“We did. That girl can hold her liquor better’n people twice her size.”
Nico laughed. That she could.
“Speakin’ of…” Niyah glanced back at the driveway. “I thought she’d be here.”
He shook his head. “She’s at the office.”
“You mean she’s avoidin’ me because she knows we’ll both cry again if we have to say goodbye twice?”
Nico figured thatwaswhat prompted Stevie to get up early and head to the office, although it was her day off. Their house was set up so they could work from here as easily and as comfortably as they could there. That was due to Stevie’s persistence. From the day she became his roommate—shortly after Niyah got engaged to Adam—she’d been slowly but surely transforming his space into something that resembled a home rather than a structure that contained his furniture.
Although he hadn’t been thrilled with the idea back when he’d made the initial offer—the result of a night of too much booze—turned out Nico enjoyed having a roommate. Especially one as low-key as Stevie. She was the polar opposite of Melanie, his ex-fiancée. Stevie was about as laid-back as they came, while Melanie had been high-strung and needy. Not that Stevie was perfect. She was a complete and utter slob. Since Nico had gotten used to Melanie’s obsessive-compulsive housekeeping, it was taking some time to get used to.
Despite the mess Stevie left in her wake, Nico wouldn’t change anything if he had to do it all over again. Stevie was his sister’s best friend, but he’d forged a pretty good friendship with her over the years, too. Granted, it took several years for Stevie to get over her complete hatred for him—she’d blamed him for the events that transpired afterthat night. When she finally cooled enough for them to discuss what happened, she decided neither of them was at fault but made him promise they would never discuss it again.
For the most part, he obliged. As long as they didn’t overindulge, they were capable of keepingthat nightin the past where it belonged. It was those other times that—
“I’m gonna miss her,” Niyah said, interrupting his thoughts. “But she promised to come visit. The two of you can come together.”
Shaking off thoughts of Stevie, Nico unlocked the front door and changed the subject. “Where’s Adam?”
“He went to put gas in the Range Rover.”
Frowning, Nico turned with his key still in the door lock. “You’re really doin’ it? You’re really lettin’ some random guy drag you across the country?”
Niyah barked a laugh. “I’ve been with thatrandom guyfor a year and a half.”
“Irrelevant,” he teased.
Her smile reflected more melancholy than excitement, but she was suppressing it for his benefit. Thanks to Stevie, Nico knew that Niyah was thrilled with the idea of a new life in California. And to be fair, he was happy for her. Adam was a good guy, and he genuinely loved Niyah. He would take care of her.
Nico sighed, pushing the door open and walking inside. Acknowledging that didn’t make this any easier. He already missed Niyah and she hadn’t left yet.
Doing his best to mask his expression, he forced a smile. “What’s with Scrappy-Do there?” He nodded toward the puppy. “You thought you’d pick up a puppy on the way outta town?”
“Yep. Only this sweet little baby’s not goin’ with us.”
Nico dropped his keys and his cell phone on the table. “Where’s he goin’?”
Niyah mumbled nonsensical baby talk to the puppy before setting him on the floor. When she stood, she wildly gestured at the four-legged creature as though he’d specifically asked for one.
“He’s yours.”
For fuck’s sake. She was serious.
His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “What am I supposed to do with a dog, Niyah?”
“Love him and give him lots of smooches.”
“Might I remind you, I’m not a smoochin’ kinda guy.”
“But you could be.”
“No,” he said adamantly, shaking his head for emphasis. “I do not need a dog, Sis. I don’t have time for one.”
“But he’s so cute.”
“Then you keep him.”
