Page 274 of Come Back to Me

“You look tired,” Dad chides, bringing me back into the conversation with a bang.

“I’m not. I’m sleeping well.”

It’s no lie. Having a real-life teddy bear is great for catching the Zs. I always used to lie awake thinking about how the world would end or how Pluto got shafted by NASA and why the tourmaline pendant I kept charged on my windowsill wasn’tabating my fear of spiders. Now, Cody has a soon-to-be patented method of distraction.

The best part is he sleeps too.

Yes, a part of that is his schedule. He’s been hella busy with the sanctuary’s guests being sent across the country, one even heading to Ireland thanks to her mother being a natural-born citizen. But I know orgasms and me are helping him rest too.

“Yesterday was Cole’s wedding, so that’s why I might appear more tired than usual.”

“Did it go well?”

“Yes, it was lovely.”

And it was.

(If you weren’t a moron who couldn’t even tell the man you love you’re ready for your mom and Pigeon Creek to know you’re dating without making him think you were breaking up.Honestly.)

Right on cue, he sends me a message.

My heart sinks.

Cody: We need to talk.

“Mom tells me you’re flying out today. Some interview or other?”

I shove my phone into my pocket. “Toronto, yep! It’s the start of fashion week.”

“Zee going, or is she with that husband of hers?” he inquires.

“Just Zee and me. I’ll do her hair and makeup for the interview.”

“It’s not for a job?”

“It’s a magazine interview, Daddy.”

His brows lift. “She wantsyouto do her hair and makeup for a magazine interview… Since when were you good at thosethings? Remember that time when you thought eyelashes were supposed to look like bugs?”

“Hey! I grew out of that phase and learned the importance of micellar water. Anyway, Zee relaxes more when I help her and she hates doing this stuff, so it’s all for the greater good. But that’s why I’m here early. I wanted to catch breakfast with Mom and Nonna before we leave.”

He steps into the kitchen. “Do you... work for her, then?”

I snort. “No, but it’s the least I can do because A: she’s my best friend in the universe, and B: they’re letting me live there for free.”

Though he sticks his head in the refrigerator, I still hear his sigh.

That one susurration has me bracing myself for impact.

This is the last thing I need today of all days.

“How long are you intending on staying there?”

“For as long as they’ll have me.”

“And when will that be? Are they going to throw you out of their house?”

“I doubt it.”

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