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“And I’m thinking about how much I love you.”

Blair tilts her face toward mine. I gently take her chin and kiss her, slow and deep.

“And I’m thinking I hate that you ever had to survive any of it,” I admit against her lips. “But I’m so fucking grateful you’re here. And that you’re letting me be here too.”

“I love you, Dean.”

She settles against my chest again, her breathing slowly evening out. I’m almost asleep when her voice breaks through the darkness.

“Thank you for not looking at me differently.”

I tighten my arms around her.

“Never,” I whisper. “Nothing you told me could change the way I see you.”

My fingers continue tracing her back until her breathing deepens and she finally falls asleep.

* * *

A loud banging on the front door tears me from sleep.

Blair jolts against my chest, her fingers tightening around my side before she seems to catch herself. The reaction is gone almost as quickly as it appeared.

Subtle enough that I might not have noticed yesterday.

I notice now.

She groans, burying her face against my chest. “If that’s a murderer, tell them to come back later.”

I laugh and climb out of bed, pulling on my boxers as the knocking starts again.

“BLAIR. I KNOW YOU’RE HOME.”

Georgie.

Of course it fucking is.

When I open the door, G looks me up and down. The suspicion written across her face makes it clear she wasn’t expecting me to answer Blair’s door shirtless.

When it comes to Georgie, she wears every thought she has on her face.

“Morning, Ashford,” she says slowly.

“Morning.”

She holds up two coffees. “Sorry, dude, but our morning coffee tradition isn’t stopping just because you’re here.”

“Wouldn’t dream of getting in the way.”

Her brows climb. “Good answer.”

She pushes past me and heads toward the kitchen. “Blair! Get your ass out here before I drink both of these.”

Blair emerges from the bedroom a moment later wearing my shirt, her hair all over the place and her eyes still heavy with sleep.

G smirks as she holds out Blair’s coffee. “Make sure you’re wearing more than your boyfriend next time, babe. I’ve already got a tequila hangover. I didn’t need that this morning.”

“Don’t,” Blair warns, snatching the coffee from her hand and taking a long sip.