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“Hit the green arrow in the Homelink app. It’ll disarm the alarm and open the lock,” I told her.
She did, and after the lock clicked, she slid the glass door open.
“This is the great room,” I said.
Stepping inside, I let Electra pull Ally away. I set down the pet carrier. Feeling a surge of satisfaction, I grinned when I caught Electra leaning back to catch a glimpse of my ass. I might be a shit-ton older than her, and I might have my work cut out convincing her that the two of us were a done deal, but fuck yeah, she was as into me as I was into her.
“Sir Cat.” I opened the door to his cage and addressed the feline as he stuck his smushed face out. “Make yourself comfortable in your new home. Hey,” I called to the girls who had drifted to the kitchen. “You guys need to put out his food and water before you do anything else.”
“You’re sweet with him.” Electra licked her pretty lips.
I might not get why me liking and looking after her cat turned her on, but I read that cue correctly. I filed the information away. I certainly wasn’t above using whatever means necessary to bind her to me.
“We need his litter box from the SUV too,” Ally said.
“Right.” I nodded. “I’ll go out and get the rest of his stuff and your bags. Electra can give you the tour. Whatever you need or want while you’re here, take it. It’s yours. I want you to make this your home.”
“We usually make popcorn and stream a comedy show after work. That okay?” Ally gave me an expectant look.
I didn’t want to disappoint her, but man, I was wiped out. And I wanted alone time with Electra before I closed my eyes.
“It’s already later than usual with us stopping by the apartment and then coming here,” Electra said. “How about we do pancakes in the morning instead of popcorn tonight?”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, relieved that my woman could read my cues too.
We exchanged a look that felt like the tip of a flaming arrow hit the center of my heart. All the wrong stuff that was there before was consumed by that flame. It didn’t matter. It was her for me.
What man wouldn’t be all in with a woman like Electra? She was sexy as hell, smart, strong, and talented. Her being an excellent friend to my daughter was just extra points on a scoreboard for a game that was already won.
“You cook?” I asked Electra, arching a brow.
“Yeah,” she said. “My mom was a big baker, and my dad was a great cook. They taught me all I know about cooking, and life too.” Her voice dropped an octave. “I wish ...” She trailed off, her eyes taking on a telltale bright sheen.
“It’s okay. I’m here.”
I crossed to her, filing away every bit of information about her family that she shared because it was important, and I wanted to know everything about her. Holding and settling her comforted me.
A moment later, I felt Ally’s slender arms going around my waist. My eyes flashed with wetness, and my heart felt like it expanded three times inside my chest as my daughter hugged me and her best friend.
“What you said about time is true,” Electra whispered. “I wish I had prioritized more time with them while they were here.”
“I wish I had known I had a daughter as wonderful as Ally.”
I shifted and pulled both women into my embrace, experiencing another surge of desire to protect them. They were never going back to that apartment if I had my way.
“I wish I had found Electra at the beginning of my career, not the end.” I caught Electra’s silver gaze and held it. “We have losses, regrets. That’s life. We can’t change the past, but we can hold on to what we have found in the present.”
“Yes.” Electra sniffed. “You’re right.”
“I know I am,” I said cockily. “Happens all the time. Glad you finally acknowledge it.” I felt a spike of satisfaction when that earned me a smile. “Don’t hesitate to talk about your family, E. Even if it makes you sad. Even if it makes us both sad.”
I remembered how talking about my parents with her had helped me. Though my situation was different, I could see that bottling up the past wasn’t the way to go. We had to share with each other, connect on everything, the good and the bad, if we were going to do us properly.
“We make them a part of everything by remembering them and acknowledging the role they played in shaping you into the wonderful woman you are today.”
“Thank you.” Her silver eyes shone like stardust.
“Of course.” From nearly the beginning, Electra made me feel comfortable sharing my past and my thoughts. I was eager to return the favor. “Anything for you.”
