Page 53 of Short Stack 3

“I love you, and I want you to move in with me,” he says, his ears turning red.

“Oh,babe.” I move towards him, dropping Brian’s legs without a second thought. He lands with a thud as Darcy lets go of his shoulders simultaneously, but we don’t pay any attention.

He takes a deep breath. “I love you so much, Freddie. I don’t want to live apart anymore. I want you in our bed every night and to see your face every morning. It’s my favourite face in the whole world.” He tangles his fingers in my hair and pulls me to him, dropping a kiss on my forehead that warms me all the way through. “There’s that gorgeous smile,” he says fondly. He pulls back. “Well?”

“OfcourseI want that. I’d love nothing more than to live with you.” He shudders in relief and wraps me in a big hug. “Did you actually think I’d say no?” I say incredulously.

“I never know what you’ll say next. It’s part of your charm.”

“Well, you should have known this. I love you, Darcy. You’re the most important person in my world and always will be. Being together is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. What could be better than being lovers and best friends when it’s with you?”

He kisses me then, and I smile into it, feeling the warmth and joy ease through my body. My Darcy has powerful magic in himbecause just being with him calms and soothes me while making my whole body tingle.

We pull apart and smile helplessly at each other.

“You’re moving in,” he says, and I nod.

“I certainly am.”

“Why is Brian on the floor?” Milly’s voice makes us jump apart, and she rolls her eyes. “You don’t need a plaque prize. You need a course in time-management skills. It’s taken you ten minutes to get down this corridor in between snogging.”

We pick Brian back up and resume our faltering progress down the corridor. “We had important things to discuss,” I say.

She paces at our side, her skirts swishing. “Well, the good news is that Brian’s wife is on her way back to take charge of him,” she says. I grin widely at her, and her eyes narrow. “What things were you discussing?”

“We’re moving in together.”

“You’re moving out of my spare room?”

“Oh, do you mind?” I ask, suddenly worried. Milly is one of my best friends, and I adore her.

She snorts, and I relax. “Not even a millimetre of my body is bothered, Freddie. Julia can move in, and she’s single.”

“Well, I’m sorry you’ll havesucha hard time replacing me.”

“You’re the worst wingman since Fred Noonan.”

“I’m a very good wingman.”

“Telling my potential bedmates about how long Darcy’s eyelashes are isn’t a pulling technique.”

“You like my eyelashes?” Darcy asks, a smile tugging at his lips.

“I like every part of you.” I wink. “Some parts more than others.”

“Please issue me with earmuffs,” Milly mutters.

“They might suit you more than that bonnet.” I give a sigh of relief as we get to the door of Brian’s room. “Thank god we’re here.”

I drop Brian’s feet, and Darcy shoves him against the door of his room while fumbling for the key he took off Brian earlier.

We let ourselves in and stumble across the room before dumping him on the bed. He snores loudly and rolls onto his side, clutching his pillow.

“Aww, he looks almost sweet,” Milly says.

“You’re far too easily impressed.” I look around. “Where’s the bin? We need it for vomit patrol.” We all look but can’t see it anywhere. Finally, I put my hands on my hips. “What sort of hotel is this? Where do we put the rubbish?”

“They’re probably wise to the vomit manoeuvre,” Darcy offers. “What shall we use instead?”

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