Make Me Bad(77)

“Yeah, but Eli doesn’t make out with me in here before the toddlers show up.”

At this, her bottom lip juts out.

“Well, if you ask him, I bet he would,” I say, deadpan. “He seems like an understanding guy.”

She throws her hands up in annoyance. The penguin hits the ceiling. “Okay, fine. If you must know, it just felt like this was one reason you had to spend time with me every week. I knew no matter what, you’d have to show up here on Saturdays to volunteer with me.”

“Right, but we’re dating now. I see you nearly every day.”

“Yeah, but we’re probably only together because I’m your hot volunteer coordinator. You get off on the fact that it’s forbidden.”

“It is in no way forbidden for me to date you.”

“Then if it isn’t that, it’s the hot librarian thing. Look at me! I’m sex on a stick!”

She’s wearing a sunflower yellow dress. No makeup. Her rich brown hair is nothing short of wild.

She’s fucking gorgeous.

I decide to push something I’ve been tiptoeing around for weeks.

“You’re right. It’s not enough, what we have right now. I want more.”

Her eyes light up. “So you’ll keep volunteering here?”

No. I need to carve out some time on Saturday mornings to get stuff done at the office, but it should work out well. I’ll work while she’s here, doing story time, then I’ll swing by to pick her up when I’m done. We’ll spend our afternoons at the park, making out, scarring the children.

“Move in with me.” I say it solidly. It’s like I’ve just plucked up all her stuff and dumped it in my house then wiped my hands clean.

“Move in with you,” she repeats with no inflection.

“Yes.”

Her eyes narrow shrewdly. “And what would that entail, exactly?”

“Oh, a key to the place, TV privileges, half the bed—maybe a little less ’cause you know I get cold at night. Some drawers in the closet, I don’t know, however many you want. You can rearrange the kitchen, too, if you don’t like how everything is set up. It definitely could use a woman’s touch.”

She rears back like she’s offended. “So you’re saying my place is in the kitchen?”

“This feels like a trick question.”

She shrugs and drops the act. “You’re right. I’m stalling. Moving in is a big deal. I’ll get mail with my name on it at your house.”

Seems trivial…

“Sure.”

She’s using her hands now as if trying to outline a complicated equation. “Items I purchase online will show up at your door. For me. There.”

“Yes, that’s how the postal system works.”

She shakes her head in disbelief. “Wild.”

I tilt my head, amused. “Is it just about the mail? ’Cause you could just get a PO box if a change of address is freaking you out this much.”

“I don’t know…probably 50% about the mail and 50% about how this is a really big step in our relationship.”

“Seems completely reasonable. Do you want me to stop the mailman today and see if he can walk us through the procedure? Change of address, that sort of thing?”

“What?!” Her eyes are huge. “Oh my god, you can’t just initiate something like that. I haven’t even said yes. No, don’t—and don’t smile at me like you think I’m funny.”

She’s striding toward me now, finger wagging.

“I’m not.”

“You’re grinning. It’s ear to ear. Any bigger and your cheeks will split.”

“I’d wipe it away if I could.”

Truly, I can’t.

She’s right in front of me now, hands on hips. “Try.”

“There. Is it gone?”

“No, and now with your dimple, I’m going to faint. I’ve got to cover it up. There.” Her hand covers my right cheek. “You’re not even remotely as handsome as you were just a second ago.”

I stare down at her big green eyes and wonder how I managed to find such a weirdo to fall in love with. “The children are waiting for us,” I say, reminding us both.

“Is it already time to start?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes rove down my outfit. Ah yes, she wasn’t going to let me off easy on my last day.

“I feel so bad forcing you into this Darcy costume again. Believe me, I don’t like seeing you in it any more than you like wearing it.”

I’d believe her if her eyes weren’t gleaming. “You organize the story time,” I point out. “You rented the costume.”

“No, no,” she says, shaking her head, letting her fingers drag along the buttons on the shirt. She shivers as if just the sight of them turns her on. “It’s done by the city council.” She waves a hand in the air. “Years in advance.”

“Wow. I had no idea it was such a serious undertaking.”

I reach up to wrap my hands around her neck and tilt her head back. I want a good look at her. I want those lips against mine. There are screaming toddlers in the multipurpose room, but in here, it’s just us.

“Madison, move in with me,” I say, staring at her mouth.