“Shut up.”
Fourteen minutes and one shot of expresso later, I was ready for this date to end. “I didn’t know you needed a license to be a funeral director,” I said. “That’s interesting.”
“It’s a very rewarding career,” Richard explained.
“I bet,” Maddox grumbled.
I’d failed at acting unaffected by Maddox’ presence. He was driving me crazy. At one point, his thigh brushed against mine and I almost toppled off the bench. I told myself it was because I was trying to get away from him, but I knew it was really because I wanted to sit on his lap—or his face.Or both.
Richard seemed oblivious to my inner turmoil though. He’d talked ad nauseam about funerals and the embalming process. And the entire time, I was thinking about Maddox. Maddox’ hands. Maddox’ lips. Maddox’ dick. At one point, I was concerned that all the funeral talk was bringing up bad memories for Maddox since he’d shared that he recently lost his mother. But it appeared he was just fine with the conversation because I’d caught him snickering quite a few times. More than likely at my expense.
My phone buzzed on the table. I glanced at the screen.
Maddox:He’s not the one for you.
I cracked a smile, and sent a quick response:Really? What gave it away?
The tiny dots bounced around and his reply came a few seconds later:The drool on your chin from your little catnap a few minutes ago.
My cheeks burned and I prayed he was just playing with me. Just to be sure, I wiped my face with a napkin before I typed:I didn’t fall asleep.
Maddox:You absolutely did. Right around the time he started talking about cremation.
I giggled.Shut up. You promised to be good.
Maddox:I’ll be good when you admit that you want me.
Dammit, I did want him. I set my phone face down on the table and forced my attention back to Richard. “Well, it was good to see you again.” I stood and tucked my planner into my bag. “I have a meeting across town, so I should probably get on the road.”
Richard hugged me. “Oh yeah. Maybe we can do this again?”
That would be a hell no. But since he was my first-grade teacher’s son, I decided to be nice. “We’ll see. Tell your mom I said hello.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” he offered.
I eyed Maddox who was now staring at me unabashedly. “I’m fine,” I assured. “Have a great day.”
Richard squeezed my shoulder. “You too.”
The moment Richard left the café, I glared at Maddox. “You’re killing me.”
He barked out a laugh.Shit, even his laugh is sexy. “I just want you to be honest with yourself.”
I picked up my bag. “I am honest. Honestly leaving your ass here. Bye, Maddox.”
* * *
“When are you going to stop getting gutter balls, sis?” My brother, LJ, shook his head and he wiped his bowling ball off with a rag. “We’re losing to Mom and Dad.”
Our first game was not even close. And this game? Yeah, pretty much the same. But being with my siblings, eating pizza and drinking Dr. Pepper, playing one of our favorite games…Priceless.
I glared at him. “Shut up, punk. Mom and Dad have bowled on a league since before we were born. They have a competitive advantage.”
“Excuses. That’s all I hear.” He held his ball low at arm’s length, scooted to the right an inch, aimed his ball, then threw his patented hook ball. Because my brother could’ve been a professional himself.Strike. LJ popped his collar and strutted to the bench, kissing his pregnant wife and giving Courtney a high-five. Glancing at me, he said, “That’s how you put a score on the board.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up. Get on the Tonk table, and I’ll show you how to win something.” Earlier in the day, we’d played cards with my parents and, let’s just say, I won enough money to buy the Nike running shoes I’d been wanting. “I’m willing to take your money again. I need a new workout outfit.”
He shoved me playfully. “Oh, I let you win. Now I don’t have to buy your ass a Christmas present.”
