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About twenty minutes later, Ricky slipped into the bedroom. I started to rise. He held out a hand to stop me.
"Gabriel wants us to stay here," he whispered. "Something about an encounter you had earlier? Is there a problem?"
"No, he's just being cautious. I'd prefer to go to my place."
"So would I." He rolled his eyes toward the door. "But I'd rather not piss him off when he's sticking close to help."
Ricky peeled off his shirt. I tried not to watch--I hate window-shopping, and there was no chance of a purchase tonight. When he got to the jean-shucking, though, my resolve buckled.
"Keep looking at me like that . . ." he murmured as he folded his clothing onto a chair.
"I know." I sighed. "Just too damned tempting."
He chuckled as he climbed into bed. "While I'm perfectly willing to satisfy that temptation . . ."
"It's not the time or the place," I said. "I know."
He pulled me against him. "About earlier. What I was trying to say is that I feel like shit about . . . well, about . . ."
"James?"
He exhaled, air hissing through his teeth. "Yeah. Definitely not what you want to talk about."
"I'd rather talk about it than lie awake worrying about what's bothering you."
He nodded. "It's just that I feel bad. I was so pissed off at him. For good reason, considering how he was treating you. But whatever James did, it was hard for you hearing me talk about your ex like he was some dirtbag psycho. That obviously wasn't the guy you got engaged to. I mishandled the situation, and I hurt you. I'm sorry."
"You didn't hurt me or mishandle it. Yes, it was tough. I felt like it reflected badly on me, plus it might scare you off. I'm just sorry that it happened. That all of it happened."
I was about to pull back, a fresh wave of grief rising, but he took my face in his hands and pulled me down into a kiss. When it broke, he held me there.
"You could never scare me away, Liv. I hope you know that."
I nodded, and he tugged me into an embrace. When at last I shifted to settle in for sleep, he looked up--way up. I followed his gaze to see TC perched on the headboard.
"That's a little unsettling," he said.
"TC? Down."
He did jump down--onto Ricky, who let out an oomph. I went to scoop up TC, but he gave me a baleful glare and lay down on Ricky's chest and curled up.
"Congratulations," I said. "You now own a cat. Don't forget to take him when you go."
"Didn't I just say I'm not going anywhere?"
"Damn. Well, at least he likes someone."
"Oh, he likes you just fine. This is a warning. If I try to jump you in the night, he'll rip my heart out."
I laughed softly and he pulled me against his side. I closed my eyes, and before I knew it, I was asleep.
--
I was in the kitchen the next morning, helping Rose with breakfast. Gabriel was at the table, busy on his laptop. Ricky had taken over the parlor desk to work on an assignment for school. As I washed berries, I said to Rose, "So, do you feel like you're running a boardinghouse?"
"Starting to," she said, putting a tin of muffins into the oven. "I might charge rent. And impose curfews. Seemed like doors were opening and closing half the night."
"Sorry," I said. "Ricky and I planned to go back to my place, but--"
