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There are framed pictures of her and Deacon all over the house, reminding me that I really need to put up some of Boss and me in our place. I haven’t changed one thing about the décor since I moved in. It’s still the uber clean bachelor pad it always was with the addition of my clothes in the closet.

Not that I really want to change the décor because I love it. But it could use some personalized touches.

“Help yourself. I made some new recipes tonight,” Cam says, showcasing the counter full of food. “You have to try those celery sticks. I know, you think celery…ew. But with the cream cheese and spices on them, oh my gosh…I can’t stop eating them!”

“Everything looks great,” Boss says. “Can’t wait to try it all.”

“Same.” I grin, still questioning where this new Cam, the one who makes more than ramen noodles, came from.

Maybe I should up my game when it comes to cooking for Boss? Yet I hate cooking, and he loves it. So no…that’s not a change I plan on making.

Cam waves her hand under a stack of games in the style of Vanna White. “What do you want to play? I can set it up while you all dish up.”

I look at Boss for his opinion.

He shrugs. “Whatever you girls decide.” He squeezes my hand before leaving me to talk to Deacon. The two pop open a couple of beers. Standing in the kitchen, they start talking about work.

“How was everything with the family today?” Cam asks, lowering her voice.

“Awful.” I shiver, making a disgusted face. “His mom brought over these gross little twin boys to, I don’t know, show me how awesome kids are?” I shake my head. “I’m not lying. I wanted to murder them.”

She throws her head back in laughter. “You are a lot of things, Alexa Laine, but a child murderer you are not.”

“Don’t be so sure. You didn’t meet the little freaks.”

“I’m glad Deacon’s mom isn’t like that. Have Boss tell her to back off. It’s a little too much, too soon.”

“I know. He’s going to. It’s fine.” I sigh. “I know she means well.”

“Sure, but it’s still a lot of pressure way too soon.” Cam reaches for a red box. “We got a new game, and it’s only for four people. So it’d probably be good to do tonight since it’s just us?”

“Works for me.”

I follow Cam to the table and sit across from her as she begins setting beige rectangular cards out onto the table in rows.

“Everything else is good with you and Boss?” Cam asks.

“The best. It’s been incredible. I can’t explain how great,” I say in all honesty.

Cam bobs her head knowingly. “I understand.” She smiles. “How crazy is it that we both end up in Chicago living with guys who are best friends?”

“It’s pretty cool,” I admit. Not too long ago, my best friend all but despised me. I’m incredibly grateful that we’ve worked through our issues. I love Cam like a sister.

“It is,” Cam supplies me with one of her warm grins, the kind that would always make me feel better growing up, regardless of the situation.

The friendship that she and I have now is one I’d always hoped we’d get back to. I hate that it took a detour, and we missed out on so much time. Yet the way it’s ending up couldn’t be better. Now that I have her and Boss in my life, everything feels complete.

CHAPTER27

BOSS

Lexi drops her suitcase and looks around her old bedroom. It hasn’t been touched since she left a couple of months ago. It’s still an eclectic mix of girly pinks and ruffles, probably added originally by her mother, and walls covered in every boy band and movie star Lexi has admired since she was ten.

“Once something made your wall, it was there to stay, huh?” I ask, setting the small roll-away luggage I brought inside her closet.

“Yeah.” She chuckles. “If I love something, I love it forever. Nothing made the wall unless it held a piece of my heart.”

“Your heart’s desires were very random.” I point at a poster of the Backstreet Boys next to one of Gordan Ramsey and quirk a brow.

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