Page 40 of Headstrong Like Us

One corner of his mouth curves. “We can pretend that I’m with you straggling behind if that’s what you really want.”

I growl. “It’s not what I want. Because I’m notstragglingbehind.” I finish my stack pretty quickly and wait for the next one.

Farrow holds out another envelope, and I risk a long glance at him.

His concentration is half on the movie, half on the next invitation. Zero percent on me. Disappointment bites at me, and I try to bottle that sentiment.

I should be happy that he’s actually watchingBatman & Robin.I’ve been slowly introducing Farrow to the classic Batman flicks, and this is one of the last ones on the list. He was dying laughing when Mr. Freeze appeared on-screen.

And at Batman’s suit, which has bat-nipples.

Honestly, this is one of my favorites, right behindBatman Returns, but I get that it’s not a blockbuster hit. Which is why I left it towards the end. I told Farrow all of this too, and I think ever since I said, “It’s one of my favorites,” he’s been watching the movie more closely.

His hair color has changed, by the way. Likeepicallychanged. The roots are still his natural ash-brown hue, but Farrow dyed the white strands sherbet orange. The color fades like a sunset, and somehow, some damn way, he still looks cool.

“Like I was saying.” Farrow lifts his brows, his gaze falling to the invite that I haven’t taken from his fingers yet, then back up to me.

A smile breaks through my face.Dammit.I rake a hand over my mouth. I’m happy that he didn’t forget me, alright. “I have no clue what you were saying; my brain sets your voice to mute.” I grab the invitation.

He slips me a look like I’m full of shit. “Sure.” He stuffs another envelope. “Jane really wants this hassle?” He raises a card, referring to a line printed on the invites.

Location: please call 215-555-3949 for details

We’ve asked guests to kindlynotpost photos of the invitations—but as a precaution in case of a leak, we decided not to print the location of the wedding.

Guests have to call the number to a burner phone—a phone that Janie bought and will be personally answering.

“It’s a ton of work,” I tell him, “but she’s pretty adamant.”

Now that she’s thinking of being a wedding planner for other couples in the future, any extra work that she keeps collecting for our wedding makes me feel a little better. It helps knowing she doesreallyenjoy the planning and organizing.

I glue another envelope. “At least if a mailman or random person dumpster-dives for the invites, they won’t have her real phone number.”

He nods. “Okay, but if the burner’s number is leaked and some dipshits start pranking her and making answering the phone impossible, I hope she’ll pass the task off to Thatcher or me.”

“Or me,” I add.

Farrow shakes his head. “No, see, you and Jane have a tendency to accept harassment because you think it’s normal. I just want to make sure that doesn’t happen here.”

The fact that he’s protective over Janie just amasses my love for this guy. Into the tallest mountain on Earth. My chest swells, and I have trouble taking my eyes off Farrow.

His lips slowly rise like I’m on my knees. Blowing him.

I seize the envelope out of his hand. “Now I’m ahead of you.”

He curses lightly, “Shit.” He glances at the movie. “Rewind a few minutes.” He missed a part during our conversation.

I find the remote in between the sofa cushions.

He asks me, “You’re still okay with the wedding destination?”

I pressrewind. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Farrow meets my gaze. “We didn’t have time to visit the venue, and it goes against your favorite merit badge.” He widens his eyes playfully. “Preparedness.” Despite his teasing words, he actually looks more concerned in the next quiet second.

I think he’s just checking in with me since this wedding prep is on hyper-speed.

I pause the movie. “I’m okay with just seeing videos and pictures. It feels like enough.” I start to smile thinking about July 9th. “I want to marry you in Capri.”