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Reese

“Well? What do you think?” I sat opposite Rafe inside a booth at my restaurant, just as the lunch rush started to die down

Rafe licked his fingers with a satisfied s his sweet time for no other reason than he kneould torture it clean, he made use of the moist toilette that came with his half rack of rib and chicken platter

“Do I taste pineapple in there?”

I nodded excitedly at the mention of my favorite topic, barbecue sauce The Tulip County cook-off was exactly six weeks fro title - not yet anyway - but just a little thing called ‘The Best Damn Sauce in Texas’ award, thank you very inal this year

“Yeah,” I told him “Ru with all the other usual suspects”

Rafe leaned back in the booth and patted his rock-hard midsection that was the result of a combination of his work as the Fire Chief and the tiym

“You’re too good tospicy and s it out more in the meat Otherwise, it’s perfect”

“Thanks” Who would have thought that Rafe, the guy every girl in school wanted, and nored, would become friends as adults? As a pair, ere about as unlikely as they caood friend over the past few years “Worth the free food?” I teased, jotting down a few spices to test out later

“Worth the anxiety that it ht taste terrible”

I laughed, not caring if we drew stares OrI made tasted terrible?”

He leaned in and flashed that handso in hopes of capturing his attention “I’ve got tords for ya, Reese: pickle juice”

I groaned at the reminder “It was on trend, I had to try it out”

He shivered draret it, but otherwise, you have not disappointed Keep it up”