“More? I doubt it.”
“Don’t even doubt it. So not only do I love you more but also for longer. Definitely, I’ve loved you for longer.”
“It’s not a competition.”
“It’s not?” I kissed those perfect lips.
“No. Because you’d lose. Because, HB, Hunter Bruce Hunter.Youare my everything.”
Epilogue
Three months later
Regge practically bounced on his sneakers, waiting for me to get off the phone.
“I’ve got to go, Ma.” I smiled at my boyfriend. Dressed in black slacks, his usual white button-up shirt and burgundy blazer, he looked professional. He’d even purchased new Vans—black ones—and they squeaked on the floor as he paced.
“But you haven’t told me how the course is going? Are you getting all your homework done?” my mother asked.
“I’m not in middle school. It’s a hotel management course. And it’s going well, thank you.”
“I’m so proud of you, kiddo. Of course, I’m always proud, but you’ve worked so hard these past few months. And tell Regge I’m proud of him too. Love to you both.”
“Love you, Ma. Bye.” I ended the call as Regge yanked me up the stairs to Izzy’s garage. When Derek and friends vacated my place, both of us moved back to the basement apartment. Bigger than his studio, it was still cramped by the time we fit all of Regge’s books, his reading chair, and Archimedes’s cat tree inside.
“Can I drive?” Regge asked, having just gotten his driving license. I pretended to think hard on the idea before turning the keys over. He got in and drove with the caution of a grandmother hauling precious grandbabies to church.
The front of the hotel had a fresh look, its brickwork replaced and repainted where needed and the entire building power washed. A new color made the trim work pop. The neon sign on the corner had been repaired and glowed its peachy hue.The new carpet scent intermingled with furniture polish in the lobby.
The new desk clerk beamed from behind the old counter, her jacket identical to Regge’s with the exception of a name tag and yellow pocket square. Skylar’s smile was slightly feral but nothing too scary. And there was something to be said for having a literal wolf at the door.
Still, my breath caught at the sight of the front desk. I hated to admit it, but I kind of missed Nigel. I hoped wherever he was, he was safe and happy. Julian too, for that matter.
“Hello, Bosses. Welcome to the Fulbright.” Skylar produced a clipboard and a pencil, quickly going down a punch list of items with Regge.
Leaving them behind, I sauntered into the bar. We’d kept the original sconce lighting but had it rewired so it worked consistently now. The carpet had been replaced in here too. There were a few new leather club chairs gathered around low polished wood tables.
“Hello, Lenny. Are we all set?”
The bartender pushed up his turned-up cuffs and straightened his black vest. “We? I’ve been doing all the work here, stacking crates of glasses, cutting up the blasted oranges, and you know how I hate the smell of citrus in the mornings.”
“It’s seven p.m.,” I informed him.
“And I can still smell it.” The barman pulled a glass from one of the shelves and quickly filled it from a beer tap, expertly balancing an orange slice on the rim. Flipping a coaster in front of me, he set the beer on the bar.
“Thanks. The place looks great, Lenny.”
I didn’t think anyone had a betterfuck youexpression than Cobb, but our barman did. “I suppose it does.”
Abraham came in with his girlfriend, Arial, followed by the scowler himself and Ziggy, whose sunny smile contradictedCobb’s expression. Lenny served up beer for the guys and specialty cocktails for the ladies. Regge came in, and after welcoming everyone, he slid onto a stool next to me.
“Everything all right?” I asked.
“Perfect.” He looked over my head to Abraham. “Everyone else should be arriving shortly. Can you gather them here until we get back? I have something to show Hunter.” At Abraham’s nod, he pulled at my arm.
“I haven’t finished my beer.”
“Leave it, we won’t be long.”
