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Irun my fingers through my hair and smooth out my shirt while I take the stairs two at a time.

“Coming, coming!” I shout when the knocking starts again.

I jog to the door and swing it open. “Hey, guys.”

“There he is!” Matt booms from behind Lola. He holds up the two six-packs he holds. “I brought the supplies.”

Lola rolls her eyes as she pushes past me and hangs her coat. “Remind me to never skip a Friday dinner ever again. He’s been insufferable the whole way here.”

“Which is like a three-minute drive, Lola,” Matt shoots back.

James approaches and opens his arms, bringing me into one of his classic bear hugs. “It’s been too long, brother.”

I clap his back. “I know. I’m sorry. Work has been keeping me busy.”

He eases away, arching a brow over his thick glasses. “Work, huh? Lola filled me in on work.”

“Did she?” My eyes narrow to Lola, who smiles very sweetly in my direction. “I’m sure she had a lot to say.”

“Not really,” Matt chimes in. “Just that we might meet your work tonight.” He shakes out his long hair before gathering it back up into a bun. “Is she here?”

My mind wanders to Charlee, half-naked in my bed.

Yes, she’s here. She’s here and willing to talk to me. She’s absolutely stunning and breathtaking, and all I want to do is kick these idiots out of my house and savor her. Talk things out and learn everything there is to know about her.

“Oh, Oliver is hiding something,” Lola croons. “Look at that blush.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, she’s here, but I forgot to tell her you guys were coming, so take it easy on her.” I stare at Lola. Then Matt. “Please.”

“They’ll be on their best behavior,” James says, clasping his hand on my shoulder. “Right, guys?”

Matt puts his hands up. “You know I’m here for you, man. I’m Team Oli forever, no matter what. I’m just curious to meet the woman you gave up the last five years of your life for. Never thought we’d be here, to be honest with you.”

“We’re excited to meet her.” Lola takes my hand. “But we got you. Always.”

“Thank you.” I smile at them, taking in the unwavering loyalty in their eyes. My family. Not by blood, but by choice. Bound by unconditional love rather than lineage, making it the most beautiful bond of all.

“So,” James says, looking around. “Where is she?”

“She’s, um . . .” Realization hits. Fuck. I left her upstairs, in my bedroom, with her crutches in the kitchen. She’s gonna kill me when she tries to come downstairs and gets stuck.

I sigh, knowing none of them will let me off the hook with this one. “One last thing. Charlee hurt herself during the trip. She has a hard time walking without her crutches. And right now, she might be stuck upstairs.”

They all stare at me.

Matt breaks the silence first. “Upstairs?”

“When you say ‘upstairs,’ you mean your room, right?” Lola adds. “Charlee is in your bedroom. Right now.”

I nod. “She is.”

“Wait,” Matt blurts, a laugh bubbling in his throat. “Are you telling me that we just cockblocked you?”

“You didn’t cockblock me. We were just talking and her back hurt, so I . . .” Why am I telling them this? Jesus. “. . . offered to massage her.”

Matt howls a laugh that fills the entire house. It’s so loud I can’t even hear the sound of Lola and James cackling.

Yeah, I brought this on myself.