“Johnny.” I knew my tone was exasperated, but dammit, why couldn’t he admit to what he’d just said? “Are you deliberately trying to give the impression you’re a dim bulb?”
His shoulders slumped. “I’m goofy for you?” Clearly he was hoping I wasn’t familiar with the current slang.
“That’s the one.” I tipped his face up, but he refused to meet my gaze. I sighed. “Johnny. Johnny!” Finally, reluctantly, he raised his eyes. “So, you love me?”
“I didn’t mean to say that. It just slipped out. Honest.” He held himself stiffly now, as if he expected a blow.
“But you love me, don’t you?” I closed my hands around his upper arms and pulled him up onto his toes.
He looked miserable. “Church…” I could see the old familiar hesitancy in those blue eyes.
“Call me Mr. Chetwood.” It had taken a while, b
