“How do you know?” I tease.
“Oh, I just know. She probably wouldn’t sing my name every day or make me pies. I couldn’t live like that.”
I yawn through a laugh, leaning my head against his shoulder for just a second with my arm still wrapped around his before I think better of it and stand up. It’s eleven. I know Liz is tired, and I’m about to drop. DC must be exhausted since he was out working before I was even awake.
I’m clingy when I’m tired. I get way too cuddly, and it’s going to get me in trouble if I’m not careful, so I need to move. I put my half-eaten dessert in front of him, and he catches me around the waist before I walk away.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just sleepy. I have class and work tomorrow, and I know Ms. Liz is ready to get out of here, so I’m going to help her clean. Go ahead and eat. Enjoy the last few minutes of your birthday.”
I start to walk away, but he pulls me back. It’s an innocent side hug, but I involuntarily slide my hand over his shoulder to rest on his neck as he speaks.
“Thank you for the pies. And for singing with me. It made being the oldest suck a lot less.”
That’s quite enough eye contact for today.
“You’re welcome,” I tell him as my sleepy fingers wander into his tousled hair without permission. “You took care of a big expense for me. I owe you pies for the rest of my life.”
Dang it, what am I doing?
I’m like a milk-drunk toddler at naptime, rubbing the same worn spot on the ears of my stuffed bunny when it comes to his hair.
I know better, but I can’t make myself stop.
“We don’t keep score. But I’ll take you up on that.” I don’t miss his voice lowering and the squeeze to my hip when I graze my fingers over the back of his head before I pull away to start clearing plates. He finishes the last of mine in one big bite and stands up. “I’m going to load the equipment, and then I’ll come back to straighten the tables and chairs, okay?”
“Sounds … gooood.” I yawn again and look around to see who’s left.
Tabitha’s walking out, and it looks like she and Sam are exchanging numbers. They’re stinking adorable and less of an age gap if they hit it off. Keeps her away from my emotional security human too. Maybe Sam can settle for one girl at a time.
It could happen.
He walks her to the door and then jogs back to me, attacking me with another bear hug. I’m good with affection from about seven people in my life total.
One at a time.
Otherwise, I’m a huge fan of my personal bubble and no one being in it.
Sammy hugs are pretty darn magical, but when he’s excited, his hugs are like being hit by a linebacker. Or a moose.A linebacker moose.
If he could hold still, I’d probably fall asleep on him, but of course, he can’t.
Chapter 12
Everybody Talks
“Ilike her, Lu Lu, even if you were just trying to get her off your man.”
Sam’s bouncing around, still bursting with uncontained energy the show did little to dissipate.
“He’s not mine, and I do not own the rights to him. I’m just the unwanted girl repellent. She lit up when she saw you, so I didn’t think you’d mind. She’s sweet, just young.”
“She ain’t you, though,” he says, country as cornbread.
“Aww, Sammy, I didn’t know you felt that way.”
“I meant toDanny, she ain’t you. It would be pointless formebecause at least three other guys would fight me before I could get close enough to try.”
