the morning. It says only this:
Be home at nine. We have some talking to do.
When I hear the knock at my door, my heart instantly picks up pace, just knowing he’s on the other side. I open the door and he storms through. He’s running his hand through his hair, agitated. “What the hell was that, yesterday?”
Hovering by the door, I say, “I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, come sit down and let’s figure it out.” He sits on the bed and I sit beside him. He heaves a heavy sigh. “Tell me—what happened?”
I shake my head. “It’s too embarrassing.”
He grabs my hand, holding it in his lap. “Tell me. Try.”
“Okay. I just, guess I got my feelings a little hurt that you didn’t want me to stay. Or at least tell me you were going to miss me.”
He strokes the back of my hand as he holds it. “That’s not silly. But the way you handled your emotions—that wasn’t right. You put us both through a lot of heartache when you could have just been honest about your feelings.”
“I know. I’m just not good at the emotional stuff. I’m really sorry.”
He leans down, kissing the top of my head. “It’s okay, sweetheart. In fact, your... outburst... made me mull things over and I have something to ask you.”
“What?”
I stare as he gets off the bed and goes down on one knee, holding out a gold key in the palm of his hand. I sit there, shocked, wondering what he’s up to. “What are you doing?”
Looking up at me, he says, “Will you make me the happiest man on Earth and do me the honor of moving in with me?”
Moving in together?
I think of our nights, being tucked in his arms. Waking together, the sun streaming in the windows, the smell of coffee. His gentle morning kisses.
I can think of nothing I would love more than to live with him. “Yes, I’d love to.”
He stands, slipping the key into my shirt pocket, and gathers me into his arms.
Giggling, I wrap my arms around his neck as he lays me on the bed. Tossing me down, he says, “Forgive me?”
“Yes.”
He asks, “And how would you like to be kissed by your daddy, Bachman boyfriend, now roommate?”
I give a giddy laugh. “I would like it very much.”
With a growl, he climbs his body over mine, kissing me deeply.
His gesture of commitment makes my heart so happy, I feel as if it will burst. I’m moving in with Luke. And now that I know he’s a Brother, I know there’s a chance I’ll be a Bachman Beauty one day.
Over the next week, I plan and prep for my new life, hardly able to believe we’re officially moving in together.
Moving day finally arrives and my eccentric but very fun friend from home, Lulu, is going to take over the lease for my apartment. She’s just starting out in the city and doesn’t have much either, so I’m leaving the bed, the mini fridge, the bookshelves, and the coffeepot for her.
She’ll be arriving any minute to help me pack.
Visions of Beauties dance in my head as I fill my few boxes. There’s not much here, I don’t own a lot of things, and besides, Luke has everything I need at his house.
The door flies open, and Lulu comes bursting in, a cloud of turquoise and pink and sequins, her long red waves of hair flying around her face. “I’m finally here! Oh, Victoria, it’s so good to see you!”
Discarding her many duffle bags from her shoulders, they come crashing down onto the floor. She wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
I hug her back. “It’s good to see you too, Lulu.”
Releasing me, she glances around the room. “You weren’t kidding. It’s a shoebox, but I don’t even care. I’m just so excited to finally be here in the city!”
Flopping down on the bed, she takes Mr. Stuffings into her arms, petting him and crooning to him. He’s been especially cranky since I returned—mad at me for having a neighbor drop in to feed him—but he’s purring for Lulu. She’s one of the few people he will let touch him. We catch up for a few minutes, then she asks, “When do I get to see your new pad?”
I say, “We just need to finish packing up these boxes and then we can call the driver.”
She looks up in surprise. “Driver? Seriously? This new boyfriend must be flush with cash.”
I laugh. “He... does okay. I can’t wait