Page 85 of Interference

I snorted. “Okay, I can see that.” We both chuckled, but it slowly faded, and as the silence held, reality settled in. I swallowed hard and held Anthony’s gaze. “Are you really sure about this?”

“Yes,” he said.

“But… I mean, for how long?” I drummed my fingers on the counter. “I know you said you like having someone here, but I also don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“You’re not,” he said quietly. “And as for how long, I mean…” He seemed to think about it, then shrugged. “I just can’t see kicking you out onto the streets again. So… I guess as long as it takes to get you set up with something better?”

I blinked. “Set me up with—that could take ages.” My shoulders dropped. “I’m not gonna lie, man—the job market is pretty bleak, and housing…” I whistled.

Anthony nodded. “I know. I’ve heard it’s a shitshow out there. I…” He hesitated, shifting his weight. “Listen, it’s a complex situation. Especially finding a long-term solution. And between the hockey season and this bullshit with Simon?” He laughed humorlessly and shook his head. “I don’t have the brain cells to figure it out.” His laughter faded. “So why don’t we put a pin in the whole thing until the hockey season is over?”

“Until—” I almost choked. “That’s months away, isn’t it?”

“April. May.” He wobbled his hand. “Maybe June. Depends on how far we go into the playoffs.”

“Okay, but that means you want me to just… stick around until then?”

His forehead creased. “I’m not going to force you to. You can leave any time you want. But the invitation is open.”

It took some serious work to swallow. “I… don’t even know what to say.”

He offered up a cautious smile. “Just say you’ll keep making those eggs in the morning.”

I laughed, which felt amazing and also hid how close I was to tears. “I’ll make those any time you want.”

That beautiful smile made me dizzy. “It’s a deal, then.”

“Thank you. I… Just… Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He glanced at the microwave and grimaced. “Crap, it’s later than I thought. I need to eat something and then get to the rink.” Facing me again, he raised his eyebrows. “Do you want to watch a game tonight? I think Boston’s playing in Los Angeles, and that’s always an entertaining match.”

Another laugh almost came tumbling out. Five minutes ago, I’d firmly made peace with sleeping outside without my dog tonight. Did I want to hang out on the couch with Lily, Anthony, and the cats, watching hockey after eating an actual meal? He didn’t even need to ask.

“That sounds great.” I rewound what he’d said, and my smile fell. “Is this, um…” I struggled to hold eye contact. “Is me staying here going to cause problems between you and…?” I tipped my head toward the garage.

Anthony’s expression faltered, and my heart clenched with panic. Shit, had I just talked him out of this? Because I sure as hell wouldn’t blame him if—

“Fuck him.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Fuck him.” Anthony shook his head emphatically. “He can have all the opinions about it he wants. This is between you and me.”

“Are… Are you sure?”

That smile… dear God. Did he have any idea how beautiful he was?

“I’m sure.” He gestured at the fridge. “Eggs?”

Eggs and bacon never tasted as good as they did that morning. Not even the time my mom cooked them after I’d come back from boot camp. Somehow I managed not to turn into a blubbering mess of gratitude and relief as we’d eaten, and I held my damn self together until after Anthony had left with Simon.

The only thing that kept me from losing it in the kitchen even then was the security cameras he had perched throughout the house. The thought of him reviewing them and seeing me falling apart… Yeah, no. I’d pass.

So I went back into the guest room that, by some unbelievable miracle, would still be my bedroom for…

For the next few months.

Holy shit.

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