Because the truth was, letting someone into your bed was easy.
Letting them into yourhome—into thequiet—that was harder.
Roan’s eyes softened instantly.
“I’d love to come over,” he said simply. “If you’ll let us bring dinner. Keep it easy.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Yeah. That sounds perfect.”
Something flickered between us then—unspoken but grounding. And I didn’t think. I just stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him.
He didn’t hesitate.
He folded me in like I belonged there, big arms wrapping tight around my back, the solid wall of his chest pressed to mine, anchoring me to the ground and holding me up at the same time.
We didn’t say anything else. We didn’t need to.
When I finally stepped back, a little steadier, I turned to head toward my car—but paused beside Jay, who was leaning against the back of Roan’s SUV sipping his coffee like the world was no big deal.
“Hey,” I said softly.
He looked up, curious.
I stepped in and gave him a hug too.
He made a surprised little sound in the back of his throat, but his arms came around me easily, warm and secure, and his chin brushed the top of my head for just a second.
“Anytime,” he murmured, low enough that only I could hear. “You ever need me, I’m there.”
Then, with a hint of mischief, he added under his breath, “Cough twice if you want me to stash Rhett in Roan’s truck.”
I snorted against his chest. “Tempting.”
He leaned back, one brow arched. “The offer stands.”
I shook my head, grinning, then turned to head back to my car where Rhett was already sprawled in the passenger seat like he owned it—again—chicken tenders in one hand and his sunglasses on, despite the fact that it was cloudy as hell.
I slid in behind the wheel, heart feeling full in a way I wasn’t used to.
My phone vibrated on the charging plate as I buckled in. I picked it up, eyed Marchand’s name on the caller ID. There was an ungodly number of missed calls, voicemail messages, and texts. I hadn’t paid attention to a single one so far. They were all tomorrow’s problems.
And so was Marchand. I put the phone back down and let it roll over so he could leave a message too. Rhett didn’t comment, but I caught the way the corner of his mouth kicked up into a smile.
“Rhett?”
He cocked his head toward me.
“Crank it up.”
His grin grew. “Yes, ma’am.”
Then we were pulling out and I followed right behind Roan’s vehicle, head beginning to nod to the music. Tomorrow could also wait.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
WREN
