“Superman,huh?”
Rush bucks with a laugh. “I’ll send a girl your way who reeks of Kryptonite. Don’t worry, dude. When she’s done with you, you’ll be thanking me for the rest of yourlife.”
Sunday and Trixie exchange a heatedglance.
Serena shows up in time to kill the carnal conversation, and the three of us put in our orders while Sunday continues to hem and haw over themenu.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you looked like you were on a double date.” Serena laughs as she tucks a pen behind herear.
Rush laughs long and hard right along with her. “Seth knows better than to mess with Sunday. Isn’t that right?” He nods over to me. “One crooked look will get you a fat lip. And that’s apromise.”
“Got it.” I can’t help but wonder what a baby would get me. A body cast in theleast.
“Let’s do it, Sun.” Serena beats her notepad with her pen. “There are a lot of people who want to get out of here tonight, and you’re looking at one of ’em.”
“Oh, right.” She closes her menu. “I’ll just have a club sandwich.” Her eyes flit to the ceiling. “You know what, make that a roast beef with au jus, lots and lots of au jus.” She shrugs over at Rush and Trixie. “Just love that stuff.” Serena turns to leave, and Sunday holds up a hand. “And a peanut butter shake! And maybe throw in a side of mac and cheese, bacon cheddar tots, a breakfast skillet with the eggs scrambled, hash browns, and a side of blueberry and cream pancakes.” She holds the menu up for Serena to grab it, but nobody moves. All eyes are locked on Sunday. “What? The menu says they serve breakfast all day. Besides, Seth always eats off my plate. A girl has to look out forherself.”
Serena snatches the menu and stares down her cousin before takingoff.
“Someone’s hungry.” Trixie cocks her head to the side, her eyes slit withsuspicion.
Rush twitches his cheek as he looks to me. “She’s right about Baker. Dude, learn to keep your fork to yourself. You’re scaring my sister.” If only he knew how much. He nods to Sunday. “I’m splitting those pancakes withyou.”
“You got it.” Sunday rubs her shoulder to mine as she adjusts herself, and the warmth of her body sets me off. I can’t help but notice how full her lips are, how full the upper half of her sweater is. And, believe me, I feel like an ass fornoticing.
The conversation turns to school, the media club, the fundraiser that we’re doing to help Sunday raise the money she’s determined to give the homelessshelter.
“We’re halfway there,” Rush assures her. “Next time you want to do something like that, maybe shoot me a text first. I’ll gladly talk you out of it. It’s going to be hell trying to get it all before the semester isthrough.”
“I’ll do it,” I say without hesitating. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve I haven’t implemented yet. I know you’ll reach yourgoal.”
She clicks her tongue, shaking her head at me in disbelief. “You really are the nicest guy I’ve ever met. I can’t thank you enough for all the things you do to me—for me—to me—forme.” She straightens like a lightning rod, and Trixie and I laugh at the verbal blunder, but Rush raises a brow as if there might be something toit.
Dinner wraps up, and the four of us head back out into the iced night. I offer to walk Sunday back, and Rush seems more than fine with it. Something tells me he’s looking forward to what comes next in the lineup with Trixietonight.
Sunday takes up my hand and leans in. “Are you really going to walk me back to mydorm?”
“Yes. I gave your brother my word.” A mischievous grin blooms on my lips. “As soon as I take you to my place and impress you with mywood.”
“Seth!” She swats me while indulging with an open-mouthed laughed. “That’sdisgusting!”
“What?” I inch back and marvel how the moon washes her a beautiful shade of gold. “Get your head out of the gutter. I’m making a fire. It’s cold out, if you haven’tnoticed.”
“And here I thought I was about to getlucky.”
My eyes flick tohers.
“You heard Dr. Green.” Her lips curve at the tips. “It’s perfectlyfine.”
We share a laugh that rises into this heart-shaped night. Joking about having sex with me? I don’t know what the hell is happening, but I’m not about to stopit.
She grabs my hand and runs us into the woods behind the parking lot, pulling us into the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the public at large. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I like where this is going. Then it hits me. It’s probably directly related to the one hundred bathroom trips a day she’s been makinglately.
“You okay? Is the babyokay?”
“Yes,” she hisses, her cool finger falling over my lips a moment. “I promise I’m fine.” The shadows do their best to swallow her whole, but those glowing eyes shine through the dark like a beacon. “I just thought, you know, it’s Valentine’s Day.” She gives a little shrug. “I thought maybe we could steal a quick kiss.” Her affect grows serious as she bites down on her lip. “Unless, of course, you find me repulsive. And I totally get it. I look as if I just popped out of a dumpster.” She plucks at hersweater.
“Are you kidding?” My thumb brushes over her cheek, and I marvel at how soft her skin feels. “I meant what I said when I saw you tonight. You’re beautiful,Sunday.”
