Page 29 of Blame it on the Kiss
He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Getting a tattoo is a lot different than giving blood.”
She admired his mouth and how it made everything better. “I know. But just the thought of it makes me sweat. I’d be mortified if I passed out while getting it done.”
“Have you passed out before?”
“No, but I always have to lie down for shots and my heart races and I can’t look and it’s really nerve racking.”
“I could go with you.” He dropped her arm and started to walk.
The bright, festive lights at Zane and Sophie’s house lit up the beach. Voices muffled a minute ago grew clearer. That’s where she needed to be. Surrounded by people and noise and more champagne. She needed distance before she drowned in Bryce’s attention. Plenty of guys were nice to her. But none had made her feel this way. And none had ever shared a secret this big with her before. So even though she wanted to toss his suggestion into the ocean where the fish could chew on it, she had to entertain his offer.
“Honor?”
“Maybe.”
“Fair enough.”
She forced a smile. There was absolutely nothing fair about the way her emotions had hijacked her rules for relationships. And her loyalty to her best friend.
“I never would have guessed Payton wanted a tattoo,” he added, the tease and warmth in his voice disappearing.
“I know. It is out of character for her, but she did keep some things private.”
“Even from you?”
“Even from me.”
…
Bryce slipped off his sunglasses and walked into the Happy Harpoon. No one stood at the check-in desk, but Midge passed by running her hands down herHappyapron.
“Hey there, handsome. Grab a seat anywhere you like.”
Bryce nodded at the silver-haired whirlwind and found a small booth that afforded him a view of the entrance. With time to spare before his lunch meeting with Cooper, he pulled out his cell to call Danny back and let him know no worries on not making it, but his phone chimed with a text message first.
Hey son, sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. Congrats on the new client. Proud of you.
Thanks, Dad. About to have lunch with my next new client, I hope.
The skateboarder?
Cooper Mitchell. Kid’s got it and I want it.Bryce looked up and said, “thanks” to the waitress for dropping off a menu.
I’ve no doubt you’ll get him then. Dinner soon?
Yeah. Tell Mom I said hi.
Call - don’t text - her and tell her yourself.
Bryce chuckled as he sat back and thought about his dad. As one of the best defense attorneys in Los Angeles, James Bishop played it heartless in the courtroom. But with Bryce and his younger sister the old guy was all heart. He pushed, sure, but only to the point he knew his kids could handle it. Bryce owed his strength of purpose to his dad.
“Bishop, you hanging around our town on a daily basis now?”
Blinking away his thoughts, Bryce focused on the ex-football player towering over the table. “Hey, Tango. Yeah, I’ve got a meeting with Cooper Mitchell.”
Tango nodded. “I’m thinking of making a comeback. Think you could handle me?”
Bryce chuckled. “As soon as they start the senior league, I’ll let you know.”
