Fear flared.Because if I said the thing I wanted to say, it would make everything real in a way I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
So instead, I offered the safest truth I could manage.
“I like you more than I thought.”
It was the closest I could get to the other words.Maybe it was close enough for now.
He went still against me, his face pressed to my neck.His arms tightened a fraction.
“I like you a lot, Piper,” he said softly.“And I’m glad you’re here.With me.”
It should not have unraveled me as much as it did.
My eyes drifted closed.
And then, without thinking too hard about it, I whispered, “Me, too.”
Eventually we had to get up.He loaned me a pair of sweatpants that were a bit too big and a shirt that was too baggy.But at least I didn’t have to wear my ruined jeans that smelled like something had died on them.
When I dressed and headed into his kitchen—small, warm, comfortable—he was pouring a mug.Then handed it to me, the corner of his mouth lifted.
“I like you in my clothes,” he said.
“Ha.Don’t get used to it.”
“I think it’s too late for that.”He smirked.“You also look good in my kitchen.”
My cheeks heated.“Owen…”
“What?You do.”He feigned innocence.
Which was adorable.
He was dressed, too.Wearing faded jeans, his boots, and an old faded t-shirt that was as soft as it looked.I sipped my coffee.He sipped his.And something about standing there in the early morning with the smell of freshly brewed beans did something to me.It was… domestic.And for a flash of a second, I could see us doing this every morning.
And that was terrifying and exhilarating at once.
“I should get home,” I said.“Check on the queens.”
He nodded.“I know.”He reached a hand toward me.I took it.“But we can finish our coffee first.”
My heart swelled.“Yes,” I agreed.“We can.”
Owen pulled into my driveway, put it in park, and then cut the engine.I gave him a curious look.
“I thought you were dropping me off?”I said.
“I thought I was coming inside with you to make sure the queens haven’t destroyed anything.”
I wanted to laugh but the way he looked at me made my heart melt.“All right then.”
We exited the truck and he followed me up the porch steps.I clutched my still smelling clothes under my arm as I opened the door and pushed it open.
Red was still sitting on the sofa, her legs folded underneath her watching a cooking show on Food Network.Willow sat on the cushion next to her, paws tucked under her round body.Eyes closed.Purring.Tani was in the kitchen making tea.
My house was weird.
“Well, well, well!”Tani called from the kitchen.“Look what the cat dragged in.”
