talking about Cloverleigh Farms. By the time she and I were left by ourselves, our beers and food had arrived.
“I brought you some extra napkins,” said the server as she set them down. Then she smiled at Meg. “And by the way, I love your shirt. I’m totally a murderino.”
Meg gave me a smug look. “Thanks.”
I shook my head as the server walked away. “Women scare me.”
“Oh, stop. Nothing scares you.”
It wasn’t true, but I liked that she thought it. I reached for a rib. My mouth was watering.
“You’re so popular,” Meg teased, spreading her napkin on her lap. “At least ten people are staring over here right now.”
“That means there will be gossip.” I frowned as I chewed and swallowed. “And this is a small town, so it’ll travel fast. By tomorrow, we’ll be married.”
She giggled. “With a couple of kids on the way.”
I picked up a second rib and started gnawing on it. “A couple?”
“Twins.”
“Twins. Right.”
She popped a French fry in her mouth. “How’s Asher doing?”
“Good. He’s got a new communication device, which was ridiculously expensive yet worth every penny, that has helped his confidence a lot. And he finally got a job, which is great, but he tires easily.”
“Where does he work?”
“For Logan’s, in the executive offices.”
“Cool. That’s Chris’s family’s business, right?”
“Yeah. He was applying for jobs and not having much luck, because people are assholes and don’t look beyond the disability. Asher was really frustrated, because he’d worked so long and hard for his IT degree and he’s really good with computers.”
“That sucks. Poor Asher.”
“But Chris’s entire family has been awesome.”
“What does he do there?”
“Computer work. Inventory, payroll, website management, communications. He started an email newsletter for them too.”
“That’s awesome. Is he still living with your mom?”
“Yep.”
“Is he okay with that?”
“As far as I know. Back when I was still in the Army, they tried a kind of group home for him, but he and my mother hated it. I think he was back home within two weeks.”
“Why did Asher hate it?”
I tried to think back. “Asher’s anxiety was a lot worse back then. I think that had a lot to do with it. He’s come a long way with different kinds of therapy and the new speech device, and his doctor recently prescribed an antidepressant too. That’s helped him a lot.”
She took a rib from the plate between us and sank her teeth into the meat. “Does he have friends or a social life?”
“Not really.” I frowned. “I try to get him out some, but it’s hard. On top of having CP and anxiety about the way people see him, he’s just shy. And between us, I think my mother feeds that anxiety sometimes. Not on purpose, exactly, but it’s as if she feels like she’s protecting him by discouraging his independence.”
“Or it’s just how she shows love, by being the caretaker,” Meg suggested. “She’s still working at the clinic?”
“Yeah. And helping my sister with her gigantic brood.”
Meg laughed. “How many kids does Nina have?”
“Three, and another one about to pop out.”
“Wow. Full house. That’s impressive.”
“And loud. But the kids are awesome.”
“You like being an uncle?”
“I love it.” But what I really loved was the way she was sucking on the rib bone now that she’d eaten off all the meat. And licking her fingers. It was turning me on. How come I’d never noticed what a great mouth she had? Or how sexy it was watching her eat and enjoy her food? Or how one of her eyebrows arched up higher than the other one, as if she knew what I was thinking and liked it?
Jesus, I really needed to stop fantasizing about her.
It was starting to mess with my head.
Six
Meg
Being with Noah was so easy. I’d almost forgotten how easy. And he looked so good in his blue T-shirt. It was tight on his chest and biceps, showing off his muscles. His butt looked nice in his jeans too.
He’d been cute as a teenage lifeguard, a total stud in his military days, but now—as a grown man and a cop? Hot as hell. And clearly everyone in town liked him. How the hell was he still single? I mean, good with kids and animals, great body, fun sense of humor, fantastic at his job . . . Were the women around here crazy? He’d be an amazing husband and dad too.
“Maybe you should have a couple kids of your own,” I suggested. “Since you love being an uncle so much.”