Page 120 of Uniquely in Love

“Alright. Well, let me talk to my boyfriend and I’ll let you know.”

“Is that the young man who helped you move out? The hockey player?”

I nodded, like he could see me. “Um, yes. That’s the one.” I blushed. Back then, we’d been struggling to navigate our friendship. But all along, that attraction had been there, simmering. It was a miracle we’d kept our hands off of each other for as long as we had.

After letting me know some other information about theapartment and saying our goodbyes, I hung up, finding my way over to a bench. I needed a minute to process everything.

God, it fucking sucked that I couldn’t talk to Owen. He had a game tonight, though, and I knew how important his routine was before games. If I brought it up, would it ruin his game? There was no way I could do that to him. Being a distraction was what I’d been scared of years ago, and here I was.

I loved him so much that I couldn’t do that to him.

He’d be home tomorrow. I’d bring it up then.

Zamboni put her paws onto my knees and pushed her nose into my lap. I scratched at her head. “You’re such a good girl, Zambi. Mommy loves you very much.” Kissing her snout, I thought about what it would be like if I moved out.

Not seeing my puppy every day? Not seeing Owen the second I got home from work, or when he got back from an away game? I hated that idea.

I’d call my landlord back and tell him I wasn’t going to be moving back in and break the lease as soon as I talked to Owen about it.

As soon as I made sure that he wanted me to stay.

“Ellie!”Penny’s voice shouted, and then I was engulfed in a hug from my ginger-haired best friend, who was wearing a yellow sweater dress that hugged all of her curves.

“God, I missed you so much,” I said, tightening my arms around her back.

“Never leave me for that long again,” she groaned.

I laughed. “I’ll try not to. You can come up too, you know.” Penelope and I had spent the last twenty-something years of our lives hardly spending any time without the other. We were only nine months apart, and since we’d startedschool together and gone to college together, moving away from her had been weird.

“I know, I know. It’s just a lot back home, and I’ve been working at the coffee shop a lot, and?—”

A few moments later, the door opened, and everything else faded away as Owen came into view. My grin was so wide, there was no hiding it. He’d gotten in this morning when I’d still been sleeping, and slid into the covers, pulling me against his hard, warm body. Neither one of us had gone back to sleep, instead indulging ourselves in each other’s bodies—twice—before we finally got up and showered. And now the Harpers were here.

He’d carried in two suitcases, and I was pretty sure one of them was his sister’s. Owen had always been good like that, making sure his younger sister didn’t have to do any heavy lifting. Though he was the same with me, too. It was a wonder I’d only realized in high school he liked me when I thought about all the things he’d done for me growing up.

Matthew and Noelle entered behind their son, their faces lighting up as they saw me. My eyes watered, seeing two of the people I’d grown up with, that I considered my family because theywere.

“Hi.” I sniffled. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Oh, Ellie.” My Aunt Noelle wrapped me up in a hug. “We’ve missed you.”

“Me too,” I whispered. “I’m glad you could make the trip.”

She nodded. “We always try to come visit Owen for Thanksgiving. We just had to wait until Matthew finished his last class before we could head up.”

“And who’s this?” Uncle Matthew said, crouching down in front of Zamboni, who had been running between everyone, licking and trying to find someone to pet her. Our cute little golden girl was a bit of an attention whore. She was the same way whenever Owen’s teammates came over, wiggling her wayacross whoever was sitting on the couch, determined to lick everyone’s faces.

“That’s Zamboni,” Owen said, pulling me in closer to him and kissing my forehead. He looked proud, like the golden retriever at our feet was our kid. “She’s ours.”

Of course, he knew that. I knew Owen talked to his parents regularly, and we’d sent it in the group chat, so I knew he was aware we’d gotten a dog.

Well, that Owen got a dog. Technically, she wasn’t mine. But every time we laid together on the couch, watching Owen’s away games on the TV, she certainly felt like she was.

His dad chuckled, pretending to shake Zambi’s paw. “It’s very nice to meet you, Zamboni.” He stood back up, wrapping his arms around his wife. Even all these years later, it was clear how very much in love the two of them were.

I hoped that was us some day, too. Still in love even after two kids and a whole life together.

“Well, we were thinking maybe we could go out to dinner tonight?” I looked over at Owen, who nodded his agreement. Tomorrow night, we had his game, which I was looking forward to. It was the first time since high school that all four of us would be in the stands for him. And then Thanksgiving day, we’d be cooking here.

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