And he wasn’t doing much better. He kept tapping the table with his fingers, and she briefly debated biting them off.

She’d known this would be a bad idea.

This sucks.

“What? Your shrimp cocktail?”

Shit. Sissy hadn’t realized she’d said that out loud, and now she had those gold eyes watching her.

“No. This.” She dropped the shrimp she’d been holding for the last ten minutes back onto its plate. “We have nothing to say to each other, and considering we are two of the chattiest people I’ve known, that is saying a lot.”

Mitch let out a sigh. “I know. I feel awkward. I never feel awkward.” He briefly frowned and added, “I make other people feel awkward.”

Sissy reached across the table and patted his hand. “And you’re really good at that, too.”

He pushed his plate of potato skins away. “Okay. So what’s the problem?”

“We are. This isn’t us. I mean, I look like goddamn Gidget, and you’re acting like…like…”

“Like what?”

“Like Brendon.”

Mitch winced. “Ew.”

“I mean, are you comfortable in that sports jacket?”

“Do I look comfortable? It’s freakin’ hundred and two degrees outside, and he made me wear this goddamn thing. He tried to make me wear a suit.”

“Why?” Sissy asked dryly. “Are you planning on going to a funeral after our date?”

Finally, Mitch grinned. “Not unless it’s my own.”

“Take it off, Mitchell.”

“Okay.” He was already pulling the jacket off his big shoulders. “And you take off the dress.”

Sissy’s hands were reaching for the ties when she stopped and smirked at him. “Smooth.”

His grin grew wider. “Can’t blame a cat for trying.”

“Bastard.” But this time, she wasn’t mad.

“Okay. Keep the dress on, but that headband…”

Sissy tore it off before he could finish and shook her hair out. “Better?”

“Oh, yeah.”

And Sissy liked how he said that. Like the lust was getting to him.

Resting her elbows on the table, she leaned way over and tried to peek down at his pants. “You sportin’ a lead pipe there, hoss?”

“At the moment, I could start my own plumbing company.”

Sissy laughed, and she knew the snotty cats and bears were staring at her, but she didn’t care. They’d left Smithtown and come into Taylor County. Mostly oblivious full-humans lived here, and it was considered neutral territory for the breeds. Of course, this fancy steakhouse got most of their business from the local cats, dogs, and bears. They did have a really good steak and gave very healthyportions.

“All right,” Mitch said as the waiter took their half-finished appetizers away. “You’ve gotta tell me how your aunts got you in that dress.”

“They wrestled me into it. Francine damn near broke my arm…what are you doin’?”

Mitch had his head back and his eyes closed. “I’m replacing your aunts—lovely as they are—with Ronnie and Dee-Ann. There.” He looked at her and motioned for her to continue. “Go on. I’ve got the whole scenario set. It’s like one of those women in prison movies from the seventies.”

“There are oils involved, aren’t there?”

“Baby, there are always oils involved.”

The shoes eventually came off, too, tossed carelessly under the table, and Sissy’s feet were tucked up under her as she offered Mitch some of her New York strip steak. Like him, she preferred her meat medium rare.

“So explain to me how we got here tonight. The aunts wouldn’t tell me a damn thing.”

“I wanted to go on a date with you.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. Sorry that I wasn’t a little more interesting.”

“It’s not uninteresting. But I’m not usually the first girl guys think of when they want to go to a fancy dinner.”

“You are to me. I like you, Sissy. And if you draw that damn box again with your fingers, I’m breaking them.”

She quickly looked down at her food, but he got the feeling she was smiling. “Fine. Be like that. I’m only trying to keep us from getting ourselves into trouble.”

“It’s a little late for that.”

“I know.”

Mitch put down his knife and fork. “Okay, let’s look at some hard, cold facts. The whole boundaries thing doesn’t work for two people who spend their whole lives fucking with other people’s boundaries.”

“Oh, my God.” Sissy started laughing. “You’re right.”

“So let’s deal with realities. I’ll be going back to Philly next week. I testify, and then I’m gone. For good.”

Sissy looked up at him and nodded. “I know.”

“Then let’s really enjoy the time we have together.”

Sissy put her hand over his, and his cock became instantly hard from the innocent action. “You do understand you’ll never get over me, right? Every woman you’re with from now on, you’ll compare to me and find them lacking.”

She was joking, but he had the distinct feeling she was absolutely right. But Mitch was a take-your-enjoyment-where-you can kind of guy. He wouldn’t be Mr. Hero and cut their time together short. Instead, he would enjoy every moment, every second.