at the walls of my sanity, scared that he was going to fuck up my relationship with Shaw. After a while, he grinned. “Depends.”
Fuck. I should have known his silence would come at a price. “On what?”
“This place is pretty big. Reminds me of all those times we talked about getting an apartment together. If I remember correctly, there is a second bedroom that isn’t much smaller than the master. Has its own bathroom and everything.”
“No fucking way,” I growled. Not only did I not want to be that close to this asshole, but Shaw would lose her shit if Cannon moved in here. I’d already promised her that his being back wouldn’t change anything between us. If he became my roommate, it might mess up everything.
He shrugged. “Huh. Well, I guess if I’m living at my parents’, I might let it slip about sweet, juicy Dana. Damn, she was something else, wasn’t she? Had the tightest ass—”
“Okay,” I exploded, then sucked in a calming breath. “Just keep your fucking mouth shut, and you can have the extra bedroom.”
He laughed and rubbed his hands together. “Perfect. I’ll just go get my shit.”
“Not so fast.” I grabbed his arm when he would have walked past me, stopping him from leaving. “You can move in, but not tonight. Give me a few days to tell Shaw. She’s going to be pissed enough at me. If you move in tonight, she won’t understand.”
He rolled his eyes. “Big deal. She’s always pissed about something. Girl has constant PMS or some shit.”
“Shut the fuck up!” I snarled at him. “You’re not going to speak to or about her like that. Just because you’re going to be living here doesn’t mean you and I are friends again. And I sure as hell won’t stand by and let you treat her like that.”
He jerked his arm out of my hold. “Her being pissed isn’t my problem. But whatever, man. I’ll wait and move in on Monday.” He smirked. “Make sure and get me an extra key made. See ya later, fucker.”
As he walked away, I stabbed my fingers through my hair and muttered a curse. I didn’t know how I was going to explain this to Shaw without upsetting her, but I had to find a way.
I couldn’t lose her.
Chapter 25
Shaw
Sunday morning, I woke up with Jagger still pressed up against me. His heat alone made the need for a blanket of any kind redundant. When I shifted, he followed, as if he couldn’t stand to be so much as an inch away from me, even in his sleep. I kissed his cheek, knowing he still wasn’t feeling well, and carefully untangled myself so I could start my day.
After everyone had left the night before, he’d been pale and quiet, so I knew his stomach was continuing to bother him. I’d said goodnight to Violet and then pulled Jagger into his bedroom. After he showered, we’d snuggled together under the covers, and I’d just stroked my fingers up and down his back until he fell asleep.
But not before he told me he loved me.
Hearing those words had me drifting into dreamland with a smile on my face that was still there when I stepped into the shower. Once I was dressed and walked back into the bedroom, Jagger was lying on his stomach, my pillow clutched to his side as he snored.
I could get used to this every morning.
With that thought ringing in my head, I walked into the kitchen to find Violet already sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal in front of her as she texted away.
“Who are you talking to so early?” I asked as I opened the fridge and pulled out the container of orange juice.
“Just Remington,” she said, dropping her spoon into her-now empty bowl. “He’s still in Japan, but he said his grandfather is talking about London.”
“I love London. What I wouldn’t give for one of Aldrich’s omelets right now.” My stomach grumbled hungrily at the thought of the celebrity chef’s fluffy, spicy, veggie omelet goodness.
“Maybe we can take a trip and meet up with Remington at Aldrich’s restaurant,” Violet suggested, her pretty purple eyes flashing with excitement.
“I’m down,” I told her with a grin.
She typed another text and then set her phone facedown on the table. “I have to head home soon. I’m interning at the magazine for the summer, and I start tomorrow.”
“Okay, give me a few minutes, and I’ll drive you home.” I finished my glass