Bear Meets Girl
Page 119
God. Cella dropped her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in the palms of her hands. So much change.
I know.
And my daughter informed me last night that now that shes made the final and unshakable decision to stay with the family and go to school locally, I should understand that its time for me to move out on my own so that I wont cramp her studying schedule.
You and your daughter have the oddest discussions.
Shes afraid Im going to push her to go to frat parties and socially network.
You will.
Of course, I will.
You know, Crush began, seeing his opportunity, if you want to try this moving out thing without worrying about making a big decision too soon, you can, ya know ... hang out at my house for a while.
Cella smirked. Oh, really?
Just something to think about. No pressure. No ties that bind. Just you, hanging out at my house, coming and going as you like.
Like a feral cat that lives under your deck?
I wouldnt have used that particular analogy, but okay.
What about Lola?
She tolerates you well enough. And Im still
Looking for her forever home. Right. Sure.
Its just a casual offer that shouldnt make you panic in the least.
Uh-huh. So wed be pretend living together?
Exactly. We can even start tonight since Meghan is flying to Israel for the second wedding. So you can see if staying at my place works for you in a completely non-pushy way.
Cats hate pushy.
Right.
Cella shrugged. Yeah. I guess I could give it a try.
Okay. Sounds good.
They sat silently for several long minutes until Crush said, Cella?
Uh-huh?
I guess I should tell you ... Im in love with you.
Pretend in love with me?
No, smart-ass. Really, seriously, madly in love with you. Borderline desperate but with enough personal fortitude to keep it under control.
Oh. Okay. They fell silent again, Crush glad hed gotten that off his chest. But it was when he looked over his shoulder to see if he could figure out which doorway led to the mens bathroom that he felt Cella Malone suddenly rub her head over his arm and across the left side of his face and neck.
By the time hed turned back around, she was sitting in herchair, staring straight ahead, composed and completely unruffled.
Did you just rub up against me?
She blinked, looking at him as if hed suddenly appeared. Huh?
I said did you just mark me?
She pursed her lips, shrugged her shoulders, and finally started blaming everyone else in the room.
Look, if Im going to stay at your house for the next couple of ... whatever, I just thought it was prudent to make sure I warned off all these bitches whove been circling you since the reception started.
Uh-huh.
Its temporary.
Sure.
Just making sure things are clear.
Of course, you are, brave Malone of the traveling Malones.
All right fine! she snapped. Im in love with you. There. I said it. Now get over yourself.
You know, I think those are the words written on the Taj Mahal: I said it. Now get over yourself. Some of the greatest love stories have started with those words.
Cella laughed so hard that Crush finally lifted her up and placed her in his lap, his arms loose around her waist.
Im sorry, she said. I panicked. Besides, are you supposed tell a guy you love him when youre at your daughters fathers wedding? And youre not saying it to your daughters father?
I think it would only be wrong if he wasnt actually marrying someone else. So I think morally, youre in the clear.
You do understand that no matter where I go, the Malones will always be part of it?
Like a wolf pack?
She shuddered. If you need some words to describe it, at least use, like, a lion pride or something.
Thats fine and, yes, I know that. Just as you know every once in a while, youll have to beat up my brothers when they break into the house.
Since I enjoy doing that, I dont think thats a problem.
Crush pressed his forehead against Cellas. Then I figure the rest well work out as we go along.
Then Im in, she promised, her eyes closing, her body relaxing into his. And I really do love you, Crush. I really do.
And can I just say, thank God, Crush murmured into Cellas ear. Thank God, I cant handle Jell-O shots.
And her explosive laughter made everything for Lou Crushek absolutely perfect.
I know.
And my daughter informed me last night that now that shes made the final and unshakable decision to stay with the family and go to school locally, I should understand that its time for me to move out on my own so that I wont cramp her studying schedule.
You and your daughter have the oddest discussions.
Shes afraid Im going to push her to go to frat parties and socially network.
You will.
Of course, I will.
You know, Crush began, seeing his opportunity, if you want to try this moving out thing without worrying about making a big decision too soon, you can, ya know ... hang out at my house for a while.
Cella smirked. Oh, really?
Just something to think about. No pressure. No ties that bind. Just you, hanging out at my house, coming and going as you like.
Like a feral cat that lives under your deck?
I wouldnt have used that particular analogy, but okay.
What about Lola?
She tolerates you well enough. And Im still
Looking for her forever home. Right. Sure.
Its just a casual offer that shouldnt make you panic in the least.
Uh-huh. So wed be pretend living together?
Exactly. We can even start tonight since Meghan is flying to Israel for the second wedding. So you can see if staying at my place works for you in a completely non-pushy way.
Cats hate pushy.
Right.
Cella shrugged. Yeah. I guess I could give it a try.
Okay. Sounds good.
They sat silently for several long minutes until Crush said, Cella?
Uh-huh?
I guess I should tell you ... Im in love with you.
Pretend in love with me?
No, smart-ass. Really, seriously, madly in love with you. Borderline desperate but with enough personal fortitude to keep it under control.
Oh. Okay. They fell silent again, Crush glad hed gotten that off his chest. But it was when he looked over his shoulder to see if he could figure out which doorway led to the mens bathroom that he felt Cella Malone suddenly rub her head over his arm and across the left side of his face and neck.
By the time hed turned back around, she was sitting in herchair, staring straight ahead, composed and completely unruffled.
Did you just rub up against me?
She blinked, looking at him as if hed suddenly appeared. Huh?
I said did you just mark me?
She pursed her lips, shrugged her shoulders, and finally started blaming everyone else in the room.
Look, if Im going to stay at your house for the next couple of ... whatever, I just thought it was prudent to make sure I warned off all these bitches whove been circling you since the reception started.
Uh-huh.
Its temporary.
Sure.
Just making sure things are clear.
Of course, you are, brave Malone of the traveling Malones.
All right fine! she snapped. Im in love with you. There. I said it. Now get over yourself.
You know, I think those are the words written on the Taj Mahal: I said it. Now get over yourself. Some of the greatest love stories have started with those words.
Cella laughed so hard that Crush finally lifted her up and placed her in his lap, his arms loose around her waist.
Im sorry, she said. I panicked. Besides, are you supposed tell a guy you love him when youre at your daughters fathers wedding? And youre not saying it to your daughters father?
I think it would only be wrong if he wasnt actually marrying someone else. So I think morally, youre in the clear.
You do understand that no matter where I go, the Malones will always be part of it?
Like a wolf pack?
She shuddered. If you need some words to describe it, at least use, like, a lion pride or something.
Thats fine and, yes, I know that. Just as you know every once in a while, youll have to beat up my brothers when they break into the house.
Since I enjoy doing that, I dont think thats a problem.
Crush pressed his forehead against Cellas. Then I figure the rest well work out as we go along.
Then Im in, she promised, her eyes closing, her body relaxing into his. And I really do love you, Crush. I really do.
And can I just say, thank God, Crush murmured into Cellas ear. Thank God, I cant handle Jell-O shots.
And her explosive laughter made everything for Lou Crushek absolutely perfect.
