Page 82 of Heat Advisory

“Whatever.”

I had just finished setting her food in her dish when I heard a quick knock at my door, followed by the sound of a key turning in the deadbolt.

Jay had texted that he was on his way over because he wanted to see me before heading back to his place to shower and sleep.

He walked in, and I felt a smile overtake my face. I couldn’t believe this man was finally mine. All those nights of dreaming about him as a teenager had turned into reality. Except reality was way better than anything I could have imagined.

“Mmmm…something smells good,” he said, his eyes on me as he walked to my kitchen.

“Do you mean the cat food or the bacon on the stove?” I teased because cat food smelled gross, no matter what flavor it was.

“Neither. I think it’s you.”

He leaned down to kiss me, pulling me into his arms.

The kiss didn’t last long before his lips trailed to my jaw, then to the spot behind my ear, and finally down my neck. I tilted my head back, giving him easier access.

“You definitely smell good,” he mumbled against my skin. “You taste good, too.”

“As much as I like where this is going, I need to eat and get to work,” I said reluctantly. I still had to swing by the pharmacy to pick up my birth control pills—which I meant to do three days ago.

Although, feeling his lips on my neck, I wondered if I could push that errand to my lunch break and give myself a few extra minutes right now.

He sighed and kissed my forehead. “It’s okay. I need to go home and shower and take a nap, anyway. It was a busy night, so I didn’t get much sleep at the station.”

“You should have just gone straight home, then.”

Jay was working his last few shifts as a firefighter before taking on his new role full-time next week.

“I needed to see you first.” His thumb brushed gently over my cheek. “Totally worth it.”

“You should just move your stuff over here,” I said. The words slipped out before I could stop them.

The kitchen went very, very quiet. Even the sizzling sound of bacon seemed to disappear.

He didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me—not confused or even amused, just…searching.

I was suddenly hyperaware of everything, including my heart, which was beating way too fast and threatening to jump out of my chest.

“Then you can shower and nap here while I’m at work,” I added, softer now and less sure.

For a split second, panic flickered and doubt set in.

Had I crossed that line too soon?

I knew we loved each other, but moving in together was a whole new layer. Still, when I really thought about it, I knew it was what I wanted. Hazel would have just gone for it. So would Iris. I needed to channel more of their energy.

This could be my real life. I just had to lean in.

“I mean…” I paused, trying to play it cool and casual, “Instead of bringing clothes over for a night or two, why not just bring it all over? You’re hardly ever at your place except to sleep during the day. And if you’re off, you sleep here with me those nights, anyway. It just makes sense.”

“Is that the only reason?” he asked quietly, but his gaze was no less intense.

There it was. The real reason he paused.

I knew I could have simply said yes, made it about practicality and logic, but then I’d be lying to both of us.

“No,” I admitted, making my voice stronger, even though my stomach was still doing somersaults. “I want you here all the time. To hang out, to chat about work, to handle the ups and downs together.”