His smile is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s boyish. Surprised. Like I’ve touched some part of him simply from wanting to help apply the temporary tattoo that helps transform him into Sam Silversmith. Last week’s has already faded. “Come over beforehand and you can. I need an hour for the color to set in.”
I shimmy my shoulders. “I’m going to help the rock star get ready tonight,” I say, or really, I sing it.
He rolls his eyes and sets the plate down. “Eat, woman.”
I grab my fork, but I don’t tuck in yet. “Did you know you’re a cuddle monster?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Please. You wrap me up like I’m the insides of a burrito.”
He snorts out a laugh. “And I’m the tortilla?”
I nod. “Yup.”
He shakes his head in disbelief but then winks. “And you love it.”
“You love it,” I toss back.
He blows me a kiss that saysyesas he makes himself some avocado toast to go with his eggs.
At last, I dig in, moaning around the forkful. When I’m done, I say, “I was right. Youcancook.”
“I can cook, and I can…eat.”
“I know, Sawyer. Trust me, I know,” I say, before taking another forkful. It’s delicious. Especially the mango.
When we’re both finished, he says, “I’m claiming dessert rights.”
“Wait. How does that work? You just claim them?”
“Like this,” he says, then moves around the island, scoops me off the stool, and carries me to the living room. He sets me down on the couch and has me for his second breakfast.
“Mmm. You can have dessert rights anytime,” I say.
His smile is wolfish. “Good answer.”
* * *
After breakfast and a fast shower, I help clean up in the kitchen, then hop into Sawyer’s car. He gives my dog a pat on the head. Their friendship makes my heart twist. “I think you like me for my dog,” I say when Sawyer slides into the driver’s seat.
I meant it as a joke, but as I replay it…I think it came out more cutting than I’d intended.
Sawyer narrows his eyes. “Seriously?”
I gulp. “No, but, well…you seem to like him.”
He takes a beat as he pulls out and heads down the road. “And this is a problem?”
I wince. Shit. I’m an idiot. Thisisa good thing empirically. I’m just taking it the wrong way because I’ve been burned. “Sorry.It’s not you. It is a good thing. August was never that good with Captain, and I know it’s good you like him. I think I just got…”
I don’t want to say it—wary. That’s too much to share. But then, I flash back to the first night we spent together when we aired all our dirty laundry. Sawyer has to already know. “I have trust issues,” I say with a forced smile as I try to make light of his comment.
He reaches a hand across and sets it on my thigh. “Me too. I get it, Chloe. Sometimes they make you second-guess everything.”
I breathe a huge sigh of relief, feeling both silly and seen. “Yes! Exactly. The whole thing with my ex and the job, not to mention the stupid decision I made to marry him on a dare, makes me think…well, that my radar is off. I mean, not with you,” I say, backpedaling, because I just insulted him too. I groan and drop my face into my palm. “I’m messing this whole thing up.”
He squeezes harder. “Sweetheart, I thought you were stalking me when you showed up with coconut bread. I get it. Trust me. I truly do.”
