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He keeps walking and part of me wants to tackle him.
There are moments when a goalie is supposed to stop something. This was one of them.
Eva turns her head slowly in my direction. “What brunch?”
I shake my head slowly. “I’m trading Owen.”
“What’s he talking about?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” I groan.
Her suspicion grows. “You were going to surprise me, an introvert, with a party?”
“It’s not a party, it’s brunch.”
“A party with breakfast food is still a party.”
“It isn’t a big one.”
“How many people?”
I count them again, hoping the number has somehow changed. “Including us, about sixteen.”
“Sixteen?” Shock begins to register and all I can think is I’m about to march us ten steps back after we just took twelve forward.
“Okay, so part of this was Lucy’s idea. She thinks it’s romantic.”
“And what did you think?”
“That if the announcement didn’t go your way, you should have people around who love you.” I hold up my hands, as if protecting myself. “And if it does, which it will, we should be there to celebrate.”
Some of her suspicion fades.
“Before you accuse me of ambushing you,” I add, “I planned to tell you what was happening before you left your house.”
“What?” Eva starts laughing really hard now. “I didn’t know I was leaving my house.”
“Right.” All part of the surprise that is not happening now. “That was also going to be part of the information I gave you tomorrow. I was planning to show up and grovel for your forgiveness. Surprise.” I spread my hands. “Now you know everything that’s happening and can prepare for all of it.”
She considers this.
“What’s happening in there right now?” I ask.
“In where?”
I tap her head. “Here.”
“There are currently several parts of me responding,” she murmurs. “One is giddy. Another is mildly spinning out at the thought of watching the announcement in front of a group of people.”
“And the rest?”
Her gaze drops to my mouth. “The rest is in love.”
Heat moves through me, slow and sure. I hook an arm around her waist and pull her against me. “That part’s my favorite.”
She tries but fails to hide her smile. “Then I’ll come.”
For one dangerous second, brunch is not where my mind goes.
