Page 25 of Shameless With Him

“You’re here,” Caleb said, reaching over to give me a hug. I sank into him and did my best not to inhale his scent. I didn’t want to cross over into stalker territory.

I smiled. “Of course, I am. It’s for Lacey and John, after all.”

Liar.

“So, sushi?” he asked as we made our way in. He held up two fingers for the hostess, who grinned at him with wide eyes. She bit her lip as she raked her gaze over Caleb.

I was doing the same thing, so I couldn’t really blame her.

We took a seat near a window, and I looked over the menu. “To finally answer your question, sushi sounds amazing. And maybe you’d like some spring rolls in the middle for us to share?”

“Oh, and they have that yakitori on a stick thing. I think I could just eat a whole truckload of everything.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I haven’t been hungry all day, but now I’m starving,” he answered, not clarifying exactly why he hadn’t been hungry. In fact, he did look a little pale, and I hoped he wasn’t coming down with something.

“You want me to order for us?” Caleb asked, looking over the menu.

“You really think you can order what I like?”

“I know you, Zoey. And I know you don’t like shrimp or crab, which is hilarious considering you love sushi.”

“You don’t really eat it either.”

“True. Dimitri is highly allergic to shellfish, so I grew up not eating it around him.”

“Oh, yeah, I vaguely remember you mentioning that.”

He shrugged. “So, how about I order a lot of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail?”

“Yes, with like the red, crunchy bits.”

“Oh, yes, the spicy salmon roll with the red, crunchy bits.”

He grinned as the waitress came over, and he ordered a platter of sushi and two appetizers.

He didn’t order any beer, just a water for himself, and I did the same. I had to be clearheaded when Caleb was around, and that was hard enough to do without alcohol.

“Okay, you ready to talk wedding?” I leaned back as I said it, reaching for my bag.

“Yes. I guess.”

I pulled my tablet out of my bag and started scrolling.

“That is a lot of planning,” Caleb whispered, his eyes wide.

“Don’t even start. I swear, I love my sister, but she’s insane.”

Caleb stared. “John was saying something similar.”

My gaze shot up, and Caleb’s eyes widened. “No, not that she’s insane.” He laughed. “Only that it was a lot of planning, and Lacey knew what she wanted—or at least knew what needed to be done. She’s really good at the planning thing. I swear. He said nothing bad. Only that he was overwhelmed.”

“I’m overwhelmed, too. And I know John wouldn’t say anything bad about her. He loves her to the end of the Earth and back.”

“It’s kind of nice saying things like that. He gets so anxious sometimes that he walls himself into a corner. But Lacey brings the life out of him. You know?”

I smiled, leaning back in my seat. “You’re right.”

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