“Something like that.”
“Well, I may have something that will ease your mind a bit,” Logan says.
“What’s that?” I ask, leaning my hip on the counter.
“A couple of things. I work with her every day. Braden knows not to show his face there anymore, and April refuses to put his calls through.”
“Okay. That’s good.” I’m grateful her co-workers have her back.
“I also asked her to move into the yellow house.”
“You didwhat?” My jaw drops in surprise.
“Ya, Hannah and I decided we want to live together at the cabin. The house will be empty, so I offered it to her earlier this week. After some thought, she agreed. She told us today.”
“Really?” I’m having a difficult time imagining her anywhere but in her tiny home filled with colour and whimsy.
“I’m only taking my personal stuff with me, so it will have everything she needs.”
“That’s great, man.” Riot grins at his best friend. “I’m happy for you both.”
“I can’t wait to be settled in one place with her. It has been a long time coming.” Turning back to me, he says, “Hannah hasbeen encouraging Beck to move into Maggie’s house for at least the winter, but she keeps insisting she will be fine.”
“When we renovated the Airstream, we made sure it could handle cold weather. She would be warm enough living there, but I’m glad she doesn’t have to,” Riot shares.
“When is she moving in?” I ask. I must admit that I’m disappointed that she didn’t tell me about Logan’s offer, but why would she? I’ve never given her any clear sign that I want anything more than friendship. Telling her how I feel will be the first thing I do when I get back from Toronto. There’s something going on between us.
“I’m sure we can make it happen by next weekend,” he says with confidence.
“In the meantime, we can check in on her in the evenings,” Riot reassures me.
“Maybe I’ll ask her if she wants to have a sleepover at my place while you are away,” Carson jokes, winking at me.
“If you don’t shut up, I will end up punchingyouin the face.” Logan shakes his head.
“I’ll hold him for you,” Dillon mutters as his phone chimes again.
“He knows I’m kidding,” Carson says. “Just like I know he’s been feeling a little possessive of her lately.”
“You really like her, huh?” Riot asks.
“I do,” I confess to my friends. “We haven’t talked about it yet, but I would like to see if we can explore what’s going on between us.”
“She deserves a good man in her life,” Logan says. “Someone who’s going to treat her well and not take advantage of her kindness.”
“Agreed.”
“Are you going to check that?” Riot asks Dillon when his phone chimes again.
“Do I have to?” he mumbles as he removes his phone from the front pocket of his jeans. “For fuck’s sake, I need to go.” He stands and walks towards the entrance. “Let me know when we are getting together for our next book club, yeah?”
“Do you want to host?” Carson asks, chuckling.
“With Harold? Not too fucking likely,” he calls back.
After we hear the door shut firmly behind him, Carson turns to me and says, “In all seriousness…”
“Wait. You know how to be serious? Who knew?” Riot mutters, rubbing his hand over the scruff along his jaw.
