“Why are you still smiling?”
Amusement rolls through me, along with affection for my best friend. “Because she’s cool as shit and I’m happy.”
He grimaces. “And you aren’t worried she’s taking advantage of you?”
Head tilted, I pin him with a look. “She’s not Tara. Hell, she’s not like any woman I’ve ever met. And if you read the articles, then you know her feelings for me are real. She didn’t want to like me, but she does.” I grin. “I’m just that charming.”
He smacks my chest. “No, you’re just that full of yourself.” He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “Jesus, here I was worried you’d be spiraling. Instead you’re fucking laughing your ass off. What did she say when you told her you knew?”
I press my lips together. “I didn’t, exactly.”
His dark eyes go wide. “What?”
“I asked her to move in with me instead.”
And his jaw practically unhinges. “What?”
To be fair, I only intended to give her a key. Figured it would freak her out a little. Lighthearted payback and all that. Because it’s way too soon to give a woman unfettered access to my place. My end goal, really, was to give her content for her articles. But I don’t know what the fuck came over me when I was down on my knees and looking into her eyes, but I told her to move in with me, and then she said yes, and nothing has ever felt so right.
I’m getting anxious, though, that it might not really happen. I’ve been traveling so much for work that we haven’t had time.
“I don’t know what came over me,” I admit to him. “I was thinking I could give her a taste of her own medicine. Do the opposite of what she expects, then laugh about it later.”
“But instead you went all in?”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Yeah, I guess.”
“So now what?”
My lips twitch as I think about the plan I concocted. It’ll give her another good story to write about.
“Oh no,” Daniel mutters. “What’s that face for? You’re up to something.”
I shrug. “Just thinking I could make her articles even better now that I know what’s happening.”
“Oh fuck.”
Another laugh. I think I’ve laughed more today than I have in years. Yeah,oh fuckis right. Baby girl played some games, and now Daddy’s gonna teach her a lesson. And it’s going to be enjoyable as fuck.
“But I’m going to need your help.”
THIRTY-FOUR
SAVANNAH
“This is reallywhat your friends do on couples’ nights?” I ask as we approach the entrance to the studio.
Camden smirks. “Getting cold feet?”
I glance down at the sneakers he insisted I wear. “Nope. They’re perfectly warm. Just didn’t expect your friends to use group workouts as an excuse to socialize. What’s wrong with grabbing dinner and drinks at a bar?”
He drapes an arm over my shoulders and pulls me into his side. “I appreciate you coming. They do different things once a month, and I never come because, well, it’s more of a couple activity, and I’ve never been part of a couple until now.”
The vulnerability bleeding from his tone makes my heart squeeze. Dammit. Why am I being so judgmental? The girls and I plan random activities too. Like pole dancing and ice skating. Last week we even went to an improv comedy class, Sutton’s choice, of course, and it was a blast. So if this is what his friends like to do, who am I to judge?
“I’m excited.” I pop up on my toes and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for including me.”
He pulls the door open and with a hand at the small of my back guides me inside.
