We both laughed, and just like that, everything was right in my world again.
I raked my finger over the paddle on the mixer and then licked it. “Mmmm. That’s delicious. And you said you couldn’t cook.”
She looked down at the bowl, her whole body jerking at the sight. “What the hell?”
“Clearly you have some skills hidden in there somewhere.”
She grinned. “Where the hell were those when I was ruining dinner?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My dinner was amazing.”
She frowned at me over her shoulder. “You’re already getting laid tonight. You can stop lying now.”
I barked a laugh and tickled her side. “Another installment already? Have I mentioned you’re my best client?”
“Hey, hey, hey. Stop! I’m not done yet. They’re missing the most important ingredients.” She ducked out of my arms and walked to her bag on the corner, pulling out caramel sauce, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows.
“Oh, wow,” I said, pretending to be surprised.
“They don’t call these babies loaded for nothing.”
As we walked the neighborhood that night, the same route I’d forced Sally to take at least once a week for months, I allowed Remi to lead the way home. Clyde knew how to get back. Sugar too. But when we reached the four-way stop, Remi looked up at me, unsure which path to take. I couldn’t decide if I was more relieved or disappointed.
Just as I’d expected, and much to her shock, the brownies turned out incredible. I guessed it was time to get back to running on Sundays.
Remi
“You don’t have to come inside,” I told Bowen, his hand wrapped around mine as we pulled into a parking spot. The shopping center was packed, but since it was home to four amazing restaurants, two trendy bars, a boutique, and a kick-ass coffee shop, that wasn’t unusual. “You could just go next door and have a drink and I’ll meet you when I’m done.”
He put the truck in park and flashed me a white smile that warmed me in all the right places. “I wouldn’t have volunteered to come with you if I wanted to sit at a bar alone.”
“I know, but these survivors’ mixers aren’t exactly a riveting experience. On a good day, two or three people show up and Katherine tries to make small talk while we all stare at each other, pretending it isn’t awkward as hell.”
“Babe, it’s fine.” He kissed the back of my hand before releasing it. “Let’s go be awkward. I know you’ve been wanting to see Katherine and Tim again anyway.”
I had, but only so I could bitch at Tim for not calling me to help. Though, with seven figures in my bank account and more than likely a similar amount in Katherine’s, I was hoping they had all the help they needed now.
I grinned. “You’re a good Sirfriend, Mr. Michaels.”
“I can’t be that good. I haven’t made you Mrs. Michaels yet.”
My breath caught and my eyes flared.
Oh.
My.
God.
Had he really just said that? Mrs. Michaels?
I mean, things with us had been moving fast, but we hadn’t even been together for two months yet. Was he seriously thinking about marriage already?
It was way way way way waaaaaaay too soon for that.
Right?
We did love each other though. And I spent practically every night at his house, sans Wednesdays when I hung out with the guys. And he had replaced my shampoo and conditioner in his shower when they’d recently run out all on his own. My toothbrush was on his counter. My clothes hung in his closet. I even had a drawer where he put my panties and bras after he did the laundry.
Oh holy fuck, were we already married?
My back shot straight and I could feel the blood drain from my face. “Is…um, that something you’ve been thinking about recently?”
He smirked. “Before this moment? Every fucking day. After seeing that horrified expression on your face? Nope.”
My shoulders fell. Damn. I really needed to work on not being so transparent. “I don’t look that horrified.”
He turned in his seat to fully face me. “Remi, I’ve seen people being arrested for tax evasion look less scared.”
“I’m just…surprised. That’s all. Isn’t it kinda soon to be talking about…you know.”
“Marriage.” He chuckled. “You can say the word. A ring won’t magically appear on your finger or anything.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know that.” However, at the mention of it, my gaze flicked down to my hand.
Bowen let out a deep belly laugh. “Relax. I’m not proposing. There’s been no ring shopping. No asking permission from your father. Nothing. But…yeah, I’ve thought about it. You in a white dress. Us buying a house together. Seeing you waddling through the living room with our baby growing inside you. Boys with your sense of humor. Girls with your fiery attitude. None of them with your natural grace.” He winked. “Holidays in the mountains. Vacations at the beach. A whole fucking forever together.” He reached across the center console and wrapped his hand around the side of my neck, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw. “And that was just the stuff I thought about while my nose was bleeding on the courthouse steps.”
