I was. Not to mention the fact that now I was trying not to imagine her handcuffed to my bed.
And I’d agreed to take her to the wedding. At least there would be lots of people around—that was the main reason I agreed to go with her. That, and the fact that I knew she was right about having a good time. I was pretty sure she and I could have a good time anywhere, fully clothed or buck naked, vertical or horizontal or any angle in between . . . but if I stuck to public places, we’d be safe. She’d be safe.
I glanced at her one more time and amended my statement: public places where she would not eat with her hands. No ribs, no ice cream cones, and especially no dripping hot icing.
“So what do I have to wear to the wedding?” I asked, trying to distract myself.
“A suit, if you’ve got one.” She wiped her hands on her napkin.
“Yes, I’ve got one. I’ve actually got two. Despite what my mother and sister think, I’m not a total Neanderthal.”
She laughed. “Sorry. I’m sure you’ll look great. If it helps, my dress is a cinnamon color.”
I squinted at my plate. “You mean brown?”
“No, I mean cinnamon,” she said like I was a first grader.
“Cinnamon is brown, Sawyer.”
She rolled her eyes and gave me an exasperated sigh. “Okay, it’s a shade somewhere between brown and red. Does that compute?”
“Better.” I reached for my coffee. “How about a dark gray suit?”
“Perfect,” she said, picking up her phone from the counter. “Sorry, my mom is texting me.”
“Go ahead.” While she replied to her mom, I finished eating, hoping her dress was long enough to cover her legs and showed no cleavage. With any luck, it would have a turtleneck.
“Confirming appointments for the salon on Wednesday.” Meg set her phone down. “What do you think, up or down?”
“Huh?”
“My hair. Up or down?” She yanked out her ponytail and let her hair swing loose around her shoulders. “This is down, although it’s not very pretty right now, so just picture it smooth and curled. Or up.” She lifted it off her neck and piled it on the top of her head, then looked at me expectantly.
I laughed. “I’ve got no opinion on this. You always look good.”
“Come on! Up or down, I need help. And you have to look at me all night.”
I stuck the last bite of potatoes in my mouth. “Is your dress long or short?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Just asking.”
“It’s long.”
“And how about the top? Does it have sleeves? Or is it strapless?”
“It has sleeves,” she answered.
“Good.”
“Good?” She looked confused, her hands still nested in her hair. “Why are sleeves good?” She let her hair fall and examined her elbows. “Is there something wrong with my arms?”
“No.” I set my fork on my empty plate and pushed it away. “I was just curious.” And I want to make sure I’ll be able to control my unsavory urges around you. “Wear it down, I guess.”
“Why?”
“For fuck’s sake, Sawyer.” I gave her a menacing look. “I don’t know. Because it’s natural. And it smells nice.”
“Okay, okay.” She put her ponytail back in. “So what should we do now?”
I checked the time. “I should go back and let Renzo out.”
“Oh. Right.”
“And then I have to head over to my mom’s to pick up Asher. I’m taking him to work today.”
She smiled. “I’d love to see him while I’m home.”
“He’d like that,” I said, happy that she’d asked. “He remembers you. Asked me if you still like to watch true crime shows.”
“Really?” That irresistible smile got bigger. “That’s so sweet. And the answer is yes, of course.”
“How was everything, guys?” Frannie came over and cleared our plates.
“Excellent,” said Noah, pulling out his wallet. “We’re all set, and I will definitely be back.”
“Good.” Frannie smiled. “Put your money away, breakfast was on me.”
“Frannie, you don’t have to do that.” Meg tugged on my arm. “And Noah, I invited you to breakfast, so I’ll buy.”
“Neither of you are buying, because it was on the house.” Frannie shooed us toward the door. “Now go on. Get out of here and enjoy the day.”
I pulled a twenty from my wallet and placed it on the counter. “Tip. Thanks for everything.”
“That’s too much!” Frannie cried indignantly.
“The service was exceptional.” I flashed a grin at her and took Meg by the shoulders, steering her toward the door before she could get out her wallet or her sister could get around the