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I reached for her, for a hug that we both needed.

“Have fun at the studio,” she whispered. “Make a lot of noise. And don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

I nodded, and she headed for the living room.

Getting out of the house for a bit would be good. I headed upstairs to my bedroom, but when I got there, I paused. Faise was sitting on my bed, still dressed in my clothes, staring at his hands like he was waiting for an answer to a prayer. I didn't move a muscle. I just stared and took in the sight of him.

He looked so right in my bedroom, on my bed.

I'd never imagined that being in a relationship was something that I’d ever want. But looking at Faise now, it was like he was always meant to be here. And when he looked up at me, I had serious doubts that he and I were going to make it to the recording studio at all.

In his gaze there was heat and passion, but also trepidation, worry.

I knew that with my best friend I couldn't just say the words. The only way to reassure him that I was in this for good was by showing him, not just telling him. If I had paid attention, I would’ve realized sooner that my need to always be in his personal space meant more than friends. I always had a need to touch him. But it also worked the other way. I needed his touch as much as he needed mine.

“Move in with me,” I blurted out.

Faise’s mouth opened and closed.

He shook his head. “What?”

“You heard me. Move in with me. After we finish up with the rehearsal studio, we're going to go by your place, grab as much of your stuff as we can, and bring it back here. This is where you belong. With me.”

“What about taking things slow?”

“Sex, yeah. If you want. But everything else, no. You can stay in another bedroom if you’re more comfortable with that, but I want you here, in my home. I want to hear your laugh, I want to talk to you all day, every day. I want to wake up and see your beautiful face. You need to know that this is so far beyond fucking. I’m ready. And I’m not looking back.”

Faise nodded, standing up. I walked over and pulled him into my arms. He smiled, wide, and when his dimples appeared, I was a goner.

“I want that too,” Faise replied and kissed me languidly. “It already feels like this is where I’m meant to be. It already feels like home.”

It certainly did.

CHAPTER 22

FAISE

After Ronin told me all about the call with his mom, and Bibi coming over to stay with Ciara, we headed out to the recording studio with Lennie.

Our phones blew up with messages from other friends, musicians and the like that had heard about what had happened, offering their support. It meant a lot.

It was overwhelming, but in a good way.

Just like when Ronin took hold of my hand as we left the house. And he hadn't let go of it since. Not when our bodyguards stared at us, and not during the entire car ride to the studio. I don't know if we were followed by the paps. I'm sure we were, but I didn't care to know. I was so overloaded at this point that pounding out a whole bunch of songs on my drum kit was just what I needed. No matter what, I could always count on sessions to help me figure shit out.

Jesse was already at the studio and greeted us at the front door. When he saw my hand in Ro’s, he paused and gave us a quick grin. But his eyes told a different story. And for a moment, I felt guilty. I couldn't imagine how devastated I’d be if I’d told Ronan how I felt and he didn't feel the same. I totally got why Jesse's band had broken up. If I had to work day in and day out with the man I was in love with, but could never have, I wasn't sure I could make it either.

Jesse motioned for us to come inside. And wow, the new recording studio was even bigger and brighter than our old one. All our instruments were already in place, ready to go. Everything was organized in such a manner that it hardly needed fine tuning at all. And given that Jesse was a musician too, it made sense.

“I’m gonna do some work and sit with Ace. Let me know if you guys need anything.”

We thanked him and headed into the recording booth.

Brodie and Holls were already seated, strumming their guitars to a new tune. When they spotted us, they smiled and waved us over. Ronin still hadn’t let go of my hand and it made me giddy.

“Well, well, if it isn't the Wayward Lane love birds,” Brodie quipped.

“Shut up and play,” I grumbled, suddenly self-conscious.

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