He arched a dark brow. “You need labels for this?”
“No,” I said, because, honestly, I didn’t. “But—”
“As soon as your life isn’t hanging in the balance, I’ll make reservations.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Any more objections?”
“I.. It’s…” I trailed off weakly. “It’s too soon.”
“Known you for years,” he countered. “How is that too soon?”
“Two years is not exactly a lifetime. And most of those two years, if you recall, we were about as together as oil and vinegar.”
That’s when he hit me with the knockout, the southpaw, the emotional blow to end all emotional blows. “Been a lot longer than two years, Firecracker, and you know it.”
Firecracker.
The word rocked through me, sending me stumbling back into the counter. I caught myself on the edge just before I went down, gripping the butcher block so hard I thought my bones would snap. It took me a full minute to resume breathing, and another full minute after that to find the courage to lift my eyes up to his. He’d closed some of the distance between us while I had my silent panic attack and was now standing very still, arms crossed over his chest, watching me.
I croaked out a few words — the only ones I could manage. “You… you remember?”
“You thought I forgot?”
“Um…”
He shook his head and closed the gap between us, pulling me into his arms. His forehead came down on mine. “How could I ever forget you, Gwendolyn Goode? You’re unforgettable. Always have been.”
Goddess, I was going to need a lobotomy to get over this man.
I was breathing hard, nearly hyperventilating. “But… you never said anything.”
“Neither did you.” His voice gentled. “Figured you’d bring it up when you were ready.”
My scoff was thick with incredulity. “You thought I’d casually broach the subject one day over tacos? That I’d blurt out, ‘Hey, Graham, remember the gawky ginger kid who you saved from a sea urchin a million years ago? The one who used to stare at you with utter adoration every time she clapped eyes on you? The one who was constantly doing embarrassing shit whenever you looked her way? Yep! That was me!’Seriously?”
“Not sure it would be over tacos, but, basically.” He grinned at me. “Utter adoration?”
“You’re annoying.”
His grin didn’t even waver. “Uh huh.”
“I was young and naive!”
“Uh huh.”
“I didn’t know any better!”
“Uh huh.”
“Oh, whatever,” I snapped to cover my embarrassment. “You saved me from a sea urchin, did you really expect me not to develop a crush on you?”
“Nah. Sea urchins aside, every girl in town had a crush on me.”
“Arrogant!”
“Maybe.” His grin was so bright, it was blinding. “But you adore me. Utterly.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I saw stars. I didn’t retort, though. Mostly because… well… he was not wrong.
* * *