Page 57 of Heart Strain

Pulling him into another quick hug, I kiss his cheek before turning around to Jameson, who’s standing back, looking uncomfortable. “You guys remember each other, right?”

“Of course,” Gav says. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Hair Gra—”

I slap my hand over Gav’s mouth to shut him up, and I growl out, “I will murder you.” He begins laughing, and when he licks my palm, I pull my hand away and cringe. “What is wrong with you?”

He laughs harder and pats my shoulder, then walks over to his car to grab his suitcase, so I head over to Jameson.

He looks upset about something, so I step into his side, put my arm behind his back, and quietly ask, “What’s wrong?”

He shakes his head. “I’m fine, but… do you need me to go home so you can spend time with him or something?”

“What? No. Don’t be ridiculous. We haven’t even had dinner yet. Let’s just take Gav back to your house since the animals are there and we can order in.” His face is unreadable, so I ask, “Is that okay?”

He stares over at Gavin for a few seconds, then turns to me and steps closer, cupping my cheek and brushing his lips against mine. I’ll never get sick of his sweet kisses. He runs his thumb along my jaw and whispers, “Of course it’s fine. I want you to come home, anyway—I mean to my home.”

I grin at him, peck his lips, then move away to help Gav grab his crap out of the car and haul it inside. Once we’re all in there, Gav looks around and asks, “Where’s Peanut?”

“Oh, he’s still at Jameson’s. He’s been staying there with his cats while we’re at the hospital.”

Gav’s eyebrows go up a little. “Right. I think you mentioned that. I didn’t know you were doing that every day.”

I shrug, and Jameson says, “Peanut seems at home there and he gets along with my cats well, so we figured it’d be better than him being here by himself.”

Gavin eyes Jameson for a moment, then shoots him a small smile. “That’s good your animals like each other. Sometimes cats are assholes.”

I snort out a laugh. “True, but Foxy’s kittens are really sweet. Are you hungry, Gav?”

“I could eat.”

I frown at him because he’s normally starving, even ten minutes after we eat. “Let’s go back to Jameson’s and order in. Unless you guys would rather go out? We could go somewhere after we stop by to let Peanut out.”

“I’m fine with whatever,” Gav says, then eyes me. “Am I messing up your plans?”

I walk over and pull him into a side-hug. “You’re not, but even if you were, we wouldn’t care because you’re here, and it’s awesome.”

He smiles a little.

I say to Jameson, “What do you think? Home or out?”

Jameson’s eyes snap to mine and he holds me in his gaze for a few seconds before whispering, “Home.”

I search his eyes, then nod with a small smile. “Perfect. Let’s go.”

Once all Gav’s stuff is all set, we climb into Jameson’s car and head over. I’m so excited my best friend is here. Two of my favorite people are here with me. If we could get Drix out of the hospital, I’d have all my favorite people in one place.

Peanut is so excited when we walk in that he whines and tries to climb up Gavin’s body. Gav squats down with a laugh and hugs and pets him as I scoop up Nala to kiss her on the head. When I look at Jameson, he already has Simba in his arms, so I grin at him, but the smile he gives me back looks off.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he says, but he glances at Gavin.

I frown, then say, “What do you want for dinner?”

“Let’s order a pizza.”

We get settled in Jameson’s living room, and I take the opportunity to lean against Jameson and soak up his warmth. He doesn’t seem to mind; in fact, he pulls me closer and keeps pressing small kisses to my hair and temple while we talk to Gavin.

Sitting there with them makes me realize how much I’ve missed my best friend. It makes me wish I could bring him here with me since I can’t go back with him.

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