You two up for a re-match?”
I inhaled sharply. “Maybe.”
Jeremy sent a raised brow my way. “It’s on fantasy TV shows.”
The air chilled just enough that I shuddered. “We’ll have to see.”
“No doubt, I’ll see you two lovebirds around.” Mac backed up. “See you tomorrow nerd,” she said to Jeremy. “Nice meeting you, Molly.”
“It’s been a pleasure.”
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a figure entering the restaurant—a figure that made my stomach drop.
Derek strode in wearing a confident smirk and a bomber jacket that seemed a little too well-tailored. His eyes scanned the crowd, and it wasn’t long before he zeroed in on me. The way his gaze narrowed made my chest tighten. Had he walked in just three minutes before, he would’ve seen the way Jeremy and I were—something that felt like it wasn’t an act.
“Hey, Jeremy,” I said impulsively, my voice coming out higher than I’d intended.
Jeremy turned to me, bemused. “Yeah?”
I swallowed hard. My heart was thumping in my chest like a runaway train, and I knew I had to act fast. Before I could overthink it, I slid my hand over Jeremy’s arm and tilted forward, closing the distance between us.
“Can you do me a favor?” I whispered, my breath brushing against his cheek.
Jeremy’s eyes widened, and his breath caught. “A-anything.”
I leaned in, the tips of our noses almost brushing. “Want to make someone jealous?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Um, sure. Yes.”
“We’re being watched by my ex and your wannabe. Can you kiss me?” I asked, barely loud enough for him to hear.
Jeremy froze, and I braced myself for rejection, for him to pull back and laugh at the absurdity of it all. But he didn’t. Instead, his gaze softened, and he cupped my cheek with onehand, his thumb stroking warmth into my cheeks. There was no laughter, only sincerity as he whispered, “You’re sure?”
I nodded, my pulse racing. “Positive.”
He hesitated for only a second before his lips met mine, gentle at first, then growing more assured. His other arm slipped around my waist, drawing me closer, and I found myself melting into the heat of his embrace. The restaurant and all its noise faded away, leaving only the breath between us and the taste of surprise that blossomed into something warm and addictive.
When we finally broke apart, the room came rushing back, and I was acutely aware of the stunned silence from our table. Derek stood stiffly near the door; his jaw clenched. Mac had a wide-eyed gaze.
But it was Jeremy who held my attention. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes searched mine, as if he, too, was grappling with the aftermath of what had just happened. The tenderness in his gaze made my breath catch, and suddenly, the line between pretense and reality felt dangerously blurred.
“Well,” Jeremy finally broke the silence, recovering with a smirk. “Now that’s what I call method acting.”