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“Same, baby, same. Your bed is my new favorite place.”
He snorted. “You only like my taste in sheets.”
“Nah. I just like you.” I squeezed his ass as he moved to fetch cereal. It was a testament to how much I liked him that I let him fix me a bowl of his ridiculously healthy twigs and grass cereal instead of talking him into something else. “Do you need anything from the store? Might as well save you a trip too.”
“More of my energy water.” He pointed at a box in the corner of the kitchen with a single bottle left. “I’ve had this guest lately who keeps swiping my stash.”
“Oops. Sorry. Yeah, I can do that.” I pulled out my phone to make a fast note to get him two flats of the drink and one for my place.
“Don’t be sorry. If it helps you stave off headaches, I’m all for it. I like you being here.”
“I like me here too.”
“Good.” After giving me a fast hug, he set the bowls on his little table. “Speaking of places to stay, you think you’ll move back in with Ramona?”
“Not sure.” I took the seat opposite him. It was a reasonable question, but one I’d tried not to think about, especially since she was back so much sooner than I’d expected. “Guess a lot depends on whether she and Darren are breaking up for good or simply on break. Teddy’s older now, and each of us having our own space and privacy is good, but if she needs me…”
“I get it.” Reaching across the table, he patted my hand. “You’re a good brother.”
“Thanks.” Nodding, I took a breath, trying to figure out how to tell him that I’d still have time for him too without coming on too strong, given how he was still becoming okay with people knowing we were dating. But before I could find the words, his phone buzzed from its spot next to the coffee maker.
“At least the coffee’s ready.” Getting back up, he retrieved the phone, scanning it while he made two mugs of coffee. “Heck. Good thing I’m already up because I’ve got to go into the clinic. Today’s doctor called out with food poisoning.”
“That sucks.” I reached behind me to give him an awkward pat. “That’ll make a lot of shifts in a row for you.”
“Yep. Can’t be avoided. She says if she feels better, she’ll swap me a day later, so I’m not doing six in a row, but it’s still going to be a busy rest of the week.”
The back of my neck tingled, that sense I’d had yesterday of things changing too fast. Between Ramona’s return and Quinn’s work schedule, it might be days before I’d see him again.
“Tell me how I can help you. I can bring you food from the tavern, so you don’t have to cook.”
“Bring me you, so I sleep better.” Shaking his head, he chuckled.
“I’ll see what I can do. I like our late-night visits.”
“Me too. But seriously, I’ll be fine.” He stooped to give me a fast kiss. “I better go change though. I’ll leave you to your cereal.”
Our earlier coziness was lost to a flurry of Quinn getting ready and both of us heading out. As much as I was eager to talk with Ramona, I still wanted to drag Quinn back to bed, stop the rest of the world from intruding, give us another moment to bask in how perfect the night before had been.
“You’re all frowny.” Ramona slid into the passenger seat of my truck when I arrived at the B&B to pick her up. Teddy was at a playdate, catching up with one of his school friends. She hugged me then poked my arm playfully. “Your plans to sleep in get thwarted?”
“Something like that.” I didn’t want her to feel bad that her return was one more thing on my plate, and my cluttered thoughts where Quinn was concerned weren’t ready for a group discussion.
“I like your doctor friend.” Sitting back in the seat and stretching, she was so blatantly fishing that I had to chuckle.
“Me too.”
“Mom likes him too. A doctor. That’s an impressive catch for a bartender.” She said it lightly, but the barb still snuck under my skin, nonetheless. Maybe that was part of Quinn’s issue with being so twitchy about us being perceived as a couple. He said my lack of degrees wasn’t a thing, but what if it was?
“Hey, I’m a business owner now,” I protested, trying to remind myself that I was perfectly happy with my life and job situation.
“I know. Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by the comment. He’s lucky to have you.” She patted my arm as I slowed for a stoplight. “I’m just in a mood. I worked so hard to get my own job at the school here, commuting to the community college to get my credits even though I hate the drive. Working up from part-time to more hours. Not sure I want to give that up.”
