Page 113 of Unforgivable

“Stop! Stop, stop, you’re right! Your way was better,” he laughed melodically. “Speaking of good ideas though, are you ever gonna tell me what this mysterious trip is?”

I twisted my fingers in his soft waves, scratching at his scalp until he was practically purring. “Ah, that. Well, if you must know, I’m whisking your sexy ass away to Washington for two weeks in late June.” I was taking dad’s advice and putting the money he gave me to good use. Any money spent on Rhys was money well-spent.

His head perked up like an eager puppy, his excitement evident. “Washington??”

“Seattle, to be exact. A few days in Mt. Rainier National Park, too. I figured it’d be a great place to go camping if you wanted.”

“You’re—you—why—” he stammered. Apparently the news was a bit of an overload since his brain seemed to be fritzing out. “I can’t believe you planned a trip to Seattle for us!”

“Don’t forget Mt. Rainier. Seeing as how you have this morbid obsession with volcanoes, I’d call that a badass date,” I added. Rhys slammed his mouth over mine again, inhaling my smug chuckle as he attacked me with his tongue. I just laid there as he lavished his thanks on me like a willing victim.

“Cal, I cannot tell you what this means to me. I’m so freaking excited! It’s going to be amazing!”

“Yep, and we leave on the fifteenth, so we don’t have long to move your stuff in and get you settled.”

Rhys mouth fell open, a look of shock crossing his features. “What are you talking about?”

I tipped my head, giving him a puzzled look. “You’re moving in with me this summer. Didn’t you know?”

“Wait, I’m what?” he squeaked, and my confidence wavered slightly. “You’re asking me to move in with you?”

“Eh, I’m not asking so much as telling you it’s happening. Griffin told me he’s moving to a single apartment close by, so I’ll have all this space to myself. I mean, this whole living apart thing is cool and all, but I’m wanting to move on to bigger and better things. Mainly, you and me in a bed of our own every single night until we’re pushing up daisies.” I slid my eyes over to him while keeping my face aimed at the ceiling nonchalantly.

Rhys’ lips turned up slowly at the corners, a bright grin taking over his face. But he quickly shut it down and let out a deep sigh, like he was highly inconvenienced. “I guess I’ll take it under advisement. As far as roommates go, you’re not the worst option. We’re going to have to figure out what to do with my comfy couch though because, I’m sorry,it takes priority over you. I have a codependent relationship with that couch, so we’re a packaged deal.”

“Yeah, no, we’re actually gonna need that couch when you move in with me. The couch here is Griffin’s and he’s taking it with him.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to work for me. I can’t exactly live with my bully. What kind of message is that?” Rhys snorted as though it was a ludicrous idea.

“Oh, but it’s perfectly acceptable to fall for him?” I asked, peering down at him lounging on my shoulder now.

“I’m still 50/50 on that most days. There’s still a good chance I leave your butt and take off for Seattle on my own.”

“I guess it sucks for you then that the move-in and the trip are also a packaged deal. It’s not the loving, codependent relationship you have with your couch, but it’s a combo deal nonetheless,” I tsked, and Rhys groaned dramatically.

“Ugh, is this what it feels like when you’re backed into a corner? I have to say, it’s not nearly as hot as it sounds like it would be…”

“That’s right. So it’s settled. You’re moving in with me.”

He peeked up at me with narrowed eyes, and I just smiled widely at him. “You know that was more of a demand than a question, right?”

“Huh, were you supposed to get a say in it? My bad. Sweetness, on a scale of yes to hell fucking yes, how would you like to move in with me?”

“You’re really making it an enticing offer, truly…” he snarked, rolling to his back next to me.

“This is a golden opportunity you’re being presented with. I’d think you’d jump on this. Question is, are you gonna keep being a stubborn ass about it or just say yes?”

“Oh my gosh, I’ll move in with you, you insufferable idiot. I guess it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever to wake up to your arrogant, gorgeous face every day.”

“How about waking up to it for the rest of your life?” I asked, reaching down to twine our fingers together. His head whipped toward mine, and I saw the breath catch in his chest.

“Wait, what?…Are you…you’re not right?” he stuttered again, and fuck, he was cute.

“Not what?” I asked innocently.

“Proposing?…” His voice betrayed his nerves, but there was a tinge of hope there that made my pulse skitter.

“No, I’m not. Trust me, when I propose, you’ll know it, Sweetness. But I will one day,” I told him matter-of-factly. I twisted my head and caught his gaze, so much emotion conveyed between us in that moment.

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