Page 48 of Uniquely in Love

Calling his homeminewas strange. It was his private sanctuary, and I was the one intruding. Which presented a whole different problem. We weren’t going to sleep together… but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t want to bring other women over. The thought soured my stomach.

Nodding my head, I turned back to my car. “Meet you there?”

He grinned, not having a clue about what had ruined my appetite. “See you there, Daisy.”

It was even laterwhen we finally got everything out of the cars and up to Owen’s penthouse freaking apartment. It had views of the Seattle skyline, and it was breathtaking. Compared to this, I’d been living in a dump. Luckily, my commute to school wouldn’t be too crazy each day, though the traffic would probably be worse now. Still, I’d make it work.

I’d already started my laundry, not wanting anything to mold if it sat too long.

“Pizza?” Owen asked, leaning against the doorframe as Ifolded another shirt, tucking it into the guest room dresser. It was a simple room with a pretty floral light blue comforter, and I was pretty sure his mom had picked it out. There were little touches of his family all over the apartment, from the white wolf statue in the living room to the family photos hung on the wall, and the collection of books on his shelves. Growing up spending so much time in the Harper house, it felt familiar.

I nodded. “Pizza sounds great.”

“Do you still like pepperoni and olive?” He ran his hands through his hair, his phone clutches in his hand.

“Of course. And some of those garlic parmesan bites?”

He chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I blew him a kiss before grabbing another shirt. “You’re the best.”

Emerging from the guest room thirty minutes later, Owen smiled at me as I slid onto a barstool, watching as he washed a glass in the sink.

“You settling in okay?”

“Yeah.” I’d changed into a pair of cozy leggings, slipper socks, and an over-sized t-shirt of my favorite singer. “Thank you again for letting me stay with you.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done.”

He shook his head. “It’s really no problem.”

“This place is nice,” I said. “It’s really you.” Looking around the kitchen, I couldn’t help but appreciate it. The size, how everything was sparkling clean, with stainless steel appliances and a quartz countertop that matched the overall vibe of the place. It was bright and open andbeautiful.

Owen’s face lit up. “You think? I mean, I’ve tried to make it feel like home, but?—”

“You did a great job.”

He grinned. “Thanks. I’ll tell my mom you think so.”

I rested my head on my hands as I watched him effortlesslymove through the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine and popping it open. We’d never drank together before the other night at the bar. It was strange to think we’d both missed each other’s twenty-first birthdays when once, we’d promised to be there for every important milestone together. It was just one more reminder of how much had changed.

“Wine?” He asked me, holding up the bottle after he uncorked it.

Was it a good idea to have a drink with my ex? No.

Did I need it after the hellish day I’d had? Yes.

Because after wrangling fourth graders for over eight hours a day, and then coming home to find my apartment under water, I needed a lot more than just one glass. But I’d limit myself, because I wasn’t sure what I’d do around Owen if I got too tipsy. I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.

Nodding, he filled a glass for me before sliding it over the countertop. I mumbled a quick “thank you” before the doorbell rang.

“That should be the pizza. Wait here. I’ll go get it.”

I nodded, sipping my wine as I stared at the screen of my phone. Soon, I needed to call my mom and fill her in on what happened. Better yet, I needed to update the rest of my family, because they were all over-protective and a little overbearing. But I guess that’s what happens when you’re the youngest cousin for the first eight years of your life.

He came back carrying all the boxes, and my eyes widened. There was definitely more food there than either of us could eat. “Hungry?”

He gave a sheepish smile. “I don’t normally eat junk during the season. But this felt like a good time to splurge.”

“Oh, so I’m just an excuse for you to gorge your face with pizza like you used to?” I teased. The smell wafting through the kitchen was enough to make me moan, but I held myself back.

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