A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

“You know what I mean.”

His smile falls. “Did you see the video?”

I nod, unable to speak as the video replays in my mind. Wren told the world he loves me, but he hasn’t told me. Maybe… Maybe that was to shut everyone up and make them feel guilty for what they said.

“Then you know everything. You know that lunch with Erica was a ruse. You know why I didn’t answer your call. And you know… how I feel. Now I’m kidnapping you until you feel the same way. It’s that simple.”

I laugh even though he’s trying to look serious. But he doesn’t crack a smile. Oh shit. He is serious.

“You can’t seriously expect me to live here. We just started dating.”

“We’ve spent weeks dating, and even longer wanting to date. I can’t sleep without you anymore. If you’re at home, I’m right beside you. This will just make it easier on me.”

His grin spreads again. “Besides,” he goes on, “Angel knows we’re together, and she really loves it.”

My stomach flutters when it sinks in that he’s definitely serious. This isn’t a joke, and I can’t believe I’m actually considering it. It’s too reckless with Angel—

“Before you start worrying about how this will affect Angel, also think of how this could be good for her,” he says, reading my damn mind. “I’ll help you make a pro/con list.”

His lips twitch when my face turns red, and I roll my eyes as he carries me through the house. I’ve only been here a couple of times, and that was just so we could be alone for a little while before joining Bella and Angel. Well, I’d been here to pick her up before, but I’m not counting those times.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, still holding me.

“Inner ramble,” I grumble, which elicits a laugh from him.

“Are you adding up the pro list? Because I’m not listening to the con list.”

He grins down at me, and I can’t stifle the stupid smile that comes across my face. “You’re serious about this? This is a big deal, Wren. I can’t move Angel into your house, then turn around and move her out. We moved here to be closer to Bella and to give her a chance to get to know you. Then we moved into a house because it took a while to find something we liked. Now we’ll be moving here. It’s the least stability she’s ever had, and I don’t want to hurt her with this.”

His expression sobers, and he bends his head to brush his lips against mine. He doesn’t deepen the kiss the way I suddenly crave, but he lets his lips linger there for a moment.

“I spent years with Erica and never felt anything like this, Allie. I’m more than sure that I want you here—both of you. And I really will tie you to the bed until you say yes. So don’t make me resort to a felony, please.”

He smirks at me as my eyes water, and I lean up, pushing my lips against his as he carries me toward the bedroom.

“Angel will—”

“Will be fine. I’ll take care of her today. You need to rest. And for the record, I had someone buy some bananas just for you.”

My face turns red, and his laughter gently rumbles as he finally takes me into the massive bedroom that belongs in a palace. Everything matches as though an interior decorator came in and did everything for him.

When he puts me on the enormous bed, his lips brush mine again, and he sits on the edge, hovering over me as his eyes hold mine.

“Rest. We’ll talk about this later. I’ll take care of Angel, and we’ll talk when you feel up to it.”

I can’t help myself when I finally break. He said that video was true, so that means he loves me. My lips move, and the words try to come out.

“Wren, this isn’t the best time to say this, but I—”

“Don’t,” he says softly, brushing his lips over mine. “Think on it for a little while. Let me prove this is a good idea before you try to say no.”

He grins down at me, and my chest tightens. That’s not what I was going to say.

“But I—”

“Later,” he interrupts, standing. He walks out, and I let my eyes search around the room. My bags are piled up at the side, and my mind runs wild.

He loves Angel. He loves me. Stupid as it is, I’m moving in with Wren Prize.

***

WREN

All of Allie’s stuff is hanging in the closet or resting in the drawers. No way am I letting her leave no matter how hard she tries. If she tries packing anything back up, I’ll just unpack it as she goes.

She stayed in the room for a couple of hours, but finally got up to hang out with Angel and me as we made everything she owns even more girly with some weird jewel thing my mother bought her. There’s also a glitter and glue kit we should have never opened—lesson learned. I’ve got glitter all over me, I swear there are little jewels everywhere on my body—how? I don’t know—and somehow I also managed to glue my fingers together… twice.