my legs out from under me. I’ve slept without you for a decade, and suddenly the idea of it feels awful. How did that happen so fast?”
“It wasn’t fast, Carly. You set your sights on me in second grade.”
“Oh, this is all one-sided now? Is that how you’re going to play it?”
He heard the smile in her voice and said, “It feels fast because we’ve opened the floodgates, and now all we can do is ride the tide, baby.”
“You make it sound so easy. It’s going to feel weird being in a house where you haven’t spent time in every room.”
“Then we’ll make it our mission to get our scent in every room, on every surface, so there are no Zev-free areas left. You sure you don’t want me to stop by the shop so we can make sure there are no Zev-free surfaces there, too?”
“As much as I want to say yes, I think Birdie and Quinn would pull up front-row seats for that show.”
The lightness in her voice told him she was feeling better. “That’s just fine by me, gorgeous. My first mate is only for your eyes, mouth, hands, and body.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
ZEV COULD HAVE picked out Carly’s cedar-sided bungalow even without having been given the address. It was as unique as she was, with one story in the front, a two-story A-frame in the back, surrounded by lush lawns, full trees, and gardens overflowing with leafy plants and colorful blooms. The other houses on her street had perfectly manicured lawns and organized gardens, while hers looked like it had been dropped in the middle of the wild.
Zev shouldered his backpack, thinking about the call he’d received from Carly’s father earlier. He grabbed the box with the chocolate treasure chest in it and the bouquet of roses he’d bought for her. He knew he had to tell her about the call and hoped the right time would present itself.
He headed up the slate walkway with Bandit by his side. Bandit veered off with his nose to the ground.
“Come on, boy.” He waited for Bandit to amble over before climbing the stone steps to the spacious front deck, which had forest-green balusters and natural railings. While Bandit sniffed along the edge of the deck, Zev admired the picture windows on either side of the yellow front door and the maroon trim around the porch roof, all of which underscored Carly’s natural style. He had no idea how something like a house could make him love her even more, but he had a feeling it was because it proved once again that she’d never completely silenced the creative nature girl with a flair all her own that he’d fallen in love with when he was just a boy. The girl who had challenged him to a race just to prove she wouldn’t be outdone. She’d outdone him by miles in the years they’d been apart.
Then again, she’d always outshone him.
Bandit leaned against Zev’s leg, and Zev crouched to love him up. “I get why Beau takes you everywhere, buddy. I mean, besides your klepto habits. You’re a good companion, and I like having you around. But this is a special night, and I need you to remember our talk.”
As if on cue, Bandit barked.
“That’s right. You promised to behave, and I’m holding you to it. I’ll hold up my end of the bargain, too, and help Beau build you that doghouse we talked about.” Just in case, he’d bought two new chew toys, which he hoped would keep Bandit out of trouble.
Bandit barked again.
“Yeah, I know he doesn’t need my help, but you don’t have to rub it in.”
Bandit pushed his snout against the crook of Zev’s neck, and Zev hugged him with one arm. “Attaboy. Now, let’s go see our girl.”
Zev pushed to his feet to knock, but the door swung open, and there before him, wearing denim shorts with floral patches and a Journey T-shirt, her hair tousled and beautiful, was his heart, his home, his future.
He was ninety-nine percent sure she was wearing his shirt, which they’d bought together at a concert their senior year of high school. He doubted there were two Journey concert shirts with a hole in the right shoulder that had been stitched up with red thread. That made him feel pretty damn good.
“Hey, baby.” His heart thudded even harder as he leaned in for a kiss and Carly’s summery scent enveloped him. He wished he could bottle it up and take it