Page 31 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“So you know where the bathroom is, do you?” She smirks.

“I lived here before she did.” He shakes his head, biting back a smile.

“You did?” I turn to face him.

“Uh, yeah for a few months when we first bought it. You know me, I’m all work so I figured it would be better to stay here.” He shrugs.

“Figures.” I laughed.

“Once she’s done you should change too and then I’ll grab my gym bag downstairs.” He shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Okay.” I stand up from the couch and walk until I’m standing in front of him. He looks down at me with a smile.

“We are going to get through this.” He whispers.

“With you by my side, I can get through anything life throws at me.” I stand up on my tippy-toes and kiss him hard.

“Oh my god, finally.” Kelly claps her hands when she comes out of the bedroom. I laugh against Lio’s lips.

“Finally,” Lio whispers against my lips, and I smile. Finally.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lio

I check the cameras for a third time before we leave just to be sure. I appreciate Kelly coming here to warn us but it puts me even more at unease. I can only do so much to protect Charlie and it’s eating me alive that I might not be able to keep her safe.

“We better get going, you know how Bradly hates it when people are late.” Charlie squeezes my arm.

“And you know he hates it when you call him Bradly.” I kiss her temple.

“So is this Bradly hot?” Kelly winks as she opens the door. I roll my eyes and Charlie laughs.

“Oh, yes.” Charlie answers.

“Oh he is, is he?” I tickle her side, making her jump and rush out the door.

“Well in that case I am excited to work out for the first time in my life.” Kelly laughs as we follow her down the stairs.

We make it to the gym with a few minutes to spare and by Brad's disapproving glare when we come in I can tell he’s in a mood.

“Hey, we're not late.” Charlie smiles at him.

“I know.” He groans out before walking up to us.

“Hi, I’m Kelly.” Kelly steps out from behind me and smiles at him. His face changes from a glare to a look I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

“Oh, hi. I’m-I’m Brad.” He stammers over his words.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Kelly smiles and reaches out her hand to him. He shakes it and then turns around. I have never seen him nervous before.

“Let’s do this.” He waves us to follow him.

“He is so hot.” Kelly whispers to Charlie.

“If I heard that, then he probably did too.” I laugh.

“Good, a man that looks like that should know how hot he is.” She bites her lip and Brad coughs.

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