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But he’s not going to let me get away that easily.
“I heard she let you in on a family secret. The ingredient that makes your grandmother’s French toast so fluffy.”
“How’d you hear that?”
“She told me. Actually, sheinterrogatedme, to see if you’d spilled it to me. She said you’re terrible at keeping secrets.”
“It’s not that great of a secret. Gran puts?—”
“Wait!” He holds up his hand. “If you tell me, I’ll be duty bound to let Roxie know the next time I stop into the diner for a coffee. Your entire family will be disappointed in you.”
“Ugh. My dad is the best at the Disappointed Dad frown. Okay, I’ll honor their wishes and take the darn secret ingredient to the grave.”
“Roxie was impressed that I didn’t know yet. You almost just blew it. And… I win.” He clicks a piece against the board as he jumps my last checker and tosses it to the side. “The chitchat… Got you again,” he says with a smirk.
“I swear, I’m wearing ear plugs on Friday night.”
“I’ll sign for you.” He flashes a few American Sign Language moves.
I reach out to swat his hand. “I’m not gonna get swept up in a captivating conversation about A, B, C, you goof.”
“Knowing you, you might. So, that’s a tie.” He tilts the board, so his pieces slide off. Then he sweeps them to the side and sets the board between us again. “Tiebreaker?”
“You know it. Wait, though—what time is it? Don’t you have to be to work early?” I reach for my phone.
The photo I took of Outlaw and Mittens is my new background. In front of it, I can see the time, stamped in white: 11:13.
“Okay, Doctor Doom, we better take a rain check on this tiebreaker. You need your beauty sleep, right?”
“I don’t know if there’s room up there. My bed’s occupied.”
“I’m about to take one of those two love-bugs home to his own beddy-bye, so some space is about to open up. Don’t fret.”
I stand and pat his shoulder on my way to the sink. “Besides, that’s a king mattress you have up there. It’s not like you’re short on space.”
Mistake.
Definite mistake.
Talking about his bed: fine. Dealable.
Talking about the size of his mattress… while touching his shoulder?
Notfine.
Notdealable.
I feel my cheeks flush as I place my mug in the sink.
Why is it that just when I’m settling into a comfortable zone with this guy, some moment like this happens?
It’s me.
It has to be me.
I’m making this awkward.
Then again…he’sthe one who got all soft and sincere up in his bedroom earlier tonight. He wanted to talk aboutus. What’s happening between us.
