“You’re really going to live with my brother?”
She laughed, adjusting her glasses. “Yep. He was right. He’s always at my house, and you need somewhere comfortable to call home. You’re not ready to move in with Noah, and your parents’ house isn’t it. Plus, he’s your brother, so you can do what the hell you like to the place and he won’t be mad. Win, win.”
“Thank God,” I said, getting up. “Because his kitchen is old.”
“Yeah, I already told him that. There are links saved on my laptop for you.” She grinned. “Let’s go get the remote, or we’ll end up watching some kind of sports again.”
I shuddered. “I’ll be there in a second. I’m just going to let Poosh out.”
“’Kay.”
I put down my glass and patted my leg for Poosh to follow me. I opened the back door to Noah’s spacious yard, and she darted out between my legs. It was a warm evening, so I stepped out after her.
The sun was fading, painting the sky in beautiful shades of blue and orange, and the fresh, clear air wrapped around me like a blanket.
It’d been the craziest several weeks. From the moment Noah texted me that dick pic to right now. I’d lost almost everything in the fire, but ever since then, I’d gained so much more.
I couldn’t help but think back to lying in the hospital bed. I was lucky to escape the way I had with no injuries. The only loss was financial and material, and both of those things could be replaced.
Back then, I’d had no idea that the tattooed, handsome guy who’d saved my life was the guy I’d been talking to for a week. I’d scoffed at Ava for saying it was all fate and destiny or whatever else it was she’d said, but if my apartment building hadn’t gone up in flames, I may never have met Noah.
I’d never have had a reason to.
I lost my home, sure. But in losing it, I’d gained so, so much more.
Noah stepped up behind me and wrapped me in his arms. “Thinking?”
I nodded, leaning back into him. “Thinking about how much everything has changed.”
“Yeah.” He kissed the side of my jaw. “Who knew an accidental dick pic could end up like this?”
Not me.
Definitely not me.
EPILOGUE – REAGAN
Make Way For The Drama Llama
One Month Later
Ava paced.
Over and over and over.
She was giving me a goddamn headache.
“If you don’t stop, you’re going to slip on the floor,” I said. “Mind those water patches leaking out from under the flowers.”
Halley shook her head as she put a lily into the arrangement she was working on. “Leave her be. She might knock herself out and give us a break.”
A strangled noise left Ava’s mouth, and she fisted her dark hair. “I’m an idiot. Why did I say yes to this?”
“Because you’re hopelessly in love with Ethan and maybe living together will be the key?” I asked sarcastically.
“Funny!” she snapped back. “This is a nightmare. We don’t even get along. We can’t live together!”
“But you are,” Halley said. “As of next week, he will be your roommate. You will be living with your brother’s best friend, who you happy to be totally in love with.”
“You say it like it’s a fucking fairytale.”
I wiggled my fingers at her. “Maybe it’s destiny,” I said in a breathy voice.
Ava flipped me the bird. On both hands. “This isn’t a joke, you guys. This is a real thing. This is terrifying. Why did you let me say yes?”
“There’s that little thing of neither of us knowing Leo had asked you if Ethan could take your spare room,” I reminded her. “You answered before you told us.”
Halley nodded. “Besides, it’s not the end of the world, is it? You said a couple of weeks ago that you needed a roommate because your rent is going up. Even if he’s only there through the holidays, it’ll help you out some.”
Ava groaned and slumped over on the counter, finally stopping with her pacing. “This is going to go horribly.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe? I have feelings for this guy. How am I supposed to just switch them off like it doesn’t matter?” She raised her head and looked at us both. “I’m gonna have to tell him I changed my mind.”
“No!” Me and Halley both said together. “No,” Halley repeated. “Think about it like this. You can live with him for a few months. Ethan and Leo never stay long when they come back to Creek Falls, right? So you know it’s not forever. It’ll be fine.”