“Shut up, JR,” she cried. “Just shut up and kiss me.”
I was on my feet a second later, gently pressing my lips to the only spot on her lips that wasn’t damaged by my stupidity.
I sucked in a shattered breath and smiled down at her. “Does that mean you forgive me?”
“Yes, but I have conditions.”
I would do whatever it was. I didn’t care what the conditions were. “You name them.”
“First, I get to call you whatever names come to mind at any given time. I can’t believe your mother gave you two letters for a name. It’s just insane.”
I nodded, biting back my smile. “Fair enough.”
“Second, you will accept all milkshake sneak attacks with grace because I’m sure they’re coming.”
“I sort of expected that.”
“And third, the next time Sawyer falls in love with a woman and she breaks his heart, it’s on you to take him to the bar and get drunk with him. I don’t think I can do it again.”
“It’ll be my top priority.”
“Then I accept.”
“Now, just a minute. I have a few conditions of my own.”
The shock on her face was priceless. “Youhave conditions?”
I nodded in all seriousness. “First, you will accept all my help until you’re fully healed, and only I can decide when that is.”
She rolled her eyes, but I continued.
“Second, I will handle everything at the apothecary shop. You will boss me around and yell at me when I do something wrong. I will deliver your orders and sit through tea and scones with Mrs. Bailey while you’re at home recovering.”
“Seriously?”
“Ah!” I cut her off. “And third, you will yell at me as much as you need to until you fully trust me, because I know it’s going to take a lot for you to put your faith in me.”
“JR—”
“It’s my final stipulation,” I said quietly. “I need to know I’ve earned your trust, and the only way to do that is for you to be completely honest with me.”
“Fine.”
“Oh, and one last thing?—”
“You already saidmy final stipulation. You can’t add another stipulation now.”
“I can and I will at any given time. It’s my right as your—manfriend.”
“My manfriend?”
I nodded, unsure of what else to call myself. “I want you to live with me so I can wait on you hand and foot.”
“I’m not sure I can take that much smothering,” she grumbled.
“Then live with me because you want to. And because Milo won’t visit me unless you’re with him.”
“So, you finally admit that you love him,” she grinned, wincing as her lips split.
