Page 168

Well, good thing my job kept me in shape, because I never had the energy for those runs Kit liked to go on. He ran with his friend Piper. They usually stopped for a bottle of water and walked a while to cool down, and he liked to joke that he got a free counseling session every week.

I’d gone back to see my therapist, too. Once Kit and I started dating, I realized just how much my feelings of unworthiness held back our relationship. I wanted to deserve him, but there was a part of me convinced I never would.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever completely let go of the guilt over what happened to Dakota—and I was okay with that. I should carry some regret. She had to live with it, and so did I. But day by day, it got a little easier to let myself accept happiness.

To look forward to what was next in my life, instead of dwelling on the past.

My phone rang as I was wrapping up for the day. I answered it on my way to the car.

“Hey, babe,” Kit said. “I’ve got an appointment running late, so I’m not going to make it home before family dinner.”

“Okay, I’ve got to shower off the dust and sweat. I’ll meet you over there.”

We all met up for a weekly dinner—including their father—which had been really awkward for a while. But by now, it was tradition. Kit and Dakota were still close, even if they had gone their separate ways.

Kit and I had only made it six weeks before moving in together, and Dakota had gotten married last year.

I cleaned up and headed over to Dakota’s house—the same house she and Kit had shared for years. Now, it was Felipe’s home, too. I parked out front and walked past a row of vehicles lined up in the driveway like dominoes.

Dakota scolded me whenever I knocked, so I opened the door and let myself in.

Pogo greeted me with a happy bark and trotted over to paw at my leg. I rubbed his head. “Hey, boy. Did you miss me?”

“I always miss you,” Kit answered, eyes teasing, as he approached.

He wore loose track pants and a form-fitting T-shirt that molded to his muscles. I loved that my man’s work uniform was basically the sexiest, clingiest clothing ever.

I stepped forward, tipping my face up for a kiss. Kit was quick to give me what I wanted. Despite our bedroom games—where he sometimes bossed me around and edged me mercilessly—he was a huge softie who mostly gave me whatever I wanted. It had been tough for me to handle that early on.

But with time, I understood it was his love language. Once he’d decided he forgave me, he’d never looked back.

“Love you,” I murmured against his lips, taking advantage of the minute of privacy we had before we had to join everyone for dinner.

“Love you too.” Kit ran his big hands down my back. “How was work?”

“Great. It’s really coming along.”

“It’s been a lot of work for you. You’ve been so tired.”

I smirked up at him. “I’m never too tired for you, Freckles.”

He rolled his eyes up. He pretended to hate the nickname, but I saw the flash of smile he tried to hide. “You’ll pay for that later.”

“I hope so.”

“Come on, you two!” Dakota called from the kitchen. “Get in here. Food is ready.”

We walked into the large eat-in kitchen. Dakota was rolling her chair toward the dining room table. Mr. Willis was setting out plates. Felipe carried a serving bowl to the table.

“How can I help?” I asked.

“Grab the pitcher of iced tea from the fridge?” Dakota asked.

I moved that direction while Kit grabbed a second serving dish of vegetables from the island.

We settled around the table in our usual seats—Dakota and Kit directly across from each other; Mr. Willis to Dakota’s left, and Felipe to her right, and me to Kit’s left. Pogo, of course, took up residence next to Mr. Willis’s feet. He knew who gave in to his begging when no one was looking.

“This looks great,” I said. “I love these smothered pork chops. They’re the best.”