My shoes sank into carpet so plush I suddenly felt self-conscious about every step. How much did a place like this evencost? More importantly, was this what Jonah was used to?
How would I know… I’d never visited Jonah’s place before.
The feeling sank deep into my bones, and I was still unsettled by the idea when Jonah nodded at a couple who rose from a sleek white couch. I quickly snapped my mouth shut, heat flooding my cheeks, trying to look like I belonged in a place where people actually lived like this.
“Chloe, Sean,” Jonah said, stepping forward with his hand on my back, “I’d like you to meet Lexi.”
“It’s great to finally meet you properly,” Sean said, walking over with a warm smile. “How are you doing now?”
My gaze flicked over Jonah, who was watching me intently, before I turned and smiled. “Much better, thank you. Sorry I wasn’t able to meet you earlier when you were at my home.”
“Of course you couldn’t,” Jonah said, moving in closer to me, our arms now touching. It was subtle, probably unintentional, but I felt my cheeks heat while Chloe and Sean watched us with knowing looks. “You were recovering from the worst flu I’d ever seen anyone go through.”
Chloe’s grip was warm and confident as our hands met. “You don’t owe us an apology. We’re just glad we could help.”
Sean stepped forward, ignored my outstretched hand and pulled me into a hug. “Nice to meet you officially. We’ve heard a little about you, which, coming from Jonah, saysalot.”
I gave a quiet laugh, as Jonah pulled me back to his side. “Yeah, he’s not exactly forthcoming.”
“No,” Chloe said lightly. “But he called us for help. That’s new.” She and Sean exchanged a look.
I considered it, wondering what they must think of this thing between Jonah and me, and I realized it must seem bigger than what it really was.
“Jonah would turn the world upside down for the people he loves,” Chloe said loyally, and I felt my heart squeeze at that word. Jonah and I hadn’t even discussed love yet. Had I crossed a line I shouldn’t have by asking to meet Jonah’s friends? I didn’t want them thinking there was something here that was not.
“What’s it like dating him?” Sean asked with a grin. “He’s absolutely bull-headed as a friend, by the way.”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t stop from smiling. “That does sound familiar,” I grinned, stealing a glance at Jonah. He gave me a look that was far too innocent for him.
“No idea what you mean,” he insisted, wrapping an arm around me cozily, his fingers almost brushing the bottom of my breast as he led me to the couch.
Touching each other in the presence of others was new to me, but Jonah wore his comfort with me so easily, he made it seem like we’d been doing this all along.
“Were you the ones who set him up with the pickpocket date?” I asked, remembering Jonah’s comment from earlier. At that, Sean burst into warm laughter while Chloe shot him a mock warning look.
“I can’t believe he actually went out with her,” Sean said, still chuckling, while Jonah shook his head.
“You’re lucky I’m too comfortable right now to come over there and hit you with a throw pillow,” Jonah said lazily.
“But Chloe and Sean are, unintentionally, the reason we met,” I said, turning to face Jonah. The slow smile spreading across his face told me he was reliving that night right now.
“That’s true,” he murmured, drawing me closer and pressing a kiss to my lips.
“By the way, how’s Evie doing?” Chloe asked, when they’d sat down across from us. Her legs were slung across Sean’s lap, and Sean held her feet in his hands, looking completely at ease.
“She’s doing great,” I said. “She’s with Anne tonight, probably exhausted from a unicorn-themed story marathon.”
Chloe smiled even more broadly. “Anne is the nanny we trust. We used her help when we needed someone for Lucas. And now for May,” she said, gesturing to the little child fast asleep in the crib.
I now noticed that Chloe had glitter on her jeans and a child’s rainbow bow clipped crookedly in her hair.
“Wow,” I said, feeling surprised. “You have kids too?”
“Yes, Lucas is Sean’s 12-year-old, and he’s at his mom’s tonight,” Chloe said.
Sean smiled at his wife. “I have Chloe to thank for bringing Lucas and me closer together. I mean, she’s the one who held him while he was sobbing in an elevator, right after I’d sent her all over town buying Spider-Man figurines because I thoughtthatwould solve our father-son bonding problems.”
He shook his head with a fond chuckle. “And now, Chloe and I have May, our one-year-old, who’s fast asleep right now in her room.”
