Page 33 of Tempting-

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"You can stay as long as you want."

"Yeah?" Her fingers skim my wrist. "That won't get in the way of your... relationships?"

"My what?" I arch a brow.

"You used todatea lot. Not as much lately."

Not for the last few months, give or take. Not since she found her way into my brain.

"I wouldn't want you to feel... deprived."

"Deprived?"

"You know what I mean." There's this tone to her voice. One I can't place. "You're a young guy. Prime of your life. I'm sure you want to be having fun."

"You saying Ikea isn't fun?"

"I don't know. We aren't there yet." She leans back in her seat. "Do you still date?"

"Why?"

"Don't friends talk about this kind of thing?"

Yeah, technically. Dean and Walker brag about their conquests. Ryan... well, everyone knows where Ryan stands. "Do you date?"

"Sometimes. You know Em and her double dates. You?"

I can't tell her it's been awhile. That will encourage her. But I've got to say something. "There's a lot going on right now."

"Like?"

"This."

"This just happened."

"Manning is selling the shop."

"Oh." She runs her fingertips up my arm. "Brendon, I'm sorry. Will you have to go somewhere else?"

"Maybe. He's offering it to us first. Any of us."

"Hmm."

"Hmm?"

"You only have a few years left on the mortgage. What's a few more to be the proud owner of Inked Hearts?"

"It's Emma's house too."

"You know she'd say yes."

She would. She's always wanted to run her own business. This would be perfect training wheels.

Which is why she can't know.

I protect Emma from this kinda thing.

I'm not sacrificing her stability.

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