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Between his backpack and the overexcited woman trying to climb him like a jungle gym, August lost his balance and stumbled backward, falling to the ground on his backside with Meredith still wrapped around him. Rolling through the dewygrass, they both laughed like lunatics, probably disturbing half the neighborhood with the volume of their exuberance.
Once calmed, they both struggled to their feet, where Meredith pulled him into another hug and kissed his cheek. “Oops.”
The one word sent them into more peals of laughter, and it took several attempts to climb the steps and make it into the house.
“You look good, Auggie. Tired, but good.” Inside the foyer, Meredith took his hand and led him toward the curving staircase. “C’mon, I made up the guest room.”
“You know, I have been here before, Mer.” Gently, he extracted his hand from her grip and turned her toward her own room there on the bottom floor. “If I look tired, you look exhausted.” He gave her a little nudge between the shoulder blades. “Get some sleep. We have all week to catch up. Really, I got this,” he added when she stared at him without moving.
“Fine.” With a quiet sigh, she bounced forward and kissed him on the cheek again before retreating a few steps. “Feel free to use the shower. I’ll see you for breakfast in the morning.”
He waited until she disappeared into her room and shut the door behind before lugging his bags up the staircase to the spare bedroom. Deciding to skip the shower until morning, August dropped his bags to the floor by the dresser and kicked his shoes off at the foot of the bed. Then he crawled up on the mattress, still completely dressed, and drifted to sleep instantly.
He slept like the dead, or so he suspected, because when he pried his eyes open the next morning, he hadn’t moved an inch. It felt like almost no time had passed since he’d fallen asleep, but the smell of cinnamon and maple syrup assaulted his nose, and yellow beams of sunlight filtered in through the partially opened blinds.
With a wide yawn, August scrubbed his face with both hands and rolled off the bed. Meredith always took such good care of him, and as much as he’d like to sleep a little longer, he couldn’t resist the allure of his favorite breakfast. Since he lived alone, he rarely cooked for himself. Besides, he’d never mastered the delicate art of French toast like Meredith had.
Grabbing a change of clothes and a toothbrush from his backpack, he shuffled groggily into the attached bathroom. The hot water from the shower relieved some of the tension in his neck and shoulders, while Meredith’s peppermint shampoo shot through his senses like a jolt of caffeine. By the time he finished his shower, dressed, and jogged down the stairs, he felt mostly human again.
Meredith gave him a beaming smile as he entered the kitchen. “Well, good morning, sleepyhead.” Then she pointed to a chair at the table and snapped her fingers. “Sit. I’ll get you a plate. Coffee?”
“Please,” August answered around another yawn. Damn, he’d forgotten how perky she could be in the mornings. “What time is it anyway?”
“Almost nine.” Meredith placed a steaming mug of coffee in front of him, along with the sugar and cream. Then she drifted back over to the stove, humming off-key as she flipped a slice of bread on the griddle. “How many pieces? Two? Three?”
“Just two, thank you.”
Lifting the mug to his lips, August inhaled deeply, moaning at the rich scent of freshly ground hazelnut coffee. “You really do make the best coffee.”
“I make the best everything,” Meredith corrected. Setting a plate in front of him, she ruffled his hair and giggled. “Eat.”
Loading his fork with sugary, syrupy toast, he shoved the bite into his mouth and nearly creamed his jeans. Slumping back in his chair, he closed his eyes and moaned like a shameless slut.
“This is freaking awesome.”
Meredith winked across the table at him as she settled into her chair with her own mug of coffee. “So, what are your plans for the day?”
“Not sure,” he answered around another forkful of fried bread. “I might head downtown and do some shopping.” Sure, they had malls in Tulsa, but nothing like the Circle Center Mall. “Or maybe over to Broad Ripple Village to check out the new shops.” A mischievous smirk tilted one side of his mouth, and he surveyed his best friend over the rim of his coffee cup. “That is, unless you want me to wait so you can go with me.”
Meredith’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “You’re kidding, right?” She shook her head hard enough to make her auburn waves bounce. “When have you ever known me to enjoyshopping?” Bless her, but she almost choked on the last word.
“You’re breaking my heart.” Sliding his lower lip out, August made it wobble theatrically as he feigned disappointment. “You’re really going to make me go alone?”
“Too right, you are.” Meredith nodded with finality, adding a little snort for emphasis. “I’m glad we settled that.”
August rolled his eyes and shoveled more toast into his mouth to hide his smile. Just the talk of shopping, manicures, and shoe sales made Meredith twitchy, and he could see the distaste narrowing her eyes as she continued to dwell on his invitation.
“Mer, relax. You know I was just messing with you.” August ducked his head, unable to look her in the eye. “I might call Micah, see if he wants to have lunch.”
He’d hoped for casual and indifferent, but judging by the way Meredith’s eyebrows arched and her lips twitched, he had the sinking feeling he hadn’t been successful.
“I think that’s a great idea.” She said no more of the subject as she rose from her seat, circled the table, and kissed August on the top of his head. “I have to get ready to go into the shop. Inventory isn’t going to do itself, and I’m supposed to meet with some witch this afternoon.”
“Mer…” Witches were not good company to keep.
“Relax. She’s not a real witch.” Meredith slid her coffee mug across the counter and sashayed toward the doorway. “She’s just some local hippie who wants to sell me some pretty stones and scented water to pass off as amulets and potions to the tourists.”
Maybe, maybe not. August smiled and gave a little wave. He wouldn’t argue, knew it wouldn’t do any good, but he made a mental note to check up on the situation before he left to go home.
