The Spice of Life

More Than You Can Chew

More Than You Can Chew

“Still hating small town life?” Leo asked as he folded up the blanket.

“I think I can find a way to live with it.” Brynn grinned at him. They had just spent the better part of an hour necking and kissing on that blanket. People passed by them either sniffing in disapproval or catcalling enthusiastically. Neither had bothered Brynn or, she had been pleased to see, Leo. “As long as I can keep eating your food.”

“A woman after my own heart.” Leo picked up the blanket and tucked it into the basket along with the empty food containers and half empty wine bottle. “I'm free next weekend too. We can send Lance back over to Grace's and repeat this whole process in my kitchen.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Brynn smiled, unable to hide her eagerness. It was dinner and kissing, the simplest of all dates and she found herself looking forward to both activities as if she had never experienced either one before.

Never mind that she had just had her mind blown by experiencing both just now. She was craving more but Leo still refused to take her back to his place. It was annoying to her but strangely cute that he was so virtuous.

“So, we go home now?” Brynn asked as he took the basket from her.

“I said no.” he told her gently with a grin that was only a little bit smug. “Now, we walk and talk.”

“That doesn't sound nearly as fun.” Brynn complained but didn't offer any resistance when he laced his fingers with hers and returned her to the path.

“It depends on what we talk about.” he smiled, walking them deeper into the park. “It'll be all over town tomorrow that I went out with Grace's cousin.”

“Why do I have to be Grace's cousin?” Brynn frowned at the reference. “Why can't I just be Brynn?”

Leo shrugged. “It's the curse of a small town. We'll all know you by Grace until you make your mark here.”

“Don't encourage me.” Brynn warned. “When I make my mark on places, it's rarely a good one.”

“I think you made a rather good one on me.” he winked at her.

“I told you I didn't need the romance.” Brynn turned from him quickly. She didn't like the way her heart fluttered at his wink or his words.

“Everyone needs romance.” Leo lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “And I enjoy doing it.”

“Let's change the subject.” Brynn said quickly pulling their hands back down to their sides.

“Alright.” Leo nodded agreeably. “What would you like to talk about?”

Brynn cast her mind around desperately and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “How long has your brother had the hots for my cousin?”

Leo laughed at the sudden change in subject but didn't protest. “Lance has had a thing for Grace since grade school. Believe it or not, it used to be even more sad than it is right now.”

“I don't believe it.” Brynn assured him dryly. “How has she not noticed?”

“Grace is great but she is a little...” Leo hesitated politely. He still didn't really want to say it.

“Dense.” Brynn finished bluntly making him laugh again. “She's dense. Just admit it. I won't mind.”

“Not the way I was going to word it, but yeah.” Leo chuckled. “I've tried helping Lance out but even the two of us can't seem to get through to her.”