Look Back at Me (Fleckney Fields Series, Book 1)

Sleeper(s)

"You taste of strawberries," she whispered.

His eyes opened slowly - unfocused, darker than usual - and he carefully put her down on the ground. Apparently, he'd lifted her at some point, his arms wrapped around her waist tightly.

Viola laughed, rose on her tiptoes, and brushed her lips to his again, this time lightly and playfully. He blinked rapidly, his face dazed. He then released her, and she stepped back.

"Well, you should–" She patted his chest and cleared her throat. "They'll be announcing the winners now. I'll wait for you. You promised to take me skating after lunch, remember?"

"Yeah," he said hoarsely.

"Alright, I'll be there."

She pointed at the bench where the rest of the Holyoakes were no doubt watching them, and he looked over her shoulder.

"Yeah," he said again.

To think of it, most likely every single person in the tent was watching them right now. Somehow, it didn't bother Viola one bit. Their eyes met again, and he gave her a small uncertain smile.

"Laters," she said, patted his chest again, and walked away - before she'd given in and kissed him again.

Her lips still tingled, and some sort of uncontrollable jolly giggles were bursting out of her. As she crossed the tent, quite a few people gave her curious or meaningful looks, there were a couple of winks, and even a small cheer. Again, she just couldn't be bothered.

When she sat down on the bench, she could feel the Holyoakes' stares on her, and she sat, her eyes fixed on the tent.

"So," John said, and then oophed when Clem rammed her elbow into his side.

Fiona laughed at his antiques - he was rubbing his side, muttering something about 'a bony bird' - and Viola caught a warm look from Will from the corner of her eyes. She gave him a shy smile, and he nodded. Viola didn't dare to look at Mable. After all, she'd just shamelessly snogged her favourite grandson in front of the whole county. That had been quite a statement - and Viola had made it perfectly conscientiously.

***

After the Watanabes received their First Prize, and Frank - with a shy smile on his burning face - accepted his Worst Bake Cup, everyone started getting up and moving around. Viola saw Rhys talk to the same man she'd seen with him behind the tent, and then Rhys shook his hand vigorously, patting his shoulder with his left hand. The man threw Viola a look, and then Rhys slipped behind one of the tent walls. Viola followed him with her eyes as he reappeared in the back - and then he beckoned her with his hand.

"I'll see you all later at the bonfire," she said hurriedly, rising, and the Holyoakes' answers mingled and clashed - but she wasn't listening.

She quickly went down the stands, as much as jogged around the tent, turned the corner - and stopped abruptly in front of Rhys.

"Hi," she said - and he dove in, and pulled her in, and kissed her.

Viola wrapped her arms around his neck, he straightened up, lifting her, and she dangled her feet.

"Why does it feel like we're sneaking away?" she asked, between small kisses she was peppering on his lips.

"Because we are," he said with a chuckle and lowered her carefully. "I'm supposed to be helping to put away the tent. But Nikolić will cover for me. Come!"

He picked up her hand and pulled her after him.

"Don't you want to eat lunch first?" she asked teasingly, following him.