Page 62 of Where We Met

"It was built to be a backup master bedroom and bath in case whoever bought the house didn't want the master on the first floor."

"Ah, yes, of course. One would naturally build two if they couldn't decide where to put the bedroom."

Luke walks farther into the bathroom and shows me a closet that has towels and every shower or bath product imaginable. He’s pointing stuff out to me when we hear our dogs playing behind us in the bedroom, chasing each other in circles. We look at each other and laugh.

"How are we going to be able to separate them at bedtime?" I ask.

He shuts off the light, and we walk back into the room. "It's probably a good thing my bedroom is on a different floor."

There'smanyreasons that is a good thing, I think to myself.

"Well, I'll let you unpack and get settled in. I'm going to go grab a quick shower. I'll let you know when our dinner is here."

I nod. "Just let me know what I owe you for my salad."

He stops at the door. "It's a salad, Savannah. I'm not gonna make you pay me back for it."

"I’m not a charity case," I snap before I can stop myself.

He folds his arms across his chest and leans on the doorframe. "You know, I wouldn't accept money from any guest of mine. It has nothing to do with who you are to me. It's just the manners I was raised with. If you're in my home, I provide the food. I grew up in a big Italian family. No one argues about food with us. You want to call my ma and see what she has to say?"

I laugh at his dare. "No, I believe you. Thank you."

When he's gone, I look around at the room I'll be spending the next month. Bailey is sitting at my feet, looking up at me. I squat down and scratch behind her ears in her favorite spot.

"What do you think of this place?" I ask. She wags her tail faster, indicating she likes it. "I know, it's a lot better—and safer. You won't have to fend off any attackers around here."

I unpack my things and then decide I could use a shower too.

I have this nagging feeling that I should've just insisted I stay at my place. What would the girls think if they knew I was living with Professor Luke?

Chapter Twenty

Luke

"Getit,Vino,"Iyell as I toss the ball in the backyard, balancing my cup of warm coffee.

I'm standing here frustrated, trying to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to do with Savannah still sleeping upstairs.

It took me forever to get to sleep last night, knowing she was a short walk away. I could slip into her bed, and nobody would know. Nobody but me and my damn subconscious, which would be nagging me for the next five weeks.

Bailey comes running out of the door, dodging me, and heading for Vino.

I turn around to see Savannah, still in her pajamas, walking toward me, and my breath hitches.

"They survived their first night apart," she says with a sleepy smile.

I'm too awestruck by her natural beauty, waking up with no makeup and hair askew. It takes me a second to register her words.

What I want to say is I survived my first night apart from her; that's a much greater accomplishment.

"Together at last," I settle for as I turn back to them playing in the yard.

"Mmm…your coffee smells delicious," she says with her eyes closed.

I don't give it a second thought, and I extend my arm to give her my cup.

"What? No, I didn't mean I wanted yours."