“I’m sure you can find something to do.”
My first thought shouldnotbe the man I can hear moving something around downstairs. And yet…
“I’ll think about it,” I say, because I don’t think I can bring myself to tell Rebecca about this newfound… crush. Yeah, that’s all it is. A harmless crush that’s the result of being in an enclosed space with him. That’s it.
Rebecca smiles. “Good. So, how are your dads handling you being away?”
There’s a dull ache pounding between my brows as I turn into the living room and stop in my tracks. First, because all the furniture has been moved. Second, because Nico is holding the coffee table like it weighs nothing.
“Isn’t that solid wood?” I ask, eyes wide.
“Maple. Yeah.” He puts it down in front of the couch, except it’s not the same couch where I fell asleep this morning after Nico woke me up from my nightmare.
That’s twice now I’ve fallen asleep beside him on the couch, and twice I’ve stayed asleep. Did I once again have an inappropriate dream about my dad’s best friend? Maybe. Is that why I’ve avoided coming down since the first night? Absolutely.
But at least I slept.
And just like the first night, I think Nico managed to fall asleep, too. At least for a few hours.
“What’s going on? Where’s the couch?”
“I had this one in one of the guest rooms, so I swapped them,” Nico tells me, putting back the tray that sits on the coffee table to hold the remote, Kleenex, and a jar of treats for the boys.
“You carried this downstairs by yourself? Why?” I can’t keep the disbelief from my tone. I knew he was strong, obviously. He’d have to be, considering the heavy furniture pieces he works on. And I’ve seen his arms—dreamed about his arms. But carrying a couch downstairs alone is not just strong, it’s a little stupid. And, admittedly, pretty hot.
Nico leans down and pulls something I can’t see. The bottom of the couch slides out and clicks into place, making it more like a bed than a sectional. He stands and clears histhroat. “I noticed you seem to sleep better in the living room, so I wanted to make it more comfortable.”
“I don’t think it’s the room,” I say without thinking, and his eyes widen a fraction.What the fuck is wrong with me?“Thank you, though. This is basically my dream reading setup.”
“Good.” Nico looks at the couch and crosses his arms, then looks at me and uncrosses them, like he’s not sure what to do with himself. It’s not the first time I’ve noticed him being a little awkward around me since I had the nightmare and he woke me up. Maybe I opened up too much.
Most silences with Nico, I like. They’re comfortable. But these ones, when it feels like he can’t even look at me… not so much.
“I’m sure I’ll be able to sleep better, too,” I say, for lack of anything else.
Nico nods. “Yeah. And I’ll go to my room when you’re ready to go to sleep, so you have space.”
“Huh? You don’t have to do that. I’m not kicking you out of your own living room.” First, I pass out on him, then I invade his space for longer than I was supposed to, then I cry on him so much his white T-shirt was see-through, and now this.
“You’re not kicking me out. I’m offering.”
“Okay, well, I’m declining,” I say, and his brow knits together. “You’re being weird. Is it because I cried on you?”
He blinks at me. “Wha—of course not. I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Why would I be uncomfortable? Areyouuncomfortable? Because I can stay upstairs. It’s fine.”
“I’m not uncomfortable.” He sighs. “I just thought you might not want a relative stranger falling asleep a few feet away from you.”
Oh my god.He’s worrying about making me feel uncomfortable, and I’ve been picturing him in various stages of undress every time I close my eyes. We might be alike in our most traumatized ways, but Nico is a better person than I am.
“I’m not uncomfortable,” I confirm. “Honestly, I’ve slept better on the couch than I have in months. And you seem to have slept better, too. Right?” He hesitates, but nods. “So, let’s just keep doing what we’re doing.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am,” I confirm, as a sharp pain travels between my temples. I wince, and Nico immediately moves closer.
“What’s wrong?”
