“With me?”
“Yes. I know I’m selfish. When I don’t want to give, you can. You always have.”
I just stare at him. “No pressure or anything.”
When there is no reply, I sigh. “Let’s go get a new tire.”
Chapter fifty-four
Christianna
I’m still lying on the grass, belly full from the pizza that showed up after Remy and Erik left.
“Is this weird?” I ask Meg.
“Which part?” she asks. “Buying a multimillion-dollar mansion on a whim, having two hot guys bring you dogs, or the part where you’ve had a crush on one your whole life and now have a crush on two?”
“I didn’t have a crush on Remy my whole life. He was just… perfect. Because I was five. And I don’t have a crush on Erik.”
“What was Erik wearing?” she asks casually.
“A button-down tucked into jeans with a belt.” I trail off as I realize how much I noticed.
“And when the realtor tried to cozy up to him?”
I sit up, disrupting Raindrop, who immediately resettles against my thigh. Dewdrop is sprawled between my legs. “He wasn’t comfortable. It was predatory and rude.”
“So we’ve established you think they’re both hot.”
“Objectively, they are.” I’m not willing to admit more, to either one of us.
“I’m still irritated with Remy.”
“For trying to protect Erik?”
“Did you notice the oboe player was hitting on Maestro today?”
Meg rears back. “The redhead?”
“Yep. He was polite about it. Wait until his brother shows up to direct the stage productions. It’ll be an estrogen fest. Probably testosterone too. I think they appeal to everyone.”
“Oh, I’m sure they do. Twins always appeal,” Meg says. “David and James Earl. Both legends. Single. Artistic.”
“I hear they have a fan club,” I prod.
“Don’t be a bitch.”
“Ditto. I won’t make you face your little crushes if you don’t make me face mine.”
“Let’s feed the dogs,” Meg says, “and start making lists of what we need. This place feels like it deserves better than Chinet.”
“Erik dropped off dog food and supplies in the butler’s pantry. They stopped at a store and picked up beds, toys, food, and grooming essentials. Are you keeping the names?” Meg asks as she heads to the pantry and grabs their bowls.
“I don’t know. Should we give them freedom names? Erik was calling them the Drops, which was kind of cute.”
I fill a bowl with water and set it down on a bone-shaped mat.
My phone buzzes. It’s the security guard at the gate, asking if we’re expecting a delivery.
