Page 13 of Craving Francesca

“I think that’s fair,” I joked. “I can’t believe you guys moved us.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Brody said, shoving me toward the doorway once it was clear. “There were like ten of us here for a while. Thanks for having all your shit packed in advance. Helped move things along.”

“That’s why Myla was up my ass about packing.”

“Probably,” Brody agreed.

“I wasnotup your ass,” Myla argued as we reached the kitchen. “But you always procrastinate.”

“Hey, man,” I argued. “It works for me.”

“Well, aren’t you glad you listened to me for once?” she asked cheekily.

“Can you believe this shit?” I asked Lou as I pulled Myla into a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome,” Myla whispered back.

“I’m just grateful that I repacked my suitcase last night, and my underwear wasn’t hanging out all over the room when they came in,” Lou joked. “That could’ve been embarrassing.”

“Yeah, because you’resomessy.”

“I feel like I won the lottery,” Lou said, grinning. “I moved two boxes. That’s it.”

“We owe them,” I said, glancing toward the living room.

“You can pay us back for the pizza and beer,” Myla said easily. “That’s all they asked for.”

“I paid for the pizza and beer,” Cian countered. “And neither of you are paying me back.”

“I think we can afford pizza and beer,” I argued.

“Still not takin’ your money.”

“We’ll see,” I mumbled as I dropped into a kitchen chair.

“Oh, I threw your bedding in the wash this morning,” Myla said, setting a beer in front of me. “It’s in a garbage bag in your new closet.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but it’s nice to climb into clean sheets. You guys won’t have your washer and dryer for a few more days, right?”

“It’s being delivered on Tues—shit.” I squeezed my eyes closed in frustration. I’d just told Scott I was free that day.

“That’s only four days away,” Lou reminded me. “I think we can make it four days.”

“I know.” Lifting the beer to my lips, I took a long pull. “But I completely forgot they were getting here on Tuesday, and I made other plans.”

“What other plans?” Myla asked curiously.

“A date.”

“With who?”

“A guy from work.”

Lou wrinkled her nose. “Who? I think I’ve met everyone you work with.”

“Not Scott.”

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