Page 101 of Just The Way You Aren't

"You're a lifesaver," I tell her, taking the coffee tray so she can enter.

"I figured you'd be too busy wrangling your zoo to eat breakfast." Abby glances at the flowers on my kitchen table. "Those still look amazing. Billionaires must shop at better florists than the rest of us mere mortals."

The arrangement still dominates my small kitchen table—an explosion of sunflowers, gerbera daisies, and bird of paradise blooms in a heavy crystal vase. Damien had sent them to the Silver Hearts office earlier this week, a surprise that made me smile every time I looked at them.

"Right? They're beautiful." I set the coffee down beside the flowers. "I've never gotten anything like them before."

"I'm guessing they cost more than my monthly coffee budget," Abby says dryly, unpacking the bagels. She hands me one slathered in cream cheese. "Here. Eat. You'll need your strength for wrangling your prince charming through a weekend with your family."

I take a bite of bagel, chewing thoughtfully. "Do you think it's too much? Bringing him to meet everyone so soon?"

"Honey, he's the one who offered to come," Abby reminds me, sipping her coffee. "Besides, after that fundraiser, anyone with eyes can see you two are crazy about each other."

A rush of warmth spreads through me. It's still surreal sometimes—being with Damien, seeing the tender side of him that exists beneath all that corporate intensity.

"I just hope my family doesn't scare him off." I take another bite of bagel. "My brother Cole will definitely give him thethird degree, and my nieces and nephews are going to be everywhere."

"Please. The man runs a billion-dollar company. I think he can handle a few nosy siblings and some kids hopped up on birthday cake." Abby pauses, eyeing me with suspicion. "Is that a new dress?"

"Maybe." I feel my cheeks warm. "And I might have bought new underwear too."

"Willow Harper!" Abby's eyes widen in mock scandal. "Planning to seduce your billionaire in your parents' house?"

"No! I just..." I trail off, embarrassed. "I want to look nice for him."

Abby's expression softens. "He'd think you look beautiful in sweatpants and one of those ratty Silver Hearts t-shirts you insist on keeping."

I'm saved from responding when Spike attempts to steal my bagel, leading to a minor scuffle that ends with him receiving a small piece as a consolation prize. I glance at the clock—9:15. Damien would be here in forty-five minutes.

"I need to finish packing," I say, returning to my bedroom with Abby trailing behind.

"So, what's the sleeping arrangement at your parents' place?" she asks, perching on the edge of my bed.

I pull out my toiletry bag. "The guest room. It's tiny but has a double bed." I toss my toothbrush in, then pause. "Oh god, what if the springs squeak? The walls are paper-thin..."

"So you'll just have to be very, very quiet," Abby teases, then laughs at my horrified expression. "Relax! I'm kidding. Mostly."

"You're the worst," I tell her, but I'm laughing too as I add my hairbrush to the bag.

"I still can't believe I'm pet-sitting again. You totally oweme." Abby reaches down to scratch behind Tiny's ears. "What did you tell your family about him?"

"Just that I'm bringing someone special." I pause, considering. "Which feels true, you know? He is special."

"Look at you, all starry-eyed over the Ice King of Manhattan." Abby's tone is teasing, but her smile is genuine. "I've got to admit, I didn't see this coming when he first showed up at Silver Hearts."

"Me neither." I hold up two different pairs of sandals, silently asking her opinion. She points to the nicer ones, and I nod in agreement. "But he's different now. Or maybe he was always different and I just didn't see it."

"Either way, I'm happy for you." Abby takes a sip of her coffee. "Even if I am sacrificing my Saturday night to babysit your menagerie."

"I brought you coffee and arranged for pizza delivery money to be left on the counter. Plus, I stocked the fridge with that fancy kombucha you like." I toss the sandals into my bag, then frown when I realize Mingo is still curled up on my neatly folded clothes, now completely rumpled.

"Mingo, you monster," I sigh, shooing her out of the bag. As I begin refolding my clothes, my phone rings on the nightstand. The screen displays Damien's name, and my heart does a little skip.

"Oooh, it's lover boy," Abby teases. "I'll give you some privacy." She retreats to the living room, closing the bedroom door behind her.

I take a quick glance in the mirror, a habit I've developed since Damien and I started doing video calls. My hair is down in loose waves, and the minimal makeup I've applied looks fresh. Satisfied, I answer with a smile in my voice.

"Hey you. Are you outside already?"

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