Page 69 of Burn It Down

“Everything okay?” I ask, stopping at the front of the car and turning to look at him.

“Yes. Of course. I was just thinking maybe we could go to my house. All three of us. I have a guest room Elijah could sleep in, and if you think it’s too soon, I totally understand. I’ll follow you’re le?—”

That’s all I let him get out before slamming my mouth against his and kissing him hard. Bowen groans when he walks around to his side of the car. “I just ate.”

I lift my hand up in the air, my middle finger raised in my brother’s direction, but couldn’t care less.

“I’d love to do that. You sure you don’t mind?”

“Getting to sleep with my boyfriend in the same bed all night? No, I don’t mind at all,” he says playfully, and I smile, kissing his cold nose.

“Let’s stop by my house and grab some stuff, then I’d love nothing more.”

We let Bowen know our plan as soon as we get into the car, and he’s just grinning like a fool back there—like he knows something we don’t.

Whatever it is, it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that tonight, I’m going to have the best of both worlds—closer to happiness than I’ve ever been in my life.

It’s beena week since we celebrated Christmas with my family, and Elijah and I have stayed the night with Spencer every night I’ve had off so far. He brought his PlayStation the last time, so he’s fully entertained here, not to mention Spencer has quite a book collection, which started when he was about Elijah’s age, so there’s plenty for him to do.

I’m glad Elijah doesn’t seem to mind being here because I can’t get enough of Spencer. “What are you doing?”

He wraps around me as I lie on my side on his bed. It’s still fairly early, but I’m sure Elijah will be up any moment. I roll onto my back and hand him my phone. “Looking for a place to live.”

He takes my phone and swipes through the few houses in the area that are up for sale and in my budget. Nothing is screaming at me, but I can’t stay with Bowen forever. Though it is nice having his help—it’s really not fair to him. I’m sure he’s ready to get back to his bachelor life, and I’m ready to have a bed of my own instead of the couch.

Spencer is frowning as he looks at my phone, but I can’t really decipher what he’s thinking. So, I do the adult thing—the relationship thing—and I ask, “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” he says, handing my phone back to me. “They’re nice.”

I snort and shake my head. “No. They aren’t.” I put my phone down and then roll his body under mine. “Tell me.”

I brace my weight on my hands and look down at him, his beautiful eyes look too unsure for my liking. “Well, I do have a house...”

I laugh. “Is that what this place is?” I joke, and he shoves my shoulder playfully, nearly making me collapse on top of him, but I catch myself.

“I just mean, it’s a three-bedroom, and Elijah could have his own room, and I mean...” My stomach flutters with excitement because is he suggesting what I think he is? I’d thought about it but figured it was moving too fast. For him. Not for me. I think I’d have moved in with him the second we said I love you. Because after that, that was it for me. “You could even have your own room too, if you’re not really ready for...” He clears his throat, his cheeks actually going a little pink.Holy shit, he’s cute as hell.He doesn’t finish his sentence. “It beats the couch.”

“I mean, that would be great.” I can’t tell if he looks happy or disappointed, and I lean a little more weight onto him, my lips brushing over his. “Or you know, we could share this room...” I look around the neatly decorated room. “I do like this bed.”

“Just the bed?” he asks with a teasing glint.

“I suppose the guy is pretty great too.”

“You really want to move in with me?” He sounds so uncertain, and I hate that for him. Spencer is a catch. I feel like I’ve hit the lottery, falling in love with him, but I don’t think he knows just how incredible he is.

Yet.

Because I plan to spend the rest of my life showing him.

“I do. Are you okay with it? Because if it’s too soon, I understand that.” Even though I know this is endgame for me. He’s all I’ll ever want. If he’s not ready for that just yet, I’m happy to wait.

“No, I do. For sure. As long as Elijah wants that too. You never have to choose between your son and me.”

I smile as he places his hand over my heart because I know that already. I never really thought much about dating after Megan died. My only priority was Elijah, and I didn’t want to mess with dating—trying to introduce my son to someone new. The whole thought of that seemed exhausting, but everything just fell into place with Spencer.

“I’m pretty sure he likes you even more than he likes me at this point,” I say, and he laughs.

“Well, the principal has my back, and so does Janelle.” He had a meeting with the principal at his school last week and said it went really well—that she told him he has her full support and to let her know if anyone gives him trouble. He actually said it was a little anticlimactic, which we had a pretty big laugh about.

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