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“Then let me help you. I get it, life’s scary. But it’s easier when you have people around you that you trust. It might sound backwards, but let someone you trust take that burden of planning off your plate and trust them to surprise you in a way you’ll like. You can trust Collin and Lizzy, I would. Know that they are there for you and will keep you safe.” With a raised eyebrow, he continues. “You trusted me to surprise you on the gondola, remember?”

Shit. I can’t argue with him. It’s still so jarring to see Tanner so sensitive though. So serious.

I lean towards him, holding his scruffy face with one hand, pressing my lips to his.

“Trust isn’t always easy. But I’ll try, Tanner. Thank you,” I say, my eyes flutter shut as I press my forehead to his.

He stands back up, a fresh idea on his face.

“Hey,” he says, his ragged, deep voice breaking the silence, “we have like 15 minutes before they’re back. I told you I wanted you to see this kitchen.”

“Oh. You were serious? I thought that was just a clever ruse.” I look at him, enjoying the sight of him shirtless, only having put his jeans back on. He laughs. “Unintended benefit, Ronni.”

He turns to get dressed and I gasp.

“Oh, fuck.”

“What?” he asks, looking back at me terrified. “What’s wrong?”

“Your back,” I cover my mouth, seeing I was a little too aggressive with my nails. “You look like you got clawed by a raccoon.”

“Don’t worry,” he snorts. “I’ll come up with something.”

After getting dressed, we walk hand in hand back to the main house until we reach the kitchen.

I’m stunned. Tanner was right. The kitchen is incredible, like something out of an architecture magazine. I wander the enormous kitchen as Tanner leans against the refrigerator at the end of the room. It’s modern like the exterior of the house, with matte black countertops and sleek oak cabinets. In the center, there’s a massive island with waterfall counters and an oversized Italian range. I run my fingers over the ornate knobs on the eight burner range, picturing the meals I could prepare here. As I reach the end of the counter, heading towards the dining area, I notice a knife block with familiar handles. TJ must be a fan of Tanner’s work as well.

As I look into the open dining area, something else on the wall catches my eye. There’s a ten foot by ten foot painting of a tall, slender man with blonde hair. He’s holding a microphone up, singing, facing an unseen crowd not in the painting. His face is so familiar though.

Wait. It can’t be.

It’s Tommy Jacob. The singer from Teal Tigers. This dude, TJ, must be a huge fan.

Wait. Fuck. TJ.

“Tanner, is this fucking Tommy Jacob’s house?” I whip around to look at him, he’s already grinning as wide of a smile as that face can fit.

“Told you I had a surprise for you. Now you’ve been in his kitchen and fucked in his guesthouse. Something nice to think about the next time you listen to him.” He laughs, clearly amused that his surprise worked.

My jaw is hanging wide open. “How did you know? How did you remember I love Teal Tigers?” I ask, incredulous that he could think of this the same way he remembered my coffee order after all these years.

He walks closer, pressing his body into me as I lean against the edge of the dining room table, the painting still visible over his shoulder.

“I told you, Ronni,” his voice husky and low again, “I’ve thought about you inthatt-shirt for years. Hard to forget.”

He cups my ass, pulling me closer to him as he kisses me gently, tugging my lower lip as he pulls away.

“So, Tanner,” I look him in the eyes with a smirk, “time toact normalagain?”

“If we must,” he growls. “Let’s go, I guess.”

After heading back to the guesthouse, we hear the footsteps outside of Collin and Lizzy coming back with the carryout. I can just hear them mumbling something about finding Lizzy a cowboy together.

Dinner is quick, standing around the island in the still impressively large kitchen of the guesthouse. Not quite the monstrosity of the main house kitchen, but it still dwarfs our condo’s kitchen or even mine back at my house in Ohio.

While we’re standing around, the boys are talking about TJ, now everyone realizing that it’s Tommy Jacob’s house that we’re at. Lizzy seems less interested though, her eyes fixed on me.

“Ok, Lizzy. You’re starting to creep me out,” I say, putting my plate of dumplings down on the counter. “Why are you staring at me?”

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