“Knox is an acquired taste.”
“I can see that. But I like him anyway.”
He kissed her when she turned to face him, and he told himself it was a promise.
“We wasted a lot of time, didn’t we?” she said.
“Years of it.”
“We should file a complaint.”
“With whom?”
“The universe. Poor planning on their part.” She laughed. “I’m glad we stopped wasting time.”
“So am I.”
The words came out heavier than he had intended. She didn’t notice, or if she did, she let it pass.
“Take me to bed, Gabriel.”
“The others?—”
“Won’t be back for at least an hour. Devney’s showing Ronan her plans for the garden renovation. That’s a forty-five-minute minimum.”
“You timed it.”
“I asked strategic questions at dinner.”
“Devious.”
“Efficient.”
He followed her inside.
Saturday morning, Gabriel woke to sunlight and the sound of arguing from downstairs.
Tessa was still asleep beside him, hair spread across the pillow, one hand tucked under her cheek. He watched her for a moment. The rise and fall of her breathing. The curve of her shoulder. The way she had burrowed into the blankets.
“I love you,” he said quietly. Not a declaration. A fact. Something he needed to say out loud, even if she couldn’t hear it.
Her eyes fluttered. “Mm?”
“Nothing. Go back to sleep.”
She smiled without opening her eyes. “I heard you.”
He paused. “And?”
“And I’m still asleep.” She reached for him, pulling him closer. “Tell me again when I’m awake enough to respond properly.”
He kissed her forehead. “Deal.”
The arguing got louder.
“You can’t put that much cream in coffee.” Knox’s voice was indignant. “It’s barbaric.”
“It’s personal preference.” Lucy’s voice, equally annoyed. “Not everything needs to be black and bitter.”
