My zipper is up. Just like I remember doing them before I left Rose’s room. But paranoia and doubt are a hell of a thing. I glare at Win, who doesn’t look the least bit contrite.
“Sorry. It was too tempting.” A wide smile stretches across his face. “Why are you being so weird about telling us something we all knew would happen sooner rather than later?”
I settle into my seat, fiddling with the handle of my mug. “I, uh, I bit her. Multiple times actually, and well, the last one was kind of a big deal.”
Joel and Win exchange knowing glances. Once again, I get the sense both are secretly laughing at me.
“So, you’re saying she might need a rabies shot?” Joel says, straight-faced.
My dark glare is met with a throaty chuckle.
He holds both hands towards me in a placating gesture. “Sorry, Win was right. It was too tempting. I’m guessing—and Win probably agrees—that you’re trying to tell us you gave her a claiming bite.”
I nod, my gaze returning to the mug. “She asked me to. I wasn’t expecting it, but I wanted you to know that I love her. She’s my scent match, but she’s as much yours as she is mine. The bite doesn’t change things between any of us, so stop thinking I’ll kill you if you kiss her or sleep with her.”
Neither of them speaks for three seconds. It takes that long to look at them after opening up in ways I rarely do.
Both are grinning at me like fucking idiots.
“Stop that,” I glare. “You know how I feel about feelings and…” I gesture vaguely.
“Sharing them?” Win offers helpfully, still with a stupid ass grin on his face.
I don’t smack it off him the way I would anyone else because this man isn’t just a friend; he’s family.
Rolling my eyes, I drain my coffee and get to my feet. “I’m gonna get ready for work.”
I don’t make it two steps to the doorway before Win and Joel are yanking me back. We don’t do group hugs, but I'm starting to wonder why we didn’t do them before now.
“We love you too, man,” Joel says.
I give both of them a squeeze, then it really is time to get ready for work. I head toward the kitchen doorway, then stop and turn to face Joel. “Hold off on speaking to that guy about accepting his offer.”
Joel perks up. “You have an idea?”
I shrug. “Not much of one. We could go to the bank, see what they say about extending the term on the mortgage, or I could talk to my parents about a loan? It’s probably a long shot, but it beats letting this place go.” I look around the farmhouse kitchen we renovated and voice the words in my heart, not just in my head. “Letting ourhomego.”
Joel and Win nod.
They know the odds of keeping this place are slim, but they’ve always been a lot more hopeful than I am. But maybe things will work out. More of their positivity must have rubbed off on me than I realized.
Chapter 23
Rose
“Mommy!”
Ben bounces up and down on my bed. He doesn’t jump on my head, but it’s a near thing.
“Ben,” I warn him, yawning.
“Sorry, Mommy.” He stops bouncing and tucks himself closer. He’s on top of the sheet, and I have it pulled up to my neck so he won’t know I’m naked under it. “Did I hurt you?”
“You didn’t hurt me, baby. Just no jumping on the bed when I’m sleeping in it, okay? You could trip over me and fall.”
“Or jump on your head?”
“Or that.” I wrap my arms around him, taking advantage of the precious few seconds I have before his impatience takes over and he gets up. He won’t be small like this forever, and he won’t appreciate hugs and morning snuggles when he’s a teenager. “Didn’t I hear your voice earlier?”
