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I glance up at him. “You’re okay with that? Where will we sleep?”

“Gabe has a big bed,” Cole says idly, and Gabe glares at him.

“There’s plenty of space. I’ve got a guest room and Cole can bunk with me.”

“I’ll take the couch,” Marcus points out.

I nod slowly. I really don’t want to drive in this mess, and maybe… just maybe they’re serious about learning to share.

The very idea of it makes me wet between my thighs.

“Alright.”

We wait for a while, hoping the rain will calm down, but it doesn’t. Finally, Marcus drapes his coat over my head.

I pout up at him with it bundled around my head and shoulders.

“What about you?”

“I won’t melt.” He gives me a small smile, and it lights up his face.

My heart skips.

“You’re the one who’s going to wear the witch hat,” Cole teases.

“Then I’ll burn a tray on purpose,” I lie.

“We’ll see,” Gabe says mysteriously.

Marcus runs out first, cranking the truck and then we follow.

Everyone gets soaked but me.

Cole slides into the backseat. Gabe and I pile into the front with Marcus. I straddle the gearshift, one thigh pressed against Marcus, one thigh pressed against Gabe.

As we crawl the two minutes up the hill to the cabin, I watch the black clouds move across the sky, listen to the windshield wipers whirring.

This could be the start of something big.

Something real.

I’ve never been more ready.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

MARGO

Gabe’s place is bigger than I remembered, but last time I only made it as far as the front door.

“Sorry for the mess,” Gabe mumbles as he quickly tries to straighten up, moving a mop and bucket out of the way. “The skylight⁠—”

“You don’t have to apologize,” I say quickly. “We didn’t plan on this.”

Cole waltzes in like it’s his place instead of Gabe’s.

I follow him into the living room, looking around. It’s warm here. Cozy. It feels lived in, loved. I wonder briefly if Gabe’s late wife decorated it.

“It’s kind of a bachelor pad,” Gabe says almost mournfully. “Bought it after…”