“Stop,” Bea says from the back seat with a good-natured sigh. “I’ll be fine. Kai’s already posted the announcement. There’s no going back now. And even if he decided to show his ugly side, he doesn’t know where I am. He doesn’t know whereyoulive, let alone Charlotte.”
“And I have an excellent security system,” I remind them. “And super nosy neighbors. If a tattooed guy with long black hair is spotted anywhere in a five-block radius, Mrs. Spear will let us know. For good or for ill, Brenda is not about tolerating alternative lifestyles. She called the cops on my friend, who washelping build my outdoor BBQ, three times. And his neck tattoo barely shows when he has a collared shirt on.”
“See?” Beatrice says. “We’ll be fine. Alarms and Brenda will make sure of it. Just go have fun, win games, and we’ll be here when you get back.”
“We will,” I whisper as Nix pulls into my driveway. “I promise.”
“I just worry,” he whispers back.
“I know,” I assure him as we open our doors. “But it’ll be okay.”
Nix grabs Bea’s roller suitcase from the trunk, she slides her guitar onto her back, and I lead the way up the walk. Inside, I hit disarm the security system and motion to the stairs.
“The guest room is the first door on the left,” I tell her. “But we can do the downstairs tour before you get settled, if you want?”
“For sure,” she says, reaching for the suitcase when Nix steps over the threshold. “I’ll just put all this on the landing until we’re ready to go up.”
“I can take it,” Nix says, resisting for a beat before releasing the handle when she insists, “No, I’ve got it. It’s not that heavy. And you need to get home and get to bed. You have an early flight tomorrow.”
He sighs. “I do. All right. Be good, you two. Save the crimes and misdemeanors until I get back, okay?”
Beatrice grins as she leans in for a quick hug. “We will. Can’t get our crime on without our getaway driver.”
“No lies detected,” I agree as I slide in for my goodbye hug.
“You know what, I think I’ll take my stuff up to the room now and use the bathroom before our tour, Charlotte,” Beatrice says as she backs away. “Love you, big brother. Thanks for everything.” She punches his shoulder one last time before darting up the stairs with her things, leaving us alone.
Nix pulls me close, cupping my ass. “Thank God, she gave us a second. I was afraid I wouldn’t get to squeeze your ass one last time.”
I smile. “She’s a good egg.”
“She is. I’m so glad you two hit it off right away.”
“Me, too,” I agree. “I think we’ll have fun while you’re gone. We’re going to the botanical garden with my nona tomorrow, then brunch with the girls on Sunday. Then she’s meeting up with some musician friends to have coffee on Monday. We’ll stay busy.”
“And vigilant,” he adds.
“And vigilant,” I agree, smoothing my palms back and forth on his chest. “I promise, I’ll guard her with my life.”
“I know you will.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Keep yourself safe, too. I need you around for a long time.” He pulls back, adding in a softer voice, “Or at least through next weekend because I’m really looking forward to Paris.”
I grin. “I know, me, too! I’m so excited,” I hiss, loving that we’re keeping it a secret from everyone for now.
Loving that we’re both so giddy about our first trip.
Loving…him.
God, I love him.
I have gotten in so deep, so stupidly fast, but it doesn’t feel stupid. It feels lovely and perfect and meant-to-be.
I watch from the window as his truck disappears around the corner, wanting to keep my eyes on him for as long as possible, already looking forward to Wednesday, when he’ll be on his way back to me.
“You two are the cutest,” Beatrice murmurs from behind me.
I turn to see her halfway down the stairs, leaning against the railing with a warm expression that reminds me of her brother. I laugh and roll my eyes at myself. “Thanks. I feel a little silly, being this…”
“In love?” she prompts.
