The only time he’d paid for anything was when Spencer came to visit him on the island when they were in college. His parents said that was nonnegotiable and since they loved and respected Spencer, his best friend knew not to rock the boat and argue.

“I didn’t know our parents talked that much,” she said. “I knew they did when you guys lived together. Our parents worked out the costs for your apartment.”

“They did talk,” he said. “I believe they are doing it more now.”

“There is another reason for that,” she said.

“There is,” he said. “My parents are concerned about your health as much as your parents are. My mother isn’t intrusive, but she will be here to help in any way she can. Even if it’s giving reassurances to your mother.”

“I know,” she said. “And I appreciate that. I really do.” She turned to open a box.

“I’ll start bringing these to your car and putting them in the trunk. Where are your keys?”

“In my purse,” she said. “Have fun finding the fob. I just grab my purse and put it over my neck.”

“I love you and all, but I’m not putting a purse on for any woman.”

She looked up from putting clothes in the box. “Now I’m hurt. I thought you’d said you doanythingfor me.”

He laughed. “There is a line.”

“I’ve got a spare key on the windowsill in the kitchen.”

He walked to the kitchen, found the fob and put it in his pocket, then grabbed as many clothes on the hangers as he could. He was thinking he could get it done in two trips easily. She didn’t have that much.

After he was done with the second trip, he grabbed the two boxes she’d already packed and put them in the back of his SUV.

“How many boxes do you think you’ll have?” he asked.

“One more of clothes, then another of shoes. The last will be bathroom things and then food. I’m not leaving food in the fridge to stink.”

“Where are your grocery bags?” he asked. “I’ll take care of what needs to go now. We’ll get the rest in the next two weeks. We don’t need it today.”

“No,” she said. “The bags are in the lower cabinet by the sink.”

He took care of the food and brought that to the backseat of her car, then got the rest of her boxes.

In two hour’s time they were back at his place and unloading it all.

He was going to argue with her not to do it, but he saw the fire leap into her eyes and told her she could grab the clothes on the hangers and he’d get the boxes.

By the time he was done with all the boxes and putting them in his room, she’d hung her clothes up in the empty closet and had gone through two of the boxes to put clothes in drawers built into the closet.

“No comment on how big your closet is?” he asked.

“It’s the same size as yours,” she said. “What comment would I make?”

“I thought for sure you’d say you should get the bigger one if they were different sizes.”

She started to laugh. “Coy. I looked in your closet. You’ve got a lot more clothes than I do. I didn’t know you were so bougie.”

He walked toward her quickly, picked her up, and pinned her to the wall, his mouth landing on hers, her legs wrapping around his waist. After a few minutes of kissing, he said, “It’s mostly scrubs and jeans.”

“What?” she asked. There was a glazed look in her eyes.

“Damn, I might have to kiss you senseless more often.”

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