Page 32 of Taking It To Overtime

I swallow down my confession and reach for a plate.

“You two don’t have to do this,” Vivian says, picking up her wineglass from off the counter and taking a sip. “I know you used to wash and dry together like good kids, but you’re both guests. You can leave the drudgery to the old ladies and go catch up.”

The corner of Robbie’s mouth turns up as he takes the soapy dish from my hand. The edges of our fingers scrape over each other and I suck in a breath at the tingles that spread up my arm.

“Oh Viv,” my mom laughs from the doorway—and this kitchen is officially getting crowded, but I’ve committed to the chore—“They hide in here to steal kisses when they think no one is looking.”

Vivian chokes back a snort as Robbie’s neck turns red and I bite down hard on my lower lip to keep my laugh locked up tight.

“Ma,” Robbie’s voice is strangled by his warning. It’s so cute. So sweet and innocent, and reminiscent of the boy he once was, that my chin quivers.

“What? You can’t possibly need to hide out to kiss her now. You’re thirty-three Robert.”

“Maybe I just don’t want my best girls to get stuck with chores when I could do them myself,” Robbie says and meets my gaze head-on. “I’m not hiding anything.”

It’s my turn to blush, and once again the urge to come clean washes over me like a crashing wave. Robbie dries his hand on the side of his shirt and cups my jaw. His fingers rub over my chin and along my lower lip. My tongue darts out as soon as his thumb is gone, as if I can chase the taste of him, and then his mouth is on mine.

It’s chaste, just a peck to my mouth, but my lips were already parted and so are his. For a moment, our tongues press into each other, sliding together and then away as he pulls back. It’s like traveling back in time and experiencing something new all at once. His dark eyes dart between mine, but his hand doesn’t drop. His fingertips curl against my throat and my head tips back, inviting another slide of our mouths.

Robbie doesn’t kiss me again, but he holds my eyes captive, staring into the depths of my soul. There are bubbles bursting in my veins, slowly expanding until they pop in a shower of glitterthat warms me from the inside out. We’re both leaning forward again, drawn like super magnets, when his mother laughs.

“Alright, we’ll give you space to bat your lashes at each other,” Vivian says, “But please try to wash at least some dishes before she leaves. Unless you’re staying, Vera? You’re more than welcome to.”

I haven’t spent the night in the Oakes house since before Robbie and I became an item as teens.

“Thank you, Viv, but I’m at the Staycation Express right on the other side of the creek. I appreciate the offer.”

“A hotel?” Vivian presses her hands to her chest. “I keep forgetting your parents don’t have a guest room anymore. Robbie, Vera should stay here with us. There’s plenty of room.”

“Not that you aren’t welcome,” Robbie says to me before turning to his mother, “but we don’t have tons of room. I’m on the futon in the den and Spags is in my old room. Unless the exercycle in Dad’s office turns into a bed, we’re getting pretty cramped.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t want to stay together,” my mother says. “Did you think we’d say no?”

I’m not sure what my mother is implying, because even if we’d been together—really together—before this impromptu trip, since when would we need permission to stay where and how we want? Both Robbie and I are adults with healthy bank accounts. We know how to take care of ourselves.

“My visit was kind of spur of the moment,” I say, looking at Robbie to see if he’s going to jump in. “I didn’t tell anyone I was coming and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

“A surprise.” Vivian melts at my words. “Did you plan to land with Jack so Robbie could pick you up?”

Considering I didn’t know Jack until we landed… no, not really. But our moms seem to buy it, so I nod.

“Well, we can make room if you’d rather stay here,” Vivian says, and I search Robbie’s face again to see if he’s going to weigh in. He’s gone completely silent and completely still. I’m not even sure he knows what we’re talking about.

“Vera’s going to stay here?” My mother asks. She’s twisting her hands together again and looking from me to Robbie and back again. “Is that a good idea for the two of you? Right now?”

“It’s already handled.” Jack says from the archway, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Robbie didn’t want to leave me to get settled in alone, so he stayed here last night, but he’s going to join Vera at the hotel.” He grins at Robbie’s mom. “I hope you don’t mind being stuck with me, Viv. The hotel has more space for a couple and I’m quite comfy in Robbie’s old room.”

“Of course, Jack.” Vivian says. “What a sweet idea, letting the lovebirds have some privacy.”

“That’s me. A sweet guy.” Jack grins. “Hey Viv, Cece—can I call you Cece?—I believe I was promised an assortment of family photos and videos of mycapitan.I’d love to have a look at anything you’ve got.”

Vivian laughs, “I did promise you embarrassing stories and pictures. Cecelia, want to help regale young Jack with some stories of Vera too?”

Wait a minute. I didnotagree tothat.

“Hold up,” Robbie says, but Jack simply looks over his shoulder and mouths, “You’re welcome,” as our mothers follow him out of the kitchen.

And then we’re alone and Jack is the last thing on my mind as Robbie hands me another dish and his fingers brush mine.

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