She holds on for one more beat before letting go and picking up her coffee. She gives me a wide grin, and the mood shifts like she’s flipping a switch.
“Okay. The emotional portion of our program is over. I need at least one physical detail.”
Oh no.
“Does his accent get thicker when he’s—“
“How did you—“ I stop. “Yes.”
“Oh my god.”
“You have no idea.”
We dissolve into giggles, and I’m reminded again why she’s been my best friend since childhood. Someday, I’ll tell her everything. About Leo. About Dane. About the life I’m building that I never thought I’d have. But right now, this is enough. Sitting with my best friend in this sticky vinyl booth and just being honest about being happy.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out under the table.
Leo:Haggis was a disaster. We’re ordering Thai. Dane says to tell you he tried to warn me. Come home soon or Dane might eat it all. He’s making no promises to leave you any.
I read it twice. That word.Home.
I slide the phone away and smile at Willow.
She gives me a cute grin. “Are you texting him right now? You’re totally texting him.”
“I am not.” I nudge her foot under the table. “Tell me more about Mike. Is he really your boyfriend now, or are you just saying that?”
She launches into it, and I sit back and listen, grateful. Grateful for her, for this, for the fact that she’s not pushing. She’ll wait.
And when I’m ready, I’ll tell her everything.
Chapter 7
It’s New Year’s Eve, and I let the guys plan the evening. Leo’s idea includes champagne. Dane said he’s in charge of the candles.
After dinner, I decide to take a long shower and pamper myself a little. When I come downstairs, the living room is cozy and romantic. There’s a fire going, and candles are placed around the room. Leo is in the kitchen, uncorking a bottle.
This doesn’t seem as weird as it would have two months ago, but anxiety has been my constant companion all day. Leo and I agreed on a timeline. I was supposed to be his freeuse plaything through the holidays, and we never actually discussed how long this is going to last now that things have changed.
“There she is.” Leo walks out from the kitchen carrying three crystal champagne flutes. “You clean up nice, lass.”
His gaze drops to my simple green dress, but the way he’s looking at me makes it feel like couture.
“I showered and put on a clean dress. Real high bar.”
He grins. “Now come here.”
He’s so damn sexy it makes my pulse speed up. When I get close, he opens his arms, and I hug him. He’s careful not to spill the champagne as he wraps his arms around me. I breathe in his familiar scent and relax a little. It’s hard to be wound up around Leo.
He kisses my temple, and his lips linger there. “Happy New Year’s,” he murmurs.
“It’s not midnight yet.”
“I’m getting a head start.”
I smile against his collarbone. Everything seems so simple with him.
Dane comes downstairs. He’s been quieter than usual today, and neither of us has pushed him to talk. He’s clearly thinking about something, but he’s the type who needs to mull things over before he shares.
