It All Started With a Lima Bean by Kimi Flores Page B

pointed out so many years ago that those colors were the best for Abby.
    “I agree.” His grin widened.
    Yes, she was going to pass out if they didn’t get going soon. “Are we ready?”
    “Yep, the van is loaded. We’re all dolled and dressed up; let’s hit the road.” Leah headed for the door when Abby caught Caleb gawking again. Damn she was glad she’d put on the extra strength deodorant after all because she was perspiring like crazy again. Feeling as if blotches covered her skin, Abby hoped her face wasn’t full of red spots. Maybe that’s why he was staring at her. She chanced a look down at her chest, and the skin looked fine there.
    Caleb placed his palm on the middle of her back, leading her out of the door. She was going to have a difficult time concentrating with him around, and if he continued to touch her, she would be a goner for sure.
    The drive to the wedding was full of funny conversation thanks to Leah. Abby was so grateful for her hilarious friend. She was also thankful she’d prepared herself ahead of time with a panty liner because she peed a little when Leah shared a story about them in college that included the time they showed up to their first frat party in footie pajamas. The flier had said the party had Jammie Jam, and Abby misunderstood when she told Leah about it. It turned out, that was the name of the DJ. They were nicknamed the footsie twins the rest of that year. Caleb tried hard not to laugh out loud from the backseat, but he couldn’t hold it in for long.
    They pulled up to the church with plenty of time to spare. Cousin Manuel came out of the double doors of the Catholic Cathedral before they even opened the van doors.
    “Mi Amor. You are taking my breath away. You look beautiful mi vida.” Abby rotated quickly to find Manuel had already opened her door. Extending his hand, he offered to help her out of the passenger seat. She spun to find the backseat empty. Completely ignoring his outstretched hand, she pushed herself up without any assistance. As soon as she stood, Manuel was in her personal space, wrapping his arms around her. She hadn’t had a chance to react. His arms stayed firmly around her waist as she tried to lift her face from his chest to grasp for air.
    Caleb stood behind Manuel with a look she’d not seen on his face before. That was weird. She felt his quick, firm taps on Manuel’s shoulder, and then he lowered his voice a few octaves, the way guys did when they met other guys. “Nice to meet you. I’m Caleb, Abby’s date.”
    Manuel turned abruptly, practically knocking Abby over in the process. Caleb reached behind Manuel and pulled Abby protectively to his side. “Sorry. My bad. Abby has never brought a date before. I didn’t realize.” Manuel’s shocked look was not what Abby had hoped for. Great. Now Caleb knew I was so unsavory that I couldn’t even get a date without Leah’s help. Turning to look at him, she was surprised to find him smiling at this little piece of information.
    “Well she has one for this event.” Caleb declared.
    “I’ll let this one slide Abby, but you will be mine someday.” Manuel pointed at her and teased then went to the back of the van to grab an arrangement from his cousin before he walked into the church with her.
    “Sorry.” Abby looked at Caleb’s face then down to her painted toenails.
    “What are you sorry about?” Lifting her chin, he slowly ran the pad of his index finger around her delicate lips. Swiping along the top, brushing the sides, and then underneath, his focus never leaving her mouth. While his handsome face captivated her wide eyes, the pounding of her heart beat throughout her body. Almost as though it pained him to move his eyes off her mouth, Caleb shifted his gaze to meet hers. “You had lip gloss smeared all over. The daddy in me had to clean it up for you.”
    Yes . She was a goner just as she’d suspected. This beautiful man made her feel things she had never thought were