Page 19 of Micah

“Okay, I’m lost.” Henry grumbles, as though agreeing.

“A covenant change requires fifty-one percent of the neighborhood to sign off on it to be approved. Ruby was the lastone I needed, but she wanted to see it for herself before she was willing to sign.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I was going to wait until I officially filed the paperwork, but I suppose I’ve tortured you enough,” Micah says, just playful and teasing enough to annoy me. It hits me that I secretly love it. He presses a kiss to my temple before standing. “C’mon, you two.”

“Wait, why is Henry here?” I ask. “Did you get another day with him?”

“You really know how to spoil surprises, don’t you?” That lopsided grin is proof enough that he’s completely teasing. There is no tension. No annoyance. No fighting.

Maybe we can go the distance. Because yeah, I didn’t fall out of love with the man in the last few minutes of misunderstanding. If anything, I’ve fallen harder despite not having a damn clue what this surprise is he’s talking about. It’s why I accept his offered hand and follow him through the house, to the foot of the second floor staircase.

“We’re not getting a third roommate,” he says.

“We’re not?” I’m both relieved but also slightly panicked. An increase in rent would mean more shifts at the bakery and even longer before I can rent a photography studio downtown.

“Go on,” he says, nodding upstairs.

Only the first two steps are hesitant, as though he might change his mind and yank me back. After that, I rush all the way to the top, eager as a kid on Christmas to see what he’s been hiding.

But when I see it for the first time, I’m not prepared for the shock. Luckily, Micah’s there to catch me before I can fall back down the flight of stairs.

The space is open—are there walls missing?—and inviting. The walls are painted my favorite periwinkle blue. There’s furniture staged throughout, just the way I’ve always picturedwhen I dared to daydream about turning the second floor into my own studio.

Then, I notice the framed prints all over the walls.

Myprints.

“If you don’t like something, we can change it,” Micah says, his breath tickling my ear from behind. I’m so fucking glad he’s standing behind me, because I’m not sure I could stand on my own two feet right now. The shock is overwhelming.

“You did this?” I turn into his arms. “Forme?”

“It’s always been you, Avery.” He cups my cheek. “Only you.”

“You really mean that.” It’s no longer a question, but a statement. All this time, I’ve been holding back out of fear of losing the most important person in my life. I vow in this moment to never waste another second holding back from this love I feel for him.

“Micah, I lo?—

The click-clack of claws on the stairs alerts us to Henry’s presence. His tail wags lazy and wide as he plops down at our feet. “You haven’t explained this part of the surprise yet,” I say to Micah.

“He’s ours.”

“What?”

“I signed the adoption paperwork this morning. So now we’re a package deal.”

“So I can only have Henry if I’m willing to take you, too?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Wow, that’s a tough call.”

“Avery Flanders,” Micah says in a mock scolding tone.

“You know I’m not giving up Henry,” I continue to tease him, enjoying the way his blue eyes twinkle as they stare into mine. “So…”

“So?”

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