Stone returned to stand beside him. “I was gonna explain everything as soon as I got her out of the house. It’s not what it looks like. I didn’t—”
Nico silenced him with a kiss, grabbing him behind the neck and crushing their mouths together. He wasn’t sure what came over him but he couldn’t help himself. During the drive over, he had doubts about how he would feel when he arrived. Trust was a huge part of a relationship, and he knew this would never work if he didn’t trust Stone.
But the second he saw him, Nico knew that Stone was as irritated by the situation as Nico had been when Melanie showed up. Neither of them had set these events in motion, but it was their responsibility to deal with them.
Which reminded him…
He pulled back, waiting for Stone to look at him. “Melanie stopped by the house today. Before I got there.”
Stone frowned, their gazes colliding as they stood chest to chest, mere inches separating them. “Melanie? The ex-fiancee?”
“Yeah.” He spoke softly since they were so close. “She waited with Stevie. Said she wanted to talk to me.”
“How’d Stevie handle that?”
“Like she handles everything. With grace and courage.” He didn’t mention that he saw right through her, though. Nico knew that Melanie's appearance had hurt her, which was why she’d run to her room. He hadn’t been surprised to find her on the phone with Niyah, probably trying to make sense of it all and get someone on her side.
What Stevie didn’t realize was that Nico was on her side. He would always be.
Stone’s gaze implored him as his arm banded around his back, the space between them disappearing fast. “And?”
It was difficult to think when the man was touching him, but he managed. “And nothin’. I sent her on her way. I’m just tellin’ you so you know what Stevie’s been through already today.”
His expression morphed into one of understanding, and he stepped forward, closing the small gap that separated them.
“I don’t wanna leave anything to chance this time,” Nico told him. “Communication was lacking the last time we were together.”
Stone nodded. “I know. And I agree. If we’re gonna do this, we’ve gotta do it the right way.”
When Stone leaned in, Nico did, too, meeting him halfway. The press of his lips was gentle, but Nico felt the current underneath—a raging river beating against the ground containing it. Any moment now, it was going to break free and drown them all.
“Oh, my God!”
Nico pulled away, staring at the woman whose eyes were about to pop out of her head.
“What are you…?” Her nose scrunched. “Are yougay?”
“Technically, no,” Stevie said, her tone flat. “What he is is taken.” She marched Leah toward the door. “And you’re leavin’.”
Nico stood beside Stone as Leah passed, her forehead creased with confusion.
“Don’t forget anything,” Stevie instructed. “Because you won’t be comin’ back.”
Leah’s gaze shifted to Stone, and he could tell she was weighing her options. He realized she wasn’t as stupid as she pretended to be because her expression cleared as she realized she didn’t have any.
Stevie wasn’t backing down, and Nico had never been more in love with her than he was at that moment.
Forty-Two
Stone watched as Stevie closed the doorbehind Leah, preparing himself for whatever tongue-lashing he was about to get. He deserved it, of course, and he could only imagine what was going through her head. If he’d been in her shoes, he would’ve been livid. Hell, if he found a half-naked man coming out of her bedroom, he would’ve gone fucking postal.
Stevie turned and leaned against the door. He held his breath, gearing up for her wrath.
Only when she opened her eyes, he didn’t see anger glittering in the dark brown depths.
She took a deep breath and lifted her hand, pointing at … well, he wasn’t sure who she was pointing at. Either him or Nico. Maybe both. They were standing side by side, and her gestures weren’t animated enough to clarify.
“You are done with her,” she said, her index finger stabbing in their direction.
