Page 213 of Only With You

“I’m glad your apartment burned down.”

I laugh. “I guess if that hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t be here, huh?”

“We would’ve eventually happened.”

I lift a brow, toying with his chain. I still have his old one on. I asked him if he wanted it back, but he said it looked better on me.

“You really believe that? We hated each other. We couldn’t be in the same room for a few minutes without wanting to strangle each other. And did you forget I was plotting your downfall?”

He pinches my ass. “I haven’t forgotten. Trust me, I’m very aware of how much we despised each other. My idiot friends like to remind me because they still can’t fathom we’re together. But I believe us happening was inevitable. Not sure how long it would’ve taken, butit wasgoing to happen.”

My cheeks ache from how hard I’m smiling because he speaks so confidently, so sure, I don’t doubt it.

60

JULIANNA

“We can’t go back out there.They know what we did.”

Having sex with Landon while our friends are just a few feet away from us wasn’t supposed to happen. But he kissed my neck, his beard scratched my skin the way I love so much, whispered how beautiful I am, said he loved me, and I caved.

In retrospect, I should’ve known it was going to happen. When I was straddling him, he kept giving me this look and it’s a look I struggle to say no to.

Landon flashes me a devious, lopsided grin as he drags his zipper up and buttons his pants. “Love, I’ve seen and heard almost everyone out there do things I wish I hadn’t. Aside from Gabby.”

“Actually”—I sit up, crisscrossing my legs—“I’m not sure that she’s waiting anymore. I could’ve been seeing things, but I swear I saw a hickey on her neck.”

His head jolts back. “You saw a hickey on Gabby? Are you sure? Because she’s been adamant about waiting.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but a few months ago, she said she was ready, but then she changed her mind. So I didn’t think anything of it, but then a few weeks ago, I saw something and again today, I saw it. It does look like she has makeup over it,and her hair is down, so it could’ve been a shadow, but I highly doubt that.”

He goes silent as he drags his shirt over his head, his expression bewildered. “Are you sure? Gabriella Alvarez?”

I giggle at the shock in his voice. “Yes. I wanted to ask her, but she would’ve shared that if she wanted to, right? I don’t think even Polly knows she’s seeing someone. Or maybe she’s not. Maybe I’m just seeing things.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” He grabs the money jar from my dresser and hands it to me.

My brows lift. “Now?”

He sits on the edge of my bed, nodding. “It’ll probably be gone by Christmas.”

I almost laugh. “Curious much?”

“This is Gabby we’re talking about. She’s an adult, she can do whatever she wants, but it’s so unlike her. She’s all about findingThe Oneand sailing off into the sunset.”

A laugh claws out at his flat tone. “You don’t want to be the one to give it to her?”

His brows furrow, lips pinched in a straight line. “I won’t be able to see it. Our height difference will make it hard. And she’ll cry.”

That last part is all I need to hear. The height will hinder him from seeing it, but I know if and when she cries, he’ll feel awkward. Everyone is out there and he’ll have eyes on him, and if he has to comfort her, he’ll feel uneasy.

He still doesn’t think he’s good with words despite how many times I’ve reassured him that he is. I know one day, with time and patience, he will.

I smile, cupping his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it.”

Landon grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles, and for a moment, we bask in the silence and in each other’s company.But the moment is pleasantly interrupted when we hear Christmas music come from the living room.

Before I hop off the bed, Landon stops me. “I see that the Rover is back.”

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