is fine. I don’t care what they have to say about it. We’re adults and we know what we’re doing.
Maya shoots up from the couch, grabbing Caroline’s arm and dragging her away, leaving me alone with Cooper as they put their heads together, whispering.
“So…this happened.”
I laugh, shoving up off the couch. “It did.”
“Does Dean know?”
I shake my head. “No, and I’d rather he not find out.”
“Understood.” He nods, glancing back at the girls. “Is it serious?”
“Come on, man. You know I don’t do relationships. We’re just having some fun.”
He furrows his brows together, eyeing me with a sharp gaze that has me shifting from one foot to the other.
“What?” I snap, unable to take it any longer.
“Nothing, man. Just…I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do.”
But, fuck, my words are lacking conviction even to my own ears.
I ignore it.
“I appreciate the concern,” I tell him, “but we got this.”
His eyes tell me he doesn’t believe me, but he nods anyway. “All right.”
The girls make their way back over, and the tension between the four of us is thick.
“Well, we’re gonna head out, continue our chair search,” Caroline says. “Nice to see you again, Nolan.” She gives her friend a small smile. “See you tomorrow, Maya.”
We wave goodbye, then fall back onto the couch, exhausted.
And worried.
And confused as fuck.
“So, what do we think?” The saleswoman reappears and beams down at us. “Is this one the winner?”
I glance over at Maya, and she nods almost imperceptibly.
“Load ’er up, Lauretta. We’ll take it.”
15
Maya
I steel myself as I pull open the door to Making Waves and step into the quiet boutique. We’re scheduled to open in fifteen minutes, but I wanted to make sure I came in early so I could talk with River.
I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours worried about Caroline catching us at the furniture store. She promised me she wouldn’t say anything to River before I could, and I promised I’d tell her today.
So, here I am, three coffees in hand, ready to tell my best friend I’m sleeping with her boyfriend’s best friend after she warned me not to.
Caroline lifts her head from where she’s standing at the register, likely going over the sketches in her notebook.
“Morning,” she says as I set the coffees down in front of her. She reaches for the smallest cup, popping the lid off to help it cool down. I don’t tell her it’s probably fine since I spent the last ten minutes standing outside trying not to freak out over the email I woke up to.
The apartment I’m waiting on will be ready sooner than expected. Sam and I can move in the weekend before his birthday if we’re ready.
That’s just two weeks away.
I’m ready to move into my own place. I want a space that’s just for me and Sam.
But, if I’m being honest with myself, I’m going to miss Nolan.
And I’m not sure I’m ready to face that truth.
“How was your Saturday off?” Caroline asks.
I give her a look, and she smothers a laugh with her hand.
“Oh, good, you’re here!” River claps her hands, skipping out of the back office like the psychotic morning person she is. “And you brought coffee.”
I hold up a baggie. “And treats.”
“You’re the best.” She smacks a kiss to my cheek and snatches the bag away, digging into the delicious baked goods. She takes a healthy bite of a blueberry muffin, then wipes her mouth on the back of her hand. “So, I heard you went furniture shopping with Nolan yesterday.”
I snap my eyes to Caroline as my heart hammers in my chest.
Eyes wide, she shakes her head, telling me she didn’t say a word.
“I thought you guys were doing that last Sunday and that’s why you couldn’t come hang with us.”
Oh.
I exhale slowly. “We got busy doing other stuff last Sunday and then never got home early enough during the week to go before they closed.”
She nods. “Makes sense. Did you find a couch you both love?”
“Nolan found a couch he loves. My opinion doesn’t matter because I don’t really live there. I was just there so he didn’t buy something ugly.”
She smacks her forehead “Right, duh. Sometimes I forget you’re not staying in the building.” She sticks her bottom lip out. “Which makes me super sad, by the way. I really love having you and my nephew so close.”
“The new place isn’t that far away.”
“It’s a lot farther than going up a few floors.”
“True, but it’s okay. Speaking of the new place…” I pull my