“You’re going to be Cole’s neighbor?” Her eyes widen with a hint of confusion.
“And, if I’m lucky, so will you,” I say with apprehension.
Baya’s mouth falls open, her gaze shifts back to her brother.
“It’s okay,” it speeds out of me. “You can say no. I totally get it. Living with someone is a huge step—but, for the record, this is a two bedroom. I was sort of gunning for the hottest roommate in town.”
Her lips curve in a delicious smile. “Just town?”
“The universe.” I plant a kiss over her cotton soft mouth and linger. “But don’t worry about the room. I can always find some dude who hates hygiene as much as your brother.”
“Whoa.” She lays her hands over my chest. “Who says you can give away my room?”
My heart gives a quick thump. “You’re okay with it?”
“Of course I’m okay with it. As long as I have my own room, we can still maintain an air of mystery to our relationship.”
“Mystery—I get it.” I don’t, but, then, I’m not smart enough to understand women. A burst of adrenaline rockets through my veins, and I pick Baya up and spin her around.
“Will you save a spot for me on your bed?” She bats her amazingly long lashes at me, and my dick perks to life.
“It’s yours as often as you want it.”
“I’ll only want it on days that end in Y.”
“Damn. You know how to get me going girl.” I land my lips over hers and sink a kiss into her strong enough to fuel rocket ships. This is perfect love, something eternal. Baya and I made our way to one another in this crazy world, and, in a strange way, it was because of Steph.
I pull back and admire Baya’s beauty under the spotlight just above the bar. “You know”—I press my lips together a moment—“I never told you this, but that day I bumped into you in Founder’s Square it was Steph’s birthday.”
Baya’s fingers fly to her lips. “Oh my, gosh—I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I press into her. “I was wandering aimlessly, and I remember thinking, I wonder what she would want me to be doing and with who—that’s when you flashed me.”
Baya’s face ignites a like a blowtorch.
“Really?” She blinks back tears. “You don’t think…” Baya bites down on her lip.
“I’d like to.” I give a sheepish grin. “She was always looking out for me. She wanted me to have the best. And I got you, didn’t I?”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” She rides her finger down my chest, and my gut cinches. “And, you’re also my new roommate, which means I have to apologize until I’m blue in the face to Laney.”
“About?” Laney comes around the counter to grab an apron with Roxy in tow.
“You just lost your roommate again. I’ve had a hotter proposition.” She bats her lashes into the girls. “Bryson took the apartment next to Cole’s.”
“What about me?” Cole comes up and thumps me in the chest. “Who’s going to cook and clean around the place with you gone?”
“Did you say, cook?” Roxy’s face lights up.
“Yeah.” Cole smacks me in the arm. “I had him whipping up five course meals and hand washing my boxers.”
Roxy narrows in on Cole. “I’m not cooking anyone a five course meal, and I promise I willnevertouch your boxers, but, if you’ll consider me, I can keep you in cupcakes.”
You can practically see Cole’s hard-on screaming, hell, yes.
“I like cupcakes.” He lowers his lids as if he’s luring her to the bedroom.
“Cool.” Roxy hikes her shoulder in his direction. “And don’t expect anything else.”
