Page 157 of Let Me Keep You

Gemma chuckles.

We fill our plates and glasses.

“So what torturous movie are you making me watch tonight?” she asks as we sit on the couch.

When I tell her the title, she rolls her eyes. “Tomorrow night, we’re watching 27 Dresses or Knocked Up.”

“Actually, tomorrow…” I linger after taking a bite of pizza. “I promised Everleigh we’d hang out with her because she’s getting cranky we’re always together. She said she’d be the third wheel, but I told her to invite someone.”

“Perfect! Definitely a Katherine Heigl movie then.”

“I’ll make sure we’re stocked up on whiskey.”

“You mean margaritas?” she counters.

“No, I’m gonna need the hard stuff to get through one of your movies.”

Gemma lifts her glass of wine with a smirk. “Exactly why I’m planning to drink the whole bottle tonight.”

I laugh, but it doesn’t matter because at this moment, we’re more focused on each other.

There’s no doubt about it—I’m falling even harder and faster for Gemma Reid, and I don’t ever want this feeling to stop.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

GEMMA

Though it’s Sunday and I typically sleep in, I get up early.

Once I’m dressed and drink a cup of coffee, I head over to Katie’s house. We’re going to some open houses, and I’ve been looking forward to it all week. She wants a fixer-upper, so it’ll be fun to walk through homes with character that have been lived in. It’ll be a stark difference from the brand-new cookie-cutter mansions Robert stages with pricey furniture.

When I park in her driveway, she opens the front door and waves me inside. But when I walk in, she’s anxious and fidgety.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just nervous about today. Plus, Owen threw a fit when my mother came to get him. He thinks he’s old enough to stay home alone. Boys,” she groans, rolling her eyes. “It’s times like this when I wish I would’ve had a girl.”

“Yeah, but she probably would’ve been worse, especially if she’d been anything like you. Young Katie was a high-maintenance, bratty know-it-all,” I tease.

Katie chuckles, grabbing her purse. “You’re probably right. I should be careful what I wish for and more thankful for what I have. I’d rather deal with a boy because our biggest arguments revolve around showering and video games.”

“Exactly.” I nod as we go to her car.

After we buckle in, Katie hands me a piece of paper with several addresses written down. I notice one’s a block down from my house. “Oh, I recognize this one. I think an older couple used to live there, and after their kids grew up, they moved to Alaska or something.”

“Really? So it’s not haunted. Noted.” She snickers as she drives us across town.

“So how’s the single life?” Last week, I told her all the details of Robert’s and my breakup and how I have zero plans to work it out with him.

I hold back a grin but fail miserably.

“Oh, excuse me,” she says all dramatically. “What I should’ve asked was how are you and Tyler?”

“Good. Actually great, if I’m being honest. We’ve been inseparable, and while we haven’t put a label on it, it feels official. I can’t stop kissing and touching him anytime he’s near. It’s never felt like this with anyone but him.”

Katie glances at me. “Happiness fits you, Gemma. Have y’all…you know?”

“No,” I rush out. “Not yet. We’re taking things one day at a time. I appreciate how patient he is, though I’m ready to jump his bones,” I admit, and Katie chuckles.