Page 80 of Ozzie

We park in a long-term lot, and I assure her I’ll find a way to come back and get her car soon.

While we wait for the plane at the gate, I mull over how we’ll tell Durango that Willow is in town. She isn’t sure she is ready to see him, but I can’t have a woman living at my place without explaining it.

“Willow, we have to tell Durango you’re staying at my place.”

She curls her legs up on the chair. “Do we, though?”

I nod. “I want to date his cousin. If he thinks I movedsome random woman in, it’s the opposite of what I’m trying to accomplish.”

“You’re right. But maybe not tonight? I’d like to not see him after I’ve been traveling.”

By the time we get in, Durango will be asleep. “Okay, we’ll surprise him tomorrow.”

CHAPTER 24

Piper

Ozzie saidhe needs some time to deal with everything, but not hearing from him at all yesterday was hard. He took the day off, and since I’m still being guarded by Durango due to John the asshole, I couldn’t even try to check on him.

Although he did ask for space, and I need to respect that. But my worry melts when Ozzie walks into the office and smiles at me.

“Hey,” he says. “I have something I need to talk to you and Durango about. Can you meet me in my office?”

“Sure.”

He nods and glances down the hall.

“I’ll get Durango,” I offer.

I wander down the hall to my cousin’s office, feeling a mix of emotions. I’m happy Ozzie is here but confusedabout why he wants to talk to Durango and me at the same time. I step inside and lightly tap on the door. Durango looks up.

“Ozzie is here and wants to speak to both of us in his office. Right now. At the same time.”

Durango frowns. “Okay. I had hoped to talk to him privately first, but he hasn’t answered any of my texts.” He stands and walks to the door.

“Nor mine.”

I follow him into Ozzie’s office, closing the door behind me. We sit across from Ozzie.

“I want to apologize,” Durango starts.

Ozzie holds up his hand. “It’s fine. I understand why you were so angry. I called you both in here because I’m trying to find a way to fix all of this between us.”

“I’m not sure you can,” Durango says.

Ozzie meets Durango’s eyes. “Yesterday, I found Willow. I brought her back here to New York, and she’s at my apartment.”

I swallow back the jealousy that Ozzie went looking for an ex and has her staying at his apartment. He told us he’s trying to fix everything between us, but I can’t help thinking how this woman would be a lot easier for him to date. Hell, I might be young, but I come with the baggage of a crazed ex and an overprotective cousin.

“Why the hell did you do that?” Durango asks.

“Because it didn’t make any sense that you and I got such different versions or reactions from her. And I found out why.”

Durango leans forward in his chair. “Why?” Durango demands.

Ozzie shakes his head. “That’s not for me to tell. You need to talk to Willow. If you can get away for lunch, I’ll tell her to expect you.”

Durango stands and paces in the small space. “She’s really here? In Brooklyn?”

---