Free Love Me to Death by Sharlay Page A

alcohol.”
    I smile. “That reminds me; you intentionally made me break a clause in our contract by ordering me a glass of wine.” I point out accusatory.
    “Nope, you can drink it when you’re with me because I can control what comes out of your mouth,” she says with raised eyebrows.
    “Is that right?” I ask mischievously.
    “It is,” she states having no idea that she just challenged me in the worst kind of way.
    “Ok.” I take my fork and the empty glass in my hand and stand up. I clink my fork against the glass. “Hello, could I please have your attention?”
    “What are you doing?” she asks, looking up at me in horror. I ignore her.
    “I just want to make a toast to my beautiful girlfriend,” I say looking down at Neddie. She gives me a look that says you better sit down. I stay standing. “This woman, right here, is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.” That is not a lie. I hear a few “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd and so I continue. “She came into my life a short while ago.” Two days to be exact. “And I have to say that it has been the best thing that could have happened to me. She irritates me but also makes me laugh. She drags me home, strips me and puts me to bed when I get so drunk that I can hardly walk.” I get a few chuckles at this point. “But best of all she cooks the most delicious pancakes and wears the sexiest butt floss I have ever seen.” Ned is covering her face at this point and the crowd displays more than one confused face so I keep going. “So thank you, baby, life would be so dull without you.” And cue the round of applause.
    I sit back down in my seat and smile at Ned as everyone continues to clap. “Ah, baby, don’t be embarrassed,” I say laughing.
    “I can never come back here,” she says as I laugh. “I’m going to get you back for that,” she mumbles.
    “I can’t wait,” I chuckle.
     
     

     
     
    After the crowd settles down, we pay the check and head out the door of the restaurant.
    “I cannot believe you did that!” Ned laughs as she hits me on the arm.
    “I thought we spoke about your violence,” I say grabbing her hand and slipping my fingers through hers again. I start dragging her home. “And I can’t believe that you thought you had control over what I say.”
    “Neither can I, you’re like a loose cannon,” she groans. I laugh.
    “There is no part of the contract that says I can’t make toasts to my girlfriend in public places.”
    “Yeah well the contract may need amending,” she says.
    “I’d do it all over again to see that look on your face.”
    “What? Humiliation and shame?”
    “Yup, that’s the one.”
    “I’m glad my pain amuses you.”
    “It does, babe.”
    We continue walking in silence as we make our way back to Ned’s penthouse. I keep replaying the night over in my head and it brings a silly smile to my face. I don’t think I’ve ever spent this much time with a woman and felt so comfortable — other than with my mom and Layla. It’s weird, and I’m not entirely sure if I like it. I try not to think about all the reasons why it’s crazy to enjoy spending time with Ned and instead focus on this moment right now.
    “This is your stop,” I whisper as we stand outside of her building.
    “Yes,” she whispers.
    “Good luck with your meetings tomorrow,” I say as we stare into each other’s eyes.
    “Thanks.” She smiles. I pull her toward me so that we are no more than an inch apart. I love the feel of her body heat; I try to ignore the ripples of pleasure that are coursing through my body. I press my lips against her forehead and hold them there for a second. I feel her relax under my touch and it gives me the strangest sense of joy. I stand back and create some space between us.
    “Goodnight, girlfriend,” I whisper with a slight smirk.
    “Night, boyfriend.” She smiles up at me.
    “Night,” I repeat and then I turn around quickly without looking at her face. I