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“And I love that so much. I want to be a part of it.”

“I want you to be a part of it.”

My heart twists a little at his words. “So I’ll fly back tomorrow. I’ll work for a few months to save money for a place, and then I’ll move up here.”

He wrinkles his brow. “A few months?”

“It will go by fast, and before you know it, I’ll be here to stay.”

“It will not go by fast at all. But I can’t wait for you to be here to stay.”

I press my lips to his. “Me either.”

“What are we going to do with our last night? Want me to make you something to eat?”

I shake my head, biting my lip. “I can eat in Florida. What I can’t do, is you.”

He slides his arm under my legs and scoops me up into his arms. As he carries me to the bedroom, he says, “That’s definitely something I can help you with.”

CHAPTER23

BOSS

It’s been a week since Lexi returned to Florida, and I miss her. She’s been working long hours at her local Costco to save money for an apartment up here.

She’s not a fan of the retail life, but I think it’s a good job for her. Once she puts in some time there, she’ll be able to transfer to the store in Chicago.

I snap out of my Lexi daze and tune into the argument taking place around me.

“It’s a fact. A hundred percent true.” Stokes waves his arms adamantly. “It’s easier to find love when you’re tall. Short men have it rough.”

“I disagree,” Tiny, the largest man in the house, says. “If that was the case, I wouldn’t be single. Plus, look at Cap.” He motions toward our five-foot-seven Captain resting in the lounge chair.

“Aw, no. Don’t bring me into this.” Cap shakes his head with a scowl.

“It is a decent argument, though,” Deacon agrees with Tiny. “I mean, Cap is all of what…five-six, and he’s been happily married for three and a half decades.”

“Five-seven!” Cap growls.

Cap is as short as he is stout, but it’s true. He has the best relationship here.

Stokes pipes in, “No. There’s always an exception to a rule.” He looks toward Cap. “And, Tiny, you aren’t single because of your height. Everywhere we go, women throw themselves at you, and you ignore them. You’re single because you’ve been pining over a girl who will never be yours!”

“Hey,” Fly Guy cuts in, raising his palms. “Let’s keep it friendly, fellas. No need to bring out anyone’s baggage.”

“She’s not baggage,” Tiny quips, “and leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with it.”

“She has everything to do with it.” Stokes shakes his head. “You’re single because you’re in love with her. End of.”

“You’re all single because you’re assholes,” Cap teases. “And your pointless discussion made me miss the last question.” He’s watching reruns ofJeopardy. The daytime TV choices can be pretty bleak.

Standing from the table, I make my way to the coffee pot for a refill. “I was clearly zoned out when this topic of conversation started, but I don’t know what you’re all arguing about. No one here is under six foot besides Cap. So it’s irrelevant.”

“Thanks, Boston,” Cap grumbles before saying, “What is a mothball?” toward the TV.

I grab the handle of the coffee pot and groan. Empty. “Where are Cinder and Snow? The coffee’s out.”

“Cleaning out the tool closet like you instructed them to do.” Deacon raises a brow.

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