short knock sent Kayla into a new frenzy.
Granting them access, I smiled when she circled around their legs, practically knocking them over while mewling with excitement. If she was disappointed it wasn’t Ryder, I’d never know. In her adorable way, she whined and shimmied, wanting attention.
“Hey, there,” Cooper said, his hand stroking the top of her head before adding, “Hey, Ree.”
“Hi.”
Ricky kissed my cheek and handed me a pastry box. “It’s those gluten-free, fat-free, taste-free cookies you like.” Ricky winked, and I nudged him with my shoulder.
“Thank you.”
While his husband scooted down to Kayla’s level to scratch behind her ears, he admired my dog. “Damon was bummed he couldn’t keep her himself. She’s gorgeous.”
“She really is.” I’d never tire of petting her silky fur. Just shy of two, she no longer looked like a puppy but instead held all the majestic features of the golden retriever breed. “And such a sweetie pie.” After she properly greeted them, we finally stepped farther into my apartment.
Ricky dragged in an exaggerated breath and moaned. “It smells delicious in here.”
“Eggplant parm. Hope you’re hungry,” I said, knowing I had made enough to feed a small army.
“Starving. How can we help?”
“Get yourselves a drink. Dinner is ready.” I put the cookies on the counter before filling Kayla’s bowl with her dinner and placing it on her mat. Meanwhile, Cooper grabbed a bottle of his favorite beer, which I kept in the fridge, and Ricky poured himself a glass of the merlot I had opened.
I waved toward the table, all set and ready for us. “Let’s eat while it’s hot.” The sooner we did, the sooner I could get on with what I had to say.
The guys dug in without having to ask them twice. They filled me in on things that had happened since I last saw them, and Cooper asked me how things were with Ryder. That would’ve been a great gateway to tell him my news.
I didn’t.
In fact, during our meal, I missed a few opportunities to bring up my current living situation. Like when Cooper asked how Ryder was, or when the topic moved to the results coming in less than a week.
Once he consumed the huge second helping, Cooper pushed his plate away with a contented sigh. “I’m officially stuffed. That was delicious, Ree. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I motioned to the more-than-half-filled casserole dish. “You guys will take the leftovers home with you.”
“I accept. I’m sick of cooking for him.”
“Screw you,” Ricky countered. “You average a meal a week.” I believed that. Ricky often preferred bringing in to avoid the hassle of cleaning up.
Cooper’s gaze then flipped between Ricky and me. “So who’s going to fess up first?” Confused, we stared at each other. Without beating around the bush, Cooper said, “Riana, I know you moved in with Ryder.”
My mouth gaped, causing him to smirk. If possible, Ricky looked even more uncomfortable than I did. “How do you know?”
“Damon,” Ricky responded for him. “That ass.”
“Don’t get upset with Damon. He didn’t mean to slip and made me swear to keep it a secret until one of you two had the balls to tell me.” Ricky and I looked down contritely as Cooper went on. “Do you think I’m such an asshole I don’t want you to be happy, Ree?”
“No… that’s not it,” I said, defending myself with a firm shake of my head. “I think you would think we were nuts, and that I was rushing back into something too hastily.”
“I do think that,” he easily admitted. At my frown, Cooper placed a hand on mine in a show of support. “But the wanting you to be happy part outweighs the wanting to protect you from getting hurt part.”
“I know… but I won’t get hurt.” He didn’t look at all convinced.
“He loves me, and I love him. We’ve wasted so much time already. We know what we’re doing.” I squeezed his hand before taking Ricky’s in my other one. “I appreciate you worrying about me, but you don’t have to. I’m happy, and I’ll be fine. Besides, I have three amazing bodyguards who look out for me… and Ryder is leading that parade, Coop.”
He raised our entwined hands, kissed mine, and nodded. “As he should.”
It felt as though Ryder’s trip went on for months, and not just one week. Even though I went back to doing just what I had done before he and I reunited, only now with a happy-go-lucky golden retriever by my side, I felt off.
Seeing his handsome