Layer by Layer (Riggings Brothers 1)

I’m going to marry her.

I just need to tell her that I love her first, and then buy the ring. Small details for a love like ours. I see it in the way she looks at me. She loves me. I can feel it in my bones. I’ve whispered it to her a few times when I knew she was asleep, but I wanted to give it time. To say that I was jaded by my divorce is an understatement. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t the newness of having a female companion that actually wanted me that was making me feel this way.

It’s not.

It’s all Sawyer and the way she makes my heart pound in my chest just by entering a room. She’s pretty much staying at my place all the time now. Her toiletries are on the counter in my bathroom, and her clothes hang beside mine in the closet. I don’t hate it. No, I love it, and I want it to be permanent. I have a plan. I just need to set it in motion.

“Hey,” she says from the doorway of my office. “Hadley and Derek invited us over to see their new place on Saturday.”

Shit. “I told Owen I’d help him at his place on Saturday.” I didn’t know about the invitation, but I did already make plans with my brother. “You should go, though. I know you’ve been wanting to see it.”

“Are you sure? I hate to go without you.”

Just another reason she’s nothing like my ex. Jennifer wouldn’t have even extended the invitation to me. She would have simply told me where she was going to be. Even then, I’m not certain she would have been telling the truth.

“Of course, I’m sure. She’s your best friend. We can meet back at my place that night.” She nods, but I can tell she’s not thrilled with the idea. “Come here.” I move back from my desk, pushing my laptop back and patting for her to sit. She doesn’t hesitate to shut my office door and come to me. “Tell me,” I say once she’s perched on my desk.

“It’s silly.”

“No, it’s not. Not if it’s how you feel. Tell me.”

“I just— I wanted you to be there.”

“I’m sorry, babe. I don’t want to cancel on Owen.” It’s not a complete lie, but it’s not Owen’s plans I’d be canceling. I think about moving the date, but I don’t want to. I want to proceed with my plan. I don’t want to wait any longer. I’ll make it up to her. “I’ll make it up to you. Maybe we can invite them over next weekend?”

“But you won’t get to see their place.”

“Babe, she’s your best friend. That’s not going to change.” Reaching up, I palm her face with my hands.

“I know,” she sighs. “I’m being selfish, and I’ve just gotten used to it being us, you know?”

“I do know, and I’ll miss you,” I say, kissing her softly.

“Dinner at my place after,” I suggest. “Invite them,” I say, hoping that will make up for me missing lunch at their place.

“You sure?”

“Yes. In fact, why don’t you recruit them to help you move in?” I toss it out there.

“What?” she asks, surprised.

“I want you to move in with me. I want to be with you every second of every day.”

“I—” she starts, but closes her mouth, making me chuckle.

“Think about it, Sawyer. You don’t have to decide this minute.”

She nods just as there’s a knock at my door. “Come in,” I call out, not bothering to give Sawyer time to move. Anyone who is on this floor knows that this is more than likely what they’re going to find if she’s not at her desk.

“You decent?” Owen asks.

“Barely,” I say as Sawyer smacks my shoulder, causing Owen and I both to laugh.

“We still on for tomorrow?” he asks. His calm demeanor gives nothing away.

“Yes.” This couldn’t have worked out better.

He nods. “Sounds good. I’m heading out for the day. Jase has some numbers he wants me to look over.”

“Bye.” Sawyer waves at him.

“I guess I should get back to work,” she says.

“Let’s just head home. It’s four. We’ve worked enough hours this week.”

“Royce,” she sighs. This is a constant battle with us, me needing her to myself and leaving work early. I’ve cut my hours since she came into my life, yet the work is still getting done. I know that I would look over reports that I’d already analyzed just to avoid going home to an empty house. That’s no longer me. I can’t wait to wrap up what has to be done and go home with her. It’s all Sawyer.

“Go finish up whatever you need to. Let me know when you’re ready.” I kiss her one more time before she hops off my desk and walks out of my office. Grabbing my phone, I text Owen.