Page 55 of Small Town, Big Storm

“She hasn’t seen him in a bit,” I find myself explaining as we trail after them.

Storm jerks.“What?”

“I—” I nibble at my bottom lip, don’t miss his eyes flicking there?—

Nor the flicker of heat that forms in my belly as a result.

“She hasn’t seen Rain in a while,” I murmur.

Then hate that I said that.

Because his eyes go cold and that flicker of heat poofs away like so much smoke.

“They’re close,” is all he says.

You can be close toois what Iwantto say.

But I can’t make myself form the words.

Or maybe it’s that he doesn’t give me the chance.

“What were you guys going to do before we intercepted you with Molly’s?”he asks and it’s almost as though I can see him shove that hurt down deeper, so deep it’s imperceptible, so deep it’s like it’s never existed at all.

Definitely not the healthiest way to deal with his emotions.

But it’s not like we’re going to have a family therapy session right here on the street.

Especially with the citizens of Cedar Hollow all around us, not one of them bothering to hide the fact that they’re watching us.

Cute.

“For the record,” I say, narrowing my eyes at Gertie and her best friend—and equally nosy neighbor—Esther, silently warning them to back off (something they ignore as they continue to whisper and stare).“I feel like it’s imperative for me to mention that I’m always happy for my plans to change if it means I get to have Molly’s.”

His mouth tips up at the edges.“Good to know.”

“I would literallykillfor her cinnamon rolls when I’m on my period—” I freeze, cheeks going hot.Yeah, Pop, that’s probably too much information.

But his smile just grows.“Good to know,” he says lightly.

“Right, that’s TMI.”I wince.“Sorry.”A shrug.“I just really like Molly’s.”

“Who doesn’t?”He leans in and I see a glimpse of the old Storm for a moment when he says, “During my Man PMS, I’d kill for the peaches and cream muffins.”

My brows fly up.

A shrug.“A man’s hormones change too.”

Now my brow furrows.“Doesn’t that happen like every day?”

“And?”

“Um…”

He grins.“One might say you can’t consume too many of Molly’s muffins.”

I giggle despite myself.“Of the peaches and cream variety especially?”

“Exactly.”