Page 95 of No Judgements

Grimacing, I elbowed him in the ribs.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Drew,” his aunt said. “I meant lunch. My husband and niece are down at our restaurant serving free food to this entire island, practically, and other restaurants have joined us in donating their food, as well, to serve before it spoils. Would any of you like to meet me down there, to share a meal? They’ve cleared our street, so I’d be happy to take you in our minivan.”

I glanced at my mother to see her reaction, since she had never set foot in a minivan in her life.

“Why, I think that would be lovely,” she said. “We’d be happy to, wouldn’t we, Steen?”

“I’m starving,” Steen said, finally putting away his phone. “I’d love it.”

“I’d be happy to come.” Dr. Svenson gently pushed Garyfrom her lap—though he protested quite vocally—and rose to her feet. “So long as they have vegetarian options.”

“They will,” I assured her.

“Well.” Mrs. Hartwell beamed. “Let’s go, then! Let me just go find my purse.”

She hustled back toward the kitchen, while Drew tugged on my hand and pulled me out into the hallway.

“What?” I asked as he pressed me up against the wall, out of sight of the others.

“Nothing.” He swept a few loose strands of hair from my face, then leaned down to kiss me. As usual, it felt as if fireworks were going off inside my body. “Just, I get it, now.”

“Get what?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to kiss him some more.

“Why you are the way you are—completely insane.”

“Thanks for the compliment. What explanation do we have for why you’re the way you are?”

“You mean so kind, sweet, and handsome?”

“I mean such a raving lunatic.”

“Oh, I was dropped on my head frequently as a child.”

“Yeah,” I said, thoroughly enjoying the feel of his long, hard body as it pressed me against the wall. “I can tell.”

“After lunch, and when we get all the rest of those damned animals fed, can I take you back to my place and ravage you again?”

“I was counting on it.”

“What about your mothers?”

“Don’t invite them.”

“Okay, good.” He kissed me again, then nibbled on my lower lip. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

There was a cough from the hallway, and we turned our heads to see my two mothers, Steen, and Drew’s aunt staring at us.

“Um,” Mrs. Hartwell said. “We’re ready to go if you two are.”

Drew and I burst out laughing.

Epilogue

Four Months Later

Time:8:22P.M.

Temperature:72ºF