“As much fun as it is to talk about Nate’s genitalia, I need to get some sleep.” Harlow wiggles out from under Mia, straightening her skirt when she stands. “I have a meeting with a tax guy in the morning, and falling asleep in the middle of his presentation probably isn’t professional. Appreciate the recommendation, Nate.”
“Happy to help.”
“I should go too.” Cooper yawns. “I’m on the early shift tomorrow morning, and the days I don’t get enough sleep are always the ones with the most calls.”
Mia slinks over to Richard, whispering something that makes him nod and end his call. “Text me if you want to grab lunch tomorrow, Quin. I’m going to need to take a break around noon,” she says. “We could go to that place on the lake and sit outside.”
“You know the way to my heart.” I smile and dole out hugs to almost everyone, opting to give Richard a pat on his shoulder. “Thanks for coming, y’all.”
The full round of goodbyes takes ten minutes. When the lastperson leaves—Nate, who grumbles under his breath when his Uber driver pulls up in a Toyota Camry with a broken taillight—I let out a breath.
The house is quiet. An absolute disaster with dirty dishes on the coffee table and empty pizza boxes on the kitchen table, but I sigh, my heart full after a night with my favorite people.
I pop in an AirPod and hum along to a pop song, heading back to the living room to start cleaning up. I stop in my tracks when I find Sebastian scooping a napkin off the floor, a trash bag in his hand.
“You’re still here?” I ask, pausing my music. “I thought you left.”
“Without helping you clean up?” An empty plastic cup is next to be tossed in the bag. “You shouldn’t have to do this by yourself.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Neither do I.”
Silence wedges its way between us. He moves to the television console and discards a pair of beer bottles.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You look like you’re walking better.” Sebastian lifts his chin in my direction. “How is your ankle?”
“I’m not running from a tornado anytime soon, but it’s much better. Are you— Did you want …” I swallow. A question bubbles to the surface, waiting on the tip of my tongue. It slips out, my words loose and risky. “Do you want to stay?”
He tilts his head, assessing me. “Do you want me to stay?”
I don’t let myself overanalyze it. I don’t let myself ask why. I don’t question what might have changed between us to make me not eager to say goodbye to him just yet, wanting a little more time without anyone else around.
I give him a nod, decision made. Maybe the universe knew we’d get here long before we did, but as I stare back at him, it feels unbelievably right.
“Yeah,” I say. “I do.”
“All done.” I stretch my back and drop the last pieces of half-eaten pizza crusts in the trash bag I’m holding. “Our friends are messy.”
“Thanks for your help. That would’ve taken much longer if I had to do it by myself.” Quincy walks out of the kitchen, her hands on her hips. “Are you mad at me?”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“Then why are you stomping around my house?”
“I’m not stomping. Some would call that walking with purpose.”
“My hardwood floors would say otherwise.”
“I’m not mad, I’m just …” I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. Worked up and sparking with adrenaline in a way I can’t explain. “I was worried about you.”
“When? Was it when Mia added those red pepper flakes to my pizza? I thought—”
“No.” I unplug the vacuum and move it out of the way. I walk toward her, paying close attention to her every move. Her feet shuffle across the rug. Her shoulders press into the wall behind her. I don’t stop until I’m in front of her, and when I am, I put my hand next to her head, almost caging her in. “You could’ve gotten hurt when you went outside.” My heart is somewhere between my stomach and my throat. My self-restraint is hanging on by a thread. “Again.”
“In the light rain shower we were experiencing?” Quincy lifts her chin, defiance in her gaze.She’s so goddamn beautiful.“Thiscompassion is nice, but I’m confused. Why do you suddenly care about my well-being?”
