Page 79 of The Star in Room 7

“You can come next time. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I felt like he was watching over me.”

I reach across the table and graze my fingertips over Nate’s elbow.

“Anyway, I realized something while I was there.”

“Oh?”

Nate’s expression becomes more serious. He unthreads his fingers, reaches for my hand, and holds it. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I widen my eyes.

“Would you consider moving in with me?”

“Move—?”

He laughs. “Move in with me. We can look for somewhere else, if you don’t think my apartment is big enough.”

“It’s huge. More than big enough for two.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a yes?”

My pulse races. Should I spend time thinking about it? I count to three in my head. There. That’s time. “Yes!” I squeeze his hand. “Are you sure?” Maybe that should have come before accepting his offer.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

“When?”

“As soon as you’re ready to. Tonight? We are right around the corner from Halo House. It’ll only take a few minutes to drop around there to pick up your things.”

Not that I have much there. The clothes Nate retrieved for me from my apartment. A few personal effects he retrieved from there as well. Everything else got boxed up and put into temporary storage.

“Will Phoenix mind if I move out without warning?”

“I doubt it. He’ll be happy that you’re back on your feet.”

“I am. Thanks to you.”

Nate shakes his head. “You’re doing all the hard work, baby.”

“And I’m going to keep doing it. I don’t ever want to feel that overwhelmed and frightened again.” I keep my voice low, but the novelty value of our presence seems to have worn off. As far as I can tell, no one is even sparing us a glance, let alone trying to eavesdrop on our conversation.

“You won’t,” Nate promises. “You’re not alone. I’ll be at your side.”

“I know. Thank you. I love you. Let’s get my things after we’ve eaten. Then, maybe, we can go home and celebrate a second time.” I waggle my eyebrows.

“Do you have something in mind?”

I lean forward. “Yes, but I can’t talk about it here, so you’re just going to have to wait.”

He leans closer to me. “I think I can do that. Just about.” He winks at me and then sits upright, just in time for our waiter to bring our dinner to the table.

“Do you want me to text Phoenix to let him know we’re coming?” Nate asks once we’re in the car.

I nod. “I think that’s best.” I rest my hand on Nate’s thigh. “Thank you for dinner, Daddy. Wow! I’ve been wanting to call you that all evening!”