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I shake it. “Have you?”

Kira narrows her eyes at me as Evan glances between us. “Definitely.” He pauses. "I think that is my cue to leave. Nice meting you, Ross. And I'll see you around, Kira." Evan walks through the crowd leaving us alone.

“What was that?”

“What was what?” I hold her gaze.

“That territorial mountain-man routine.” Kira takes a small step closer.

“I was being friendly.”

“You looked like you wanted to bury him in the woods."

“I know better places.” I look at her.

Her mouth falls open, then she laughs and I try not to smile, but fail. She steps closer. “Were you jealous?”

“No.” I raise my eyebrows.

“Ross.” Kira holds my gaze.

“Yes.” I draw a breath. “I know I don't have a right to be.”

“You could.” Kira presses her lips together.

My heart gives one hard beat. “What does that mean?”

“It means you could ask me on an actual date instead of kissing me in the back of my tattoo shop and then disappearing.” Kira rests a hand on her hip.

“I was working.”

“Excuses.” Kira lifts her eyebrows.

I look around at the festival lights, the families, the mountain ridge turning purple beneath the evening sky, then back at her. “Dinner tomorrow.”

Her smile appears. “Are you asking or ordering?”

“Asking.”

“Try again. Nicely.” Kira takes another step closer.

“Kira Reed, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

“I'd love to.”

Relief is ridiculous when I already suspected she'd say yes. “Seven.”

“Bossy.”

“You like it.” I tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“Maybe.” She sighs.

I lean down near her ear. “Liar.” Then I walk away before she can recover.

For once, I leave Kira Reed speechless. Best festival I've ever attended.

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