Page 99 of Maid For Each Other

But everything returned, soft and muted and lovely, as our fuzzy surroundings came into focus again. He pulled me into his body, turning me to face him, and dropped a kiss on the tip of my nose.

My eyes were burning alarmingly as he gave me the sweetest smile, pushed my damp hair back, and said, “Is it weird to say the scorpion was worth it? That I’m sort of glad that little fucker cornered you in the shower?”

I coughed out a laugh and raised a hand to touch his cheek, reveling in the feel of such soft skin on an unyieldingly chiseled face.

Abeautifulface.

“Well, I mean, it seems kind of wrong when they’re apparently poisonous,” I said, tracing his dark eyebrow with my index finger. “But I feel the same way.”

He swallowed, and I wasn’t sure why I was always so obsessed with that.

With the movement of his Adam’s apple.

Probably because I liked to think it was some sort of emotional tell, a sign that he was feeling things that his mouth wasn’t saying.

“So you’re saying you feel the same way,” he said, his voice low and rumbly, where I could feel it in my chest. His eyes moved all over my face, like he was searching for something, and then he kissed my forehead. “Good to know.”

36

Bowling

Declan

“There are definitely scorpions in Kansas City.”

I looked at my dad and wasn’t sure whether to laugh or mock him because at this point, I didn’t need his confirmation. Obviously there were scorpions in Kansas City because Abi and I had seen one up close and personal.

“That was definitely a surprise I didn’t expect to enjoy on your birthday,” I admitted.

“I’m really impressed by your idea to suck that thing up,” Roman said. “Good thinking.”

Abi popped up beside me and held a basket of fries in front of my face.

“I thought we were going to share fries,” I said, though not really hungry.

“You did say that,” she said, “but I don’t like to share my fries so I got you your own.”

“Is that right?” I said, obsessed with the teasing glint in her eye.

Obsessed with everything about her, actually. If I’d been into her before the scorpion, I was over-the-top, out-of-my-head into her now.

I would’ve been happy never leaving that room. I’d actually begged her to let me call in sick to the birthday party, but she wouldn’t hear of it.

“Yeah, but if you can’t finish yours, let me know and I’m sure I can help,” she said with a grin.

“You have quite the appetite, Mariano,” I said.

“What is that?” my dad asked.

“Fries…?” I said, unsure of his confusion.

“No, you just called her Mariano,” he said, his eyes narrowed in confusion. “What’s that all about?”

Oh, shit.I scratched my chin, looking for a way out. I’d gotten so used to calling her that that I didn’t even notice when it happened anymore.

“It’s a quote from a show we like,” Abi said, smiling like it was a cute story. “Have you ever seenGilmore Girls?”

“Can’t say that I have,” my father said, and it made me laugh, the idea of my dad watchingGilmore Girls.

---