“Yes!” She practically squealed, bouncing on her heels slightly. “Don’t you think this would be so yummy on somecroissants? We could call it Peach, Please.” After a pause where I gave no response, she continued. “Or, or… Peach Better Have My Honey!”
Eagerness radiated off her and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stifle my groan. Peaches were the primary staple at the market this time of year. Everything was peach this, peach that. After twenty-seven years of living through peach-induced chaos every summer, I was over it.
But, peach-flavored this-and-that sold well with the tourist population who specifically traveled to the area to get fresh fruit. And I couldn’t argue against the numbers on our income report.
“Sounds good.” I murmured, glancing back toward where Derek wasstilleyeing his selection. Seems I wouldn’t be escaping the madness at home, either—that was, if he actually picked something out.
Chris followed my line of sight, then gave me a friendly shoulder bump.
“How have things been going?” She asked, nodding her head toward my roommate.
“Fine.” I shrugged noncommittally, turning away from the man in question. Somehow, I knew if I looked at him too long, Chris and her magic psychic powers would pick up more than I said aloud.
She hummed, pursing her lips as she studied me. Shit, it was hot. I could feel more sweat pooling along my brow—and it totally wasn’t from how she was staring at me.
I let out a small breath of air when she turned her attention to the jar in her hand, inspecting it over instead.
“You know… Someone went out recently. Did that certain someone get their peach devoured?” She asked, glancing up at me with a devilish grin on her face.
I shook my head and glanced back toward Derek who was now perusing some zucchinis. He was scrutinizing them in a totally non-sexual way, but my brain couldn’t help latchingonto the innuendo there. Yeah, I didn’t need that visual in my head.
“Weird.” Chris’s voice had me turning back again, a dubious look on her face as she examined her nails. “You looked smoking hot that night. I can’t imagine you didn’t getanyoffers.”
Fuck, this farmer’s market was a war zone. Everywhere I looked was enemy lines. I was dodging bullets left and right, but I wasn’t sure how unscathed I was.
“What is this, an interrogation?” I joked, my voice sounding flat as I pulled at the collar of my shirt. “Damn, it is really hot this morning.”
She gave me an unimpressed look before staring pointedly at my roommate.
“Hedidn’t offer?” She asked, cocking an eyebrow in my direction.
Okay, this was easy. No white lies needed to get around this question.
“Nah, he’s?—”
“Straight, remember?” We said in unison as Chris rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. You keep saying that, but I’m not buying it.” She said, turning to keep walking along the row of stalls. I followed after her casually, trying to wrap my head around that last bit.
“What do you mean you aren’t buying it? He said he’s straight, so he is. As much as I love your delulu fantasies, this one isn’t going to pan out.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders when I caught up to her, pressing into her side affectionately.
She huffed a bit, crossing her arms in annoyance before cocking her head to look up at me. “I’m still shocked you didn’t get any action the other night. Just not feeling the club then?”
“Nah, no one there really caught my eye. It happens.”Okay, well, here were the white lies. I wasn’t going to admit to anyone, even my best friend, that I’d skipped out on a potentially fantastic BJ just to wallow in my shower after pity-masturbating.
She gave a noncommittal hum that made me want to punch the air in triumph. I’d successfully made it through the danger-zone.
I was just about to suggest we turn back to get Derek when my arm was forcibly snatched from around Chris’s shoulder. Both Chris and I let out surprised yelps at the intrusion into our space.
“Derek?” I choked out when I looked back at my assailant, surprised by how forcefully he was gripping my wrist and the wild look in his eye.
“Sorry,” He apologized, his expression turning sheepish. “I turned around from buying some stuff and you were both gone. I guess… I panicked a little.”
Chris and I exchanged a glance before she sent a warm smile his way.
“No worries, I get a little freaked out being in crowded places alone, too. I’m sorry we left you.” That seemed to settle whatever was raging in Derek’s head a little because he offered a weak smile back and shrugged.
I glanced between the hand that was still holding onto my wrist and to the bag of produce in the other.
