I shook my head.
His grin confirmed he knew he liquefied me. He scanned the empty room before his hands pushed my knees apart, and he moved closer as his fingers slid to the back of my neck and pulled me to him before kissing me so deeply I may have passed out for a second before he pulled away.
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
Could I live on a diet of gummy bears and Reese Peanut Butter cups forever and ever? Hard yes. “I’d like that.”
“I have film and practice so I’ll pick you up at five. Wear a sexy dress.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Don’t you be telling me what to do.”
“You like it when I tell you what to do.” He growled as a little chill walked up the back of my neck. “Please wear a sexy dress because my mouth waters at the thought. I’m taking you out for a fancy dinner.”
“I’ll be ready.” I knew my eyes told him for more than dinner as my uncontrollable cheeks grew hot.
I made my way to my mom’s car, and she gasped at the red mark on the side of my face.
“Fern, what in the hell happened to you? Why do you have a mark on your face?”
“I was being cool Fern and took out a door with my face.”
She grimaced. “Please tell me handsome Gabriel didn’t see?”
“Of course, he saw. You know I constantly make an ass of myself.” I buckled as she started to drive. “He doctored me up.”
“Oooh,” she giggled.
“Stop. Do you think anything would happen in a banquet room?”
“Well, you’re my daughter, and back in the day, I didn’t really worry about where things happened when I was hot and heavy with your pop, if you know what I’m saying.”
“I think you’re saying you were a little slutty?”
Laughter filled the front seat. “Not slutty. Just adventurous.”
“Please stop.” I plugged my ears as she punched me in the shoulder.
“Did I ever tell you that you were conceived in a cornfield after a night on the town? I’d told your father we’d been married five years and had lost our spontaneity. So he drove into a cornfield, and bam, nine months later, there you were.”
“My ears are melting. For the love of God, stop talking.”
“You’re fighting a smile.”
She poked my ribs, and I giggled like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.
“Spill it.”
“Gabe said he’s taking me to dinner tomorrow night and to wear something fancy.”
She clapped her hands as we slid into traffic. “This is so exciting!” A horn blew to our left as she screamed, “Scendi dalla strada, idiota!”
“Not if you kill us tonight. Keep your hands on the wheel, crazy lady.”
“Did you bring any fancy clothes home?”
“Nope. I shipped all my stuff from my last apartment to the one I’m heading to. I only have a few nice things to wear for Tawnee’s wedding weekend.”
“Well, it looks like we’re doing some shopping tomorrow,” she dramatically gasped. “We’ll make a day of it at the Mall of America! Doesn’t that sound fun?”
