“Labels might scare her off. It’s exclusive as far as I’m concerned.”
Molly’s smile got bigger. “You’re adorable and I’m so happy for you.”
“No advice or warnings?”
“Nope. You’re a big boy. Just don’t get too serious too fast, that’s all. Have fun.”
“Right. Exactly what I’m going to do.” I went back to my emails. “I’m going to make appointments for the artists to come and see their spaces. Are you around this week to take some?”
“Sure. Just add it to my calendar so I know.”
“Got it.”
We worked through the early morning, taking a break to check on the sheds after the rain let up. Thankfully, they were dry and the installation didn’t have any leaks from an all-night soaker.
That was a good sign.
I fielded a few more calls and checked my phone to see if Amber had texted me. When lunch rolled around, I gave up and went to see if she’d left when I was distracted. I peered into my bedroom through the back door, finding a lump of female still in my bed.
I slid the door open and she held a hand up with a wave. “Hi.”
“Hello there.” I came inside, finding Velma at the bottom of the bed in a sprawl. I gave her an absent stroke on my way by.
Amber rolled over holding the book we’d started the night before.
“Hey. You started without me?”
“I didn’t mean to, but well, the book was just lying there on the couch. I couldn’t help it.”
“I was slaving out there in the rain and you’re all cozy...” I trailed off when I noticed she was wearing my thermal shirt under the blankets. “Now that’s just cruel.”
She flipped the covers open. “Then come here and I’ll warm you up.”
I laughed. “You think I won’t?”
She bit her lower lip, her eyes lit with laughter.
I toed my boots off, shucked my work pants and tossed my dusty shirt aside then dove under the covers with her. Velma hissed and hopped off the bed, her tail swishing as she flounced out the door.
Amber yelped. “You’re cold.”
“Then warm me up.” I pinned her with my leg and arm, and her delighted giggle eased a few knots that had been left over in my belly.
She wiggled under me until I was curled around her as the big spoon. She folded her arms over mine, shuddering a little. “You’re frozen.”
“It’s damp as hell out there.” I tucked my chin over her shoulder and kissed her neck. “Not mad that you’re still in my bed, even if you read the book without me.”
She curled under the blankets until only her nose was showing. “Want a recap?”
“Sure.”
I tucked her in close as she gave me a rundown of the book. Listening to her lilting voice relaxed something in me that I didn’t realize was wound up. Coming home to her each night was going to change me fundamentally, I was pretty certain.
And I was definitely here for it.
Everything was finally falling together.
I just needed to hold on tight.
