For the next several minutes, she remains exactly where shebelongs—on my lap—and gushes about the musical rendition of the early 2000s rom-com.
“But what about your apartment?” She sublet her place and can’t just kick the person out.
“The sublease is up in a month and a half.” She twists her fingers in her lap. “It’s not alegalcontract, but…”
“You’ll move in with me.”
“Okay, big guy. No one said anything about moving in.” Cheeks flushed, she peers up at me from beneath her fake lashes. “But maybe I could stay here for a bit?”
“No.”
“Oh…” Lowering her chin, she slumps.
I tilt her face so she’s forced to meet my gaze. “You’ll move in with me.”
She makes a choked sound. “You’re serious?”
Collecting her hands in mine, I nod. “There’s no reason for you to live four blocks away when I want you in my bed every single night.”
“But what about Kane?”
“I’ve already cleared it with him.”
Brows lowered, she frowns. “What? When?”
“One night when we were playing would you rather.At first it was hypothetical, but then we got to talking about it more seriously.”
“So this has been on your mind?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Her cheeks pinken further. “You promise he’s okay with it? He’s had to adjust to so many things recently?—”
“I wouldn’t put him in an uncomfortable position. You know that.” And I love the way she always puts his needs above her own.
“Of course. Okay, wow. Um, can I think about it?”
My stomach tightens uncomfortably. “Oh, uh,sure.” I was confident she’d accept my proposition. Shit. How can I convince her? Joey would know. Maybe I should text her?—
“Can I take a shower?” she asks, cutting off my spiraling thoughts. “I came straight from the theater.”
“Absolutely.” As I’m setting her on her feet, the alarm on my phone goes off. “I have a virtual with my therapist anyway.”
“Do you need me to leave to give you some privacy?”
“No, no. Just take a long shower.” With a wink, I snag her suitcase. Then I roll it into my bedroom. “Kane’s working for a few more hours, so I’ll use his room.”
“You doing okay?” She scrutinizes me, searching for hidden answers.
“Yeah, baby. Promise. I’m doing even better now that you’re here.”
45
Millie
HE ASKEDme to move in with him. Scratch that. Hetoldme I’m moving in. Honestly, my hangup has nothing to do with how we’d get along. The man picks up after himself and cooks. And he never complains about hair in the shower. Plus, we already have great bed chem. Did I mentionhe cooks? He doesn’t drink coffee, but no one is perfect. At least he keeps the fridge stocked with my favorite creamer.
I welcome the hot water as it rinses away the hearty smells of the theater. Can I move intothis shower—with the fresh eucalyptus leaves hanging from the rainfall shower head? That’s easy to imagine.
