Page 116 of When We Burn

“Hey there, most beautiful woman in the world,” I whisper against her lips, mirroring Alex’s words and making my girl chuckle. “How are you?”

“I’m great. My boyfriend and his super adorable daughter are taking me sledding today.”

“Really? That sounds fun.” I smirk down at her and rub my nose over hers. “Bee’s okay?”

“She’s great.” Dani’s cheeks darken, and I narrow myeyes at her. “No, she’sreallyokay, if you get my meaning.”

I blink, and then I feel nauseous. “Jesus, I don’t want to know.”

“No.” She laughs and pats me on the cheek. “You really don’t want to know. But yay, Bee. I have to go across the street to get my snow gear.”

“You know, you really need to just move in with me and let the rental go.”

I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. I’d planned to ask her during a quiet moment, when it’s just the two of us, but the words just slipped out.

And her jaw drops.

And she steps out of my arms, which really pisses me off.

“Forget I said anything.”

“No.” She shakes her head and takes my hand in hers. “I’m not going to forget it.”

She licks her lips and glances over to make sure that Alex and Birdie are still busy.

“Bridger, are you sure?”

“Never been more positive of anything. You practically live here as it is. Pickles has been here for months. Most of your clothes are in our bedroom. Jesus, I’ve called itourbedroom for forever, because that’s what it is. There’s no need for you to keep the rental because I plan to keep you here, with us, forever.”

“Okay, that was swoony,” I hear Alex say. “If you don’t snatch him up, I will.”

“But, Birdie,” Dani begins, and I turn to my daughter, who’s listening carefully.

“Hey, peanut, what do you think about Dani living with us?”

“I thought she already did.” Birdie frowns at Dani. “You don’t live here? You sleep with my daddy, and Pickles sleeps with me.”

“Sounds like you live here,” Alex says, rocking back on her heels, a smile on her face. “Besides, this house iswaynicer than the other one. And it has these two in it.”

“You can’t argue with that logic.” I take Dani’s face in my hands. “We love you, and we want you here. And that goes for your things, too.”

She leans into me, rests her forehead on my chest, and when I tip her chin up, she has tears in her eyes. “That’s a good idea.”

“Yeah?” I feel like I just won the lottery. “Awesome.”

“My lease is up at the end of next month. It was only for six months, so I won’t renew it, and that gives us time to move everything over.”

“Aww. So sweet. Okay, I have to go.” Alex waves at us. “Have fun sledding, okay? Tell me all about it later, Birdie.”

“I will.”

It’s amazing the difference a couple thousand feet difference in altitude will make. Most of the snow intown was starting to melt, but up here on the ski mountain, there’s a few feet accumulated, perfect for sledding.

“Bee texted me,” Dani says from the passenger seat. “She said she and your brothers are coming up, too.”

“I sent them a message, in case they were up for it. All of them jumped at it. Even Beckett, which surprised me.”

“Why’s that?”

---