He nods. “Yeah. Fuck, I do.” He chuckles, slipping his fingers through my hair. “I was so disappointed when you jetted out of the hotel that night. I liked you so much then, and then the second I saw you walk into this office… I knew I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else. I just didn’t know what to do with it, because it’s nothing like I’ve ever felt before. It’s different. And fucking terrifying.”
“Well…” My voice trails off, wavering with emotion. “I guess that’s a good thing, because I love you, too.”
He grins and then plants a kiss on my lips. “That’s the best thing I think I’ve ever heard.” He wraps his arms around me, and I feel him exhale, his breath tickling my neck before he leans away.
I giggle and then grab his hand, tugging him down the street. “Come on, we have dinner with Riley.”
“I know, I know,” Beck chuckles, picking up his pace to keep up with me, so I’m not dragging him. “Adrian left like an hour ago, saying that he had something to do beforehand, but I think he just wanted to prepare himself for the best friend inquisition.”
I laugh and swing my arm, taking Beck’s with it. “I know you guys will do fine. Riley’s bark is way worse than her bite.” I pause. “Though, I have to admit, she’swaymore skeptical about this than she’s ever been about any other past boyfriend.”
“That’s because there are three of us,” Beck points out.
“That’s very true,” I sigh, peering up at him.
He catches my eye and then smiles. “And for the record, Adrian and Caleb signed off on transferring Marissa to the marketing branch across town, but I have a feeling she’ll probably just resign.”
I frown. “Or refuse to transfer.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I don’t think that’ll happen at all. She’s angry at me, and honestly, I get it. I should’ve never let itgo anywhere. That’s on me, but what’s going on now? That’s just me finding my person, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that.”
My heart stutters in my chest at his words. “I had no idea you were such a secret hopeless romantic.”
He eyes me, just as we reach the apartment complex. He bops me playfully on the nose, “I’m full of surprises.”
I tip my head back and laugh. “Yes, yes, you are.”
We make our way to the elevators, his hand still in mine. The doors open, and we step inside.
“I need to run back to my apartment, and then I’ll head straight to yours,” Beck says, automatically punching both of our floor numbers.
“Okay,” I say softly. “That sounds good.”
As soon as the elevator reaches my floor, he leans in and plants a kiss on my lips, lingering there for a few beats before pulling away.
“I’ll see you in a few.” He shoots me a wink as I step out, and the doors shut once more. “Love you, Maddy Girl.”
“Love you,” I call out, a smile tugging at my lips.
Two of my three bosses have now admitted to loving me, and I can’t help but wonder if Adrian is on the same level…
And if he is, if he’d ever actually admit it.
“Thoughts?” Riley gestures to the spread in our kitchen, complete with homemade fettuccini alfredo, garlic bread, Caesar salad, and our finest china all laid out on the table.
I didn’t even know we had china.
“I think this is totally overkill.” I let out a sigh, shoving my hands into the front of my hoodie pocket. While she did all this,I showered and dressed like a bum. “I had no idea we were going this high-end. I should probably go change.”
She pokes my shoulder. “You should stay exactly as you are, because I’m not changing either.”
I take in her paint-stained white T-shirt and light-wash jeans. “Deal. We shall be the best shabby-looking women in all of New York.”
“That makes no sense,” she giggles, tipping her head back to laugh.
“I know,” I groan, running a hand over my face. My body feels a mixture of surrealness and just pure anxiety about the guys coming for dinner—and what Riley will think of all of them together.
Before I can voice it, the doorbell rings.
