Page 57 of Love Under Protection

I stand up from my seat and move over to wrap her in a hug. “I’m so damn sorry babe.”

“Enough of this depressing shit. What do you say we get out of here?”

I hold up my hand, “Check please!”

Chapter 31

Raylynn

Telling Harley that I love him was easy. Admitting it to myself before that was the hard part.

Now that he knows I’m ready to move on with him, he’s pulled out all the stops. Like, telling Jameson and Oliva that I’m moving out. He wasted no time making sure our friends knew that not only were we officially together but that the first day he had off, we would be moving all of my stuff into his apartment.

I could have protested, and for a few minutes, I considered it. What would be the point though? More often than not, over the last handful of weeks, I’ve been staying at his place and slowly, some of my things have already migrated over.

I think deep down, we’ve been together, even when we weren’t really.

So, instead of fighting Harley on moving, I’m spending my last Saturday with Jameson and Liv watching movies and eating popcorn on their couch. Only because I talked them both into helping me move all my things into Harley’s apartment while he’s on duty today. Now, I’ll wait until he comes home and calls to ask what the fuck happened.

“I’m going to miss having you here.” Liv sighs and leans her head on my shoulder whileBridesmaidsplays on the TV.

“I’m going to miss when you cook dinner. Can you still do that, like twice a week?” Jameson asks.

Liv throws a piece of popcorn at him that lands on the floor, and Peaches is all too happy to clean up.

“What? It’s an honest question. You know you’re a great cook too. Raylynn cooking means there are fewer nights when I have to. Teamwork.” He shrugs and takes a drink of his beer.

“I’ll make you both a deal. We can have family dinners once a week. Like we used to all throughout school, back in Georgia.”

“Only if Harley has to cook a meal once a month,” Jameson agrees.

Liv is about to scold Jameson, I’m sure of it, when there’s a knock on their door. To skip her sarcastic wrath, he hops up and answers it.

“Oh, hello, Officer. Is the TV too loud? We can keep it down,” Jameson jokes.

“Where is she?” Harley’s strained voice goes right to my lady bits. Suddenly my whole body is perking up.

Jameson sing songs, “Somebody’s getting arrested,” as he steps back to let Harley in.

“Olivia,” Harley says curtly in her direction. “Raylynn.” I’m rewarded with the brow raise.

He’s still in his uniform though his weapon, and the rest of his duty belt is gone.

“Yes,” I nearly squeak.

“Want to explain to me why there are snow globes all over my dressers, heels in my closet where my shoes once were, a fluffy pink-flowered blanket on my bed and throw pillows on my sofa?”

I almost lose it and burst into laughter. “Surprise, honey! I’m all moved in.”

“Man, be lucky we talked her out of putting up pink curtains in your living room,” Jameson once again adds his two cents.

Harley wiggles a single finger for me to come with him.

Liv snickers and Jameson gags.

“Guess I’ll see you all next week for dinner. Laters!”

I squeal when Harley scoops me up like some sort of deranged caveman and carries me next door. He marches straight to the kitchen and sits me down on the countertop.

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