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I take a bite and release an audible groan.

“See. Magical.” Tiny nods, a sly smile across his face.

“They are good,” I say with a laugh as I take another bite.

Looking over at Pauly, I grin as Victoria holds a hot dog in front of his face. He takes a bite without argument.I guess she got her way.

An impromptu handstand push-up challenge breaks out between Stokes and Fly Guy. The two men set their empty trays aside and flip into handstands, their palms pressing against the concrete sidewalks. They proceed to lower their bodies, bending at the elbows before pushing back up until their arms are extended once more. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.

The others cheer them on, counting aloud with each push-up. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. Nothing about this excursion is normal. Overeating chili cheese dogs, a grown woman feeding a grown man like a baby, and a handstand push-up competition—all in a matter of minutes.

It’s the best, and my heart sinks knowing that tomorrow is my last day here before my return flight to Florida. I’ve found my happy place amongst this group of people and, most importantly, the man at my side. I never want to leave.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell Boss about my intention of coming to live here for good. But right now, I’m going to enjoy my fourth hot dog.

CHAPTER21

BOSS

After dropping Lexi off at a post-wedding breakfast where Claire and Ben open gifts with their families, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a couple of forgotten key ingredients for the dinner I’m making for tonight.

I invited my mom and Jeannette over for supper and to meet Lexi.

This week has been absolutely perfect. I’m fucking obsessed with this girl. I never saw it coming, but man, I’ll never let her go now that I have her. Somehow, we’ve managed to avoid the topic of the future this week. Instead, we’ve simply enjoyed each other’s company without drama.

To say I needed Lexi to change sounds awful and inaccurate. I never wanted her to change, only to cut out a habit that I feared would take her from me, as it had with my brother and so many friends growing up. Lexi herself is perfect for me. She’s wild, crazy, and completely random at times—keeping me on my toes. She lives to the very sexy beat of her own drum. I love that about her. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and the connection we share is visceral. We just fit.

I can’t wait for my family to meet her tonight. I’m going to show Lexi what a Boston barbecue is like. My mom and sister are bringing the side dishes—potato salad, my mamaw’s mac and cheese, and coleslaw. I’m making the meat, barbecued brisket and ribs.

Only I realized this morning as I prepared the rub for the meat that I forgot to buy the cayenne pepper. I don’t need a lot, but enough to give one’s mouth a kick of heat after they’ve swallowed. The heat complements the sweetness of the honey that’s drizzled onto the savory meats. It’s an explosion of senses that my mamaw perfected and passed on to my mother, who has since passed the recipes on to my sister and me.

This will be the first real meal I’ve prepared for Lexi. I’ll have to cook more for her in the future as I really enjoy it, and I think I’m pretty decent. It’s just this week, I’ve wanted to spend every free minute with Lexi as I could, and takeout was faster.

I pull into my parking space and grab the small plastic bag off the front passenger’s seat before hopping out of the car.

As I approach my door, a wave of dread rolls over me. Standing against the door is a guy I’ve seen around. I don’t know much about him, but I know he’s bad news.

“Can I help you?” I snap.

“Hey, man. Just looking for Lexi. Is she around?” The dude scratches at his neck and peers at me with beady eyes.

“What do you want with Lexi?” I pull in a breath and steady myself. My predatorial instincts strong, the need to punch this guy is powerful.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” he answers in a lazy drawl.

“I think it is. What do you want with her?” I ask again, my patience wearing thin.

He shrugs his shoulders. “Just got a little delivery for her, is all.”

“What’s your name?”

“Kyle.”

“Well…Kyle. She doesn’t want anything from you. Now go.”

He eyes me speculatively with a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Oh, she does. Trust me on that.” He pushes off the door. “Hey, just tell her that if she wants to collect the goods, she needs to find me by tonight, or they’re going to the next highest bidder. And don’t worry…she knows where to find me.”

The smell of sweat and body odor assaults my senses as he walks past me.

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