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“Tattle-tale,” she says, poking him in the side.
He laughs and hugs her close. “You and I can cuddle up on the couch together tonight, sweet girl. Have you seen that couch?”
“I guess that’s true,” she says, grinning up at him as his hand goes to her ass.
Or it couldnotwork to threaten Crew because everything always works out for the Golden Boy.
And I’m not sleeping in the big family bed with just Hughes.
Fucking McNeill.
The couch he bought is as absurd as the number of steps in this house. It’s a giant sectional with ottomans that can move in or out to form one massive square of fabric that’s roughly the size of a hockey rink. In a house that is narrow. It’s like parking a jumbo jet on a helicopter pad. The math doesn’t work for the space.
But Crew insisted it was the only way we could all be on the couch together comfortably and he isn’t wrong. It just looks…dumb. I prefer streamlined furniture with a low profile. Sculptural. Not an oversized bean bag for four.
Ascending the many stairs, I go through the front door with a sigh. Love is hard.
“Compromise is absolutely killing you, isn’t it?” Val asks.
“Slowly and surely,” I tell her. “But I’ll get used to it.”
Danielle is worth it. Her happiness makes me happy.
Most of the time.
The living room is crammed with boxes. The movers have already left and half of these boxes should have been taken upstairs. I knew I couldn’t trust Crew and his youthful knees to act as the enforcer with the movers, but I had a very important meeting I couldn’t miss this morning.
I half-heartedly shift a couple of boxes around, looking for the ones labeled with my name. I spot one labeled Michael, which Crew has crossed off and written “Doc” below. Then there is one right on top that Danielle has labeled with a Sharpie, “Nathan’s Bachelor Box.”
“What’s in here?” I ask.
Danielle, who is on the first step ready to descend into the game room, pauses and gives me an adorable smile. Her red hair is in a twisted braid that I want to tug. Just pull until she’s over here in my arms, reminding me why I’m changing everything in my life for her. Okay, noteverything, but a lot.
“Just some things I wasn’t sure you’d want to keep or not. I found them in your bathroom when I was helping you pack.”
I give her a little smile. “Thanks.”
“And, Nathan, Idounderstand that all of this mess is making you crazy and I promise to make Crew unpack at least a few boxes tonight, okay?” she asks.
She’s serious now and I remind myself that she knows all three of us well and even when she’s goofing around with Crew, she respects me and Michael, and knows our limits.
“Thank you, sweet girl.”
She blows me a kiss and disappears down the stairs.
Val follows her, giving me a look. “Smile, Nathan. Life is good.”
Yeah, it is. I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m having a blast, certainly not like my girlfriend and her other boyfriend downstairs exploring their personal arcade, but it is good. Though I can’t help but shake my head when I hear a shriek of laughter drift up the stairs from Danielle.
Using my keys, I rip open the box and peer inside. There’s a box of condoms, which I donotuse with Danielle. I have the delicious freedom of going bare with her, given the exclusivity of our relationship. Don’t need the condoms anymore. I set them on another box and continue digging in my so-called bachelor box.
There’s a pair of panties that aren’t Danielle’s. I know all her underwear and this purple satin thong thing isn’t her style at all. They must have been left behind by a former friend-with-benefits. Don’t need those either.
Under the panties is what I’ve always referred to as a hospitality kit. In the past, I never wanted women touching my personal stuff, so I had unopened toothbrushes, makeup wipes, deodorant, and sleep T-shirts for ‘guests’.
Unneeded and unwanted now.
Danielle can touch whatever she wants of mine.
