Page 36 of Dirty Secret Love

I begin to walk away from the living room, wondering if there are books anywhere else because I don’t think those are the only ones I have. Oh please, tell me they didn’t take them to the library. I’m trying not to look anxious, but I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate soon.

My breathing begins to slow when I notice there are more bookcases throughout the house, including the spare room that now has a sleek, walnut desk taking center stage, its surface uncluttered, almost inviting me to write or read. I could buy myself a new computer and work from home more often.

“This isn’t what I expected,” I admit, my voice tinged with awe and mild apprehension.

He chuckles, leaning casually against one of the bookcases. “Which part? The extra bookcases or the office space?”

“Both,” I admit, my fingers dancing lightly over the cool surface of the new furniture. Now that I’m close, I can see that the desk itself is a work of art, richly polished with ornate carvings of flowers and vines on its legs. It’s both functional and elegant, the kind of furniture piece that makes a statement without screaming for attention—my favorite.

Anyone would think that my besties were highly involved in this operation and I’m grateful for all of them.

River pushes himself off the bookcase and strolls over to me. “In my defense, you really needed more space for these books, and that desk—come on, it was begging to be used by you.”

“How involved were you in the remodel of my place?” I ask, because this seems like a lot of work.

“Briefly. I told them my vision, they added your vision and . . . well, here’s the result.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, trying to suppress a smile. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

He grins. “Only when it comes to impressing a certain someone.”

Rolling my eyes, I quip, “Is that so? And who might that be?”

He takes another step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Well, I was hoping she’d be standing right in front of me.”

Despite myself, I feel a blush creeping up my neck. “Smooth talker,” I accuse playfully. “You don’t have to pretend when we’re alone, you know.”

He really shouldn’t because I might break a rule myself—not falling in love with him.

He shrugs with a smirk. “I have to stay in character. You don’t want me to fail in front of your parents, do you?”

I let out a mock sigh, feigning exasperation. “So, aside from making unsolicited home improvements, any other surprises I should know about?”

River winks. “Now, where would the fun be in that?”

“I’ll be prepared,” I say, sitting in the beautiful ergonomic chair. This might be my new favorite place.

“That’s not how surprises work, darling.”

I glare at him, and he just smiles.

When I get ready to leave the office, my heart suddenly stops. If my parents come over, they’re going to realize that he doesn’t sleep in the spare room.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, alarmed.

“My parents,” I mumble, chewing on my lower lip.

“What about them?”

“It’s just that—” I start, my words hanging heavily in the air. “They have this uncanny knack for dropping in unexpectedly.”

He chuckles softly. “It’ll be perfectly fine. They won’t come here to check.”

I give him a skeptical look. “You clearly don’t know the Ashers.”

His grin widens as he dangles a key in front of me. “We’re going to lock it. I really don’t think they’d resort to picking locks just to catch us in a lie, do you?”

I can’t help but laugh and sigh with relief. “You think of everything.”

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