When she stepped onto the stones, she looked at her feet. “Ow. Where are my shoes?” She turned to him. “Did I lose my shoes?”
“They’re back at the house.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to carry me!” She jumped into his arms and clung to him.
This was too much. He held her, not wanting her to fall. But having her in his arms like this was dangerous for both of them. “You need coffee,” he said, sounding breathless. “Let’s go back inside, and I’ll fix you some.”
“What if I don’t want to? You can’t tell me what to do.” She moved her hands from his shoulders to his neck, her fingertips brushing the ends of his hair. “I like your haircut,” she said, sounding almost sober. “Did I ever tell you that?”
Had she? Right now he couldn’t think straight. Her touch sent a shiver down his back, and her mouth was so close to his he could kiss her without moving more than an inch or two.
“Tanner?” she whispered. “Is this real?”
Never had his name sounded so sweet. Never had hewanted something to be more real than this moment with her. It wasn’t. He set her on her feet. “Coffee. Now.” She had reduced him to one-word sentences.
She plopped down on the grass and then lay down on her side. “I don’t feel so good.”
Uh-oh. He crouched beside her. “Are you nauseous?”
Her eyes were closed. “No. Just tired. Tired of hoping... wishing...pining...” Her eyes opened and she met his gaze.
Up until tonight, the only time he’d ever seen Anita defeated was when they’d met for tutoring after they kissed at his party. She had that same look in her eyes now. Eyes that were clear, not cloudy with drink.
“There y’all are.”
Tanner looked up and saw Harper heading toward them. Like Anita, she had taken off her shoes, but she stayed on the grass. “Dylan told me what happened,” she said. “Is she okay?”
He shifted his gaze to Anita. Her eyes were closed again, and she leaned against him. “She’s drunk, but I think she’s ready to sleep it off.”
“Oh boy.” Harper shook her head. “I already started the coffee. Let’s get her back inside.”
Instead of helping her to her feet, he knelt down and gently picked her up, then followed Harper inside. The scent of coffee hit him as soon as they walked in.
“Put her on the couch,” Harper said. “I’ll get the coffee and some water.”
Tanner nodded and laid Anita down on a large, tan leather sofa that looked more masculine than Harper’s flashyfeminine style. She sank against the cushions, already asleep, her body small against the oversized piece of furniture. He tucked a soft throw pillow under her head. She stirred a little, and he was thankful she hadn’t full-on passed out. He grabbed a furry white throw off the back of the couch and covered her with it.
Harper came back with a steaming mug and a bottle of water. “Should we wake her up to drink these?”
Tanner shook his head. “Let her sleep a bit.”
Harper set the coffee and water on the black acrylic coffee table in front of the couch. “She’s going to have a killer hangover tomorrow.”
“How is she getting home?” he asked.
“I’m taking her after I clean up from the party.” Harper moved her gaze to the couch. “She’s teaching Sunday school in the morning. She’ll have to double up on the aspirin. Although I don’t know how she manages to teach those kids when she’s sober.”
Tanner half grinned. He wasn’t sure either. “Don’t worry about giving her a ride. I’ll take her home.”
“Thanks. That will give me more time to clean up. Actually, I think I’ll just spend the night here.” Harper yawned. “I’m getting too old for parties.”
“I doubt that. I’ll come back for her once I load everything up.”
It didn’t take him long to put everything into his Jeep, and when he returned to the living room, Anita was still asleep. Harper was sitting in a club chair that matched the couch, her feet up on the coffee table, her eyes closed. “I’m ready to go,” he said, walking over to her. When she startedto get up, he motioned for her to stay seated. “I know my way out.”
“Thanks, Tanner. I meant what I said before. You’re an amazing chef.” She glanced at Anita and lowered her voice. “I’m sure you could work at any fancy restaurant you wanted.”
“Been there, done that. I’m more suited to Sunshine.”
