“I’m good with it. We’d have to shut down for a night, but I’m cool with that if you are.”
“I don’t mind shutting down for a night,” Rex says, his eyes scanning the list. “And this looks good. I can’t think of anyone to add.”
“Perfect.” I take the list, tuck it into a file folder I made for the party, and pull out another piece of paper. “Now let’s talk colors and flowers.”
Dante pushes up from his chair, hands raised in surrender. “This is where I draw the line.”
“I’m with Dante on this one,” Rex adds. “Can we just trust you to make the decisions?”
“You really don’t want any say? You have no preferences? Because I was thinking moss and wildflowers. Maybe belles of Ireland, dogwood, or some cosmos and witch hazel—something soft and simple yet elegant.”
The two brothers stare at me with blank faces, and I roll my eyes.
“Okay, I’ll just go with it. What about food and music?”
Dante shrugs. “Just go with that too.”
“No. You guys have to have some input. What if your mother ends up hating what I choose for dessert? This is her party. I want you both to have a say.”
“When it comes time to make those decisions, I’ll help,” Rex says.
Dante claps his brother on the back. “Way to take one for the team. Now, if this little powwow is over, I have a woman waiting on me. Shae, it was a pleasure. Don’t forget to have all the bills sent to Rex.” He shoots me a mischievous smile and turns to his brother. “You good to catch a ride home?”
Rex nods. “I’m good. Go. Tell Felicity I said hi.”
After flipping the sign to CLOSED, Shae and I walk out, and she turns to lock the door behind us.
“If you wanted to see me again, you could have called instead of seeking me out this way.”
“I didn’t seek you out, and I didn’t call because we both agreed to one night, remember?”
Her smile falters. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“You’ve been thinking about me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
Pressing a hand against the door, I cage her in. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
She swallows thickly, her throat bobbing with the effort. “You have?”
I nod. “I can’t stop. The way you smell. The way you taste. I didn’t even want to take a shower the next day because I could still taste you on my lips.”
“Rex.”
“I wanted to call. I’ve picked up the goddamn phone a hundred times over the last few days, but I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
Removing my arm, I take a step back. “Because I knew if I did this would turn into more, and you’re not looking for more.”
“Right.” She nods as though she’s trying to convince herself.
r /> “Any big plans tonight?” I ask, putting my hands in my pockets so I don’t do something stupid like reach out for her and seal my lips over hers.
Shae glances at her watch, a frown tilting her lips. For a split second I get the feeling she’s a little disappointed, but the look quickly passes. “Nah. Just gonna head home.”
Not ready to walk away from her, and still hoping for that third night, I say, “Want to share an Uber?”