Page 13

Halfway home, Santiago and Gael drove past, and River and I nodded in hello.

“I saw online that Santiago’s still giving Reese shit for not hosting a proper housewarming party,” I mentioned.

“Let them complain.” River squinted for the sun. “Then again, I’m not sure Reese’s approach is better. Smaller, sure, but more drawn out. If people can’t find the time to come, let’s fuckin’ cancel.”

I agreed. Instead, Reese had opted to put together smaller shindigs here and there. To his credit, it meant we could be more selective with who we invited. We didn’t want the whole fucking community in our backyard. So the way things looked right now, we’d have one main date for friends to come over, and then a few additional barbecues to catch the ones who couldn’t make it otherwise. And it wasn’t like they had shit excuses either. The Carters were getting married and heading off on their honeymoon. Ivy would go into labor any day now. Tate and Kingsley were balls deep in wedding plans. Nathan and Ash were off on some family road trip to fucking Kansas. And the Finlays had two million kids and lived too far away.

We veered right when we reached our private road, and River opened the gate through his phone.

Romeo picked up the pace, sensing we were almost home.

He was so fucking cute I could almost die.

“Are we really sure we don’t wanna allow the pups in our bed?” I asked.

River side-eyed me with a faint smirk. “You have two dogs in your bed already.”

I let out a laugh.

He shook his head, amused. “I ain’t breathin’ in dog hair when I sleep. ’Sides, you think they’re cute and cuddly now—wait till they’re seventy pounds each and claim the bed as their own.”

Worth it.

Oh, all right. I’d settle for sharing my bed with two Tenley beasts.

“The discipline is good for them,” he added firmly. “They have the potential for growing up to be good watchdogs.”

I nodded, already planning on attending classes with them. “Yes, Sir.”

Past the cars in the driveway, I hurried up onto the porch to get the door.

We didn’t spend any time out here, so the area was pretty bare. Aunt Mel had given us two rosebushes that flanked the porch, but that was about it. The rest was stone, gravel, and unused soil. The backyard was way cozier, with the pool, a barbecue area and lounge furniture, a lemon tree that I had bought, bushes, a big lawn, and an oak that provided shade without filling the water with leaves.

Next year, I wanted space for plum trees.

“Let’s go in to Daddy, Romeo.” I removed his collar, then opened the door, and he sprinted inside. But he didn’t get far; Lima was right there in the hallway waiting for him. Their puppy barks were fucking adorable.

Where was Reese, though? I’d half expected him to wait right next to Lima. I knew for a fact that he got an alert on his phone every time the gate was opened, so… Never mind, there he was. He appeared in the hallway with his phone in hand and a fair bit of apprehension in his eyes.

That was something I had to keep in mind. What they didn’t say with words, they showed. I’d never met any two people who could be as stone-faced as River and Reese—but they didn’t hide their feelings and expressions from me.

Reese hesitated, glancing at River and then at me.

“You may hug the hell out of me,” I said.

A breath gusted out of him, and he closed the distance between us in two seconds. Then he shifted my arms around his neck and legit lifted me off the floor as he squeezed me to him.

I grinned against his neck and hitched my legs around him too. And the reward? Having my senses invaded by his aftershave. Just like I had earlier when River had hugged me. I would’ve been too used to the scent if I’d worn it too.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

I tightened my hold on him. “I know. It’s okay. River explained everything.”

“It’s a start, but we’ve got more to show you,” he murmured.

I guessed he had no plans on releasing me yet, ’cause he started walking us into the living room.

“Where are we on that, by the way?” River asked.