Julian chuckles before going to the fridge to make Onyx her breakfast. “You know, I’ve been thinking,” he starts. “And maybe Archer should be here for this, but it’s really your choice…”
“What are you talking about?” I ask.
“It seems wasteful to have you paying for that little flat across town.”
My hand stills on the cat’s back as I stare at Julian, who is talking way too nonchalantly for my comfort.
“If I didn’t pay for that flat, where would I live?” I ask with caution, in case I’m reading this situation wrong.
He glances over his shoulder at me. “You’re here every night anyway.”
“Julian, are you asking me to move in with you?”
As he turns around with the glass dish in his hand and sees the expression of shock on my face, I think he realizes the gravity of this moment. Then I remember that Julian is not and has never been a relationship guy. He doesn’t realize that this ishuge.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
“No reason,” I say, quickly swallowing down my shock. “You know I’ll have to move all my stuff in.”
“Of course.”
“And I’ll want to add some color to this place.”
“I sure hope so,” he says. Watching me suspiciously, he places the cat food on the floor. “So is that a yes?”
Pressing my lips together and trying to remain casual so as not to spook him, I nod. “Yeah, I think that’s probably a good idea.”
“Good,” he replies, as if we just decided on what to have for dinner. Not the rest of our lives.
“And what about Archer?” I ask.
“He’s probably downstairs packing up as we speak.” We both laugh, our eyes glistening with excitement.
As I finish my coffee, I bounce my knee under the counter, just imagining what it will feel like to make Julian’s apartment mine too. This gorgeous penthouse will bemine. Waking up every morning like I did today.
“We should get going,” he says, looking down at his watch.
“Where is he?” I complain.
“He’ll just have to meet us there. I’ll text him,” Julian replies from the mirror by the front door. He’s checking his appearance, but instead of meticulously styling his hair like he used to, he runs his fingers through it, leaving it sort of messy.
I watch with pride as he shakes a pill from the bottle onto his palm and tosses it into his mouth. He’s not ashamed or afraid anymore, and it makes my heart swell to see it. Then he grabs the keys and walks to the door. I pat Onyx on the head as I go, grabbing my bag on the way.
When we reach the hallway, I tuck myself under Julian’s arm. “Your partner is going to kick you off the team if you don’t go back to work at the club.”
“I’d like to see him try,” he jokes.
“I’m serious, babe. You have your own company to run. I won’t need you at the restaurant every day.”
“I know,” he mumbles with his lips against the side of my head. “Let me get you through your first week, and then I’ll go back. Besides, there are six of us running that place. They’re doing just fine without me.”
He presses the button for the elevator, and we wait for it to open.
“Yes, but I bet they miss you.”
He chuckles at that. “Maybe.”
Just then, the doors chime as they open, and I smile at the sight of Archer in the elevator. My mouth opens, ready to greet him as I suddenly realize that he’s not standing. Then my eyes widen, and Julian stiffens at my side.
