Page 86 of The Other Half

“It’s still the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life.”

“We are going to need to work on our sleeping arrangements.” He laughed. I peeked down to see Hank draped over his lower body.

“I’m literally unable to move. The three of you have me trapped.”

“But we’re so comfortable.” I looked up and pushed my lips into a pout.

“Well then. If you three are comfortable, by all means, who cares about me?”

“Exactly,” I teased and leaned up, brushing my lips against his.

After slipping his arm out from under Poppy, he brushed his fingers across my cheek before cupping my chin and pulling me in for a deeper kiss.

“Well, if you keep kissing me like this every morning, I suppose it can make up for the lack of sleep I’m in for with the three of you using me like a chaise lounge.”

“Deal.” I kissed him again.

“You up for a Jake special omelet?”

“Hell, yeah!”

“Good. I’ve got fresh eggs. Breakfast in bed?”

“Porch. I want to enjoy the view.”

After giving me one last kiss, he rose and walked across the room. His naked body held my eyes the entire way. “This view works, too.”

With a coy smile, he took his time pulling on a pair of shorts.

“No shirt.”

“No shirt is part of the Jake special omelet.” He waggled his brows.

He strode out of the room and I pulled the covers up over my head. How was this happening? How had I gotten here? Blissful didn’t even begin to capture the feelings surrounding my new life with Jake. Hank disrupted my thoughts when he collapsed on top of me, all one hundred pounds of him crushing into my stomach.

“Hank,” I groaned, struggling against him. But one look in those big brown eyes and I gave up my battle. “Good morning, buddy.”

After pulling myself out of the pile of dogs and climbing into another one of Jake’s oversized tees, I walked downstairs, following the smell of fresh eggs and simmering coffee. Leaning up against the doorway, I watched Jake float around the kitchen. The joy he radiated mirrored my own.

“Your coffee, love,” he said when he saw me. A wide grin matched mine when I saw the “I’m a Hooker” cup heading my way. “It’s tradition now. It’s officially your cup.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Jake opened his mouth to speak, then snapped it shut.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes and taking a sip of my coffee.

Rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, he glanced down at the ground before looking back up at me. Once again, he looked like he was about to say something, but instead he chewed on his lower lip.

My heart thumped. He looked so serious. Too serious. “What is it?”

With a deep sigh, he took my hand in his. “This may be fast, and I don’t want you to freak out, but what about making something more than that cup official? What do you think about leaving that terrifying cabin you call home and moving in here with me?”

I almost spat out the sip of coffee I’d just taken.

“If it’s too fast, I totally get it. I just figure if you’re staying up here in Door County, you’ll want somewhere less... horrifying to live.”

“Is that the only reason you want me to move in?” I set my coffee cup on the counter and slipped my arms around his neck.