Nathan could not help but wonder how much longer he had left to his shift in the kissing booth. He would admit that the experience had not been as bad as he feared. Opal insisting that she needed a kiss from Mountie Nathan had been sweet. He also did not begrudge helping to raise money for the town council. The people of Hope Valley were certainly a good reason. He had never felt as welcomed in a community as he had the last couple of years.
However, the fact remained that kissing someone just because the paid ten cents was definitely outside of his comfort zone. Something that Bill knew full well, and he was mildly annoyed with himself for letting the older man goad him into doing this. There would have been other ways he could have contributed to the Founder's Day Carnival.
Still, the turn out was kind of flattering.
As Clara dropped her dime into the jar though Nathan couldn't help but ask, "Is Jesse fine with this?" his jaw aching at the memory of the punch he had taken from Jesse that had been meant for Lucas.
Clara laughed. "As long as it is just a kiss on the cheek. I found out about the bet you and Bill had after I got a kiss from him and I refuse to help determine the winner. Therefore, I want a kiss from you both."
Nathan laughed. "Sounds like a good enough reason to me," Nathan told her, leaning across the counter of the booth, and placing a kiss on Clara's cheek.
As Clara walked away, the next person in line stepped forward. Nathan's breath caught as he found himself face to face with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth dropped the dime in the jar. A tentative, yet joyful smile graced her features as she smiled at him. Nathan had to remind himself to breathe.
~She's just doing this to help support the town council, ~ Nathan told himself, hoping that Elizabeth did not notice his increased pulse.
"Elizabeth, are you sure about this?" Nathan finally asked in a low voice, hoping that Elizabeth was the only one that heard the question. He could feel the eyes of their neighbors and friends on them, though he kept his gaze fixed on Elizabeth.
"Yes," Elizabeth replied, just as softly, a conviction in her voice.
Nathan didn't say anything else as he leaned forward. He pressed his hands against the top of the counter, knowing that if he didn't his fingers would probably find their way into Elizabeth hair, that was falling around her shoulders. Just as his lips touched hers, Nathan closed his eyes, letting the fact that they had spectators slip from his mind. Instead, he concentrated on the soft, velvet touch of Elizabeth's lips. It was a sensation that he had longed to experience for quite awhile now and he had to consciously remind himself not to draw the kiss out too long given the situation.
Pulling back, Nathan opened his eyes. Elizabeth still had her eyes closed. He watched her silently for a few minutes. He came to the determination that at least Elizabeth did not look like she regretted the choice. In fact, in his estimation, Elizabeth had enjoyed his kiss whether she ever admitted to it or not.
A slight color rose in Elizabeth's cheeks as she opened her eyes. "Have a good after noon, Nathan," Elizabeth said quietly as she hurried away.
Nathan smiled as he watched Elizabeth go back to Rosemary, Lee, and Little Jack. Perhaps he would need to thank Bill for getting him into this after all.