Page 91

“Alright, ladies.” Jessie joins us on the other side, setting his treadmill to a bare walk.

Zach looks at him, only wearing his athletic shorts and sneakers. “Are shirts now illegal?”

“Why hide this incredible physique?” He waves a hand up and down his body. “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Captain.”

“I’m never going to get used to that,” Zach murmurs before bringing his treadmill to a complete stop and grabbing his drink. “I’m heading to the bench press; I’ve got some strengthening exercises I need to work on.”

Once out of earshot, Jessie turns to me. “Are you with baby and girlfriend yet or just baby?”

“Still the babies, but I’m making progress.”

“Progress...how?”

“Progress, as in I came straight from her bed to the gym this morning.”

“Oooh, that kind of progress,” he chuckles. “I thought you looked a bit flushed.”

“Yeah, well, I was beginning to break through, and now that the season’s started, I’ll barely get to see her. I’ve gone from hated to tolerated to sort of liked to now being given half a chance, and guess what? I’ll be gone a lot.”

“Ask her to move in with you.”

I look at him like he’s from another planet. “Did you hit your head on the Olympic bar?”

My best friend shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about it. You’re having babies together, and her place is fucking tiny compared to yours. Just ask her to move in with you.”

Lightly jogging, I consider asking Kate to shift her life across town and move to mine. Logistically, it would make a lot of sense; emotionally, she’d freak the fuck out for sure.

Jessie speaks again. “You’re having twins. That’s a whole lot more than just one baby. Double of everything. I don’t think co-parenting from the other side of the city is going to work, personally.” He clicks his tongue. “But what do I know? I might be talking shit.”

Would Kate go for that? Fuck that would be awesome, having her in my apartment. Driving back from games or the airport and finding all her stuff in my place. Hell, I’d even take all her houseplants and chipped mugs.

“I think a lot of this hinges on how you deliver it to her. If you say, ‘Hey babe, how about you move in with me this week and get married the next?’ you might have an issue.”

I snort a laugh. It’s like he just said out loud my ultimate fantasy.

“But if you sell it as a practical solution, I think you’ll have a better shot. It’s easier to woo her from the same apartment.”

I quirk a brow. “I’m having no issues there. Last night was fucking awesome. It’s just her fear of commitment. Not believing she’s loveable.”

I stop the treadmill and check my stats. “I told her about Lauren last night.”

“No shit. Only your family and I know about that. Good for you, man.”

“And now Kate Monroe,” I add.

“What did she say?”

“I think she was pretty shocked. I wasn’t planning to tell her, but whenever we’re together, I just, I dunno, my guard comes down, and so does hers. It used to be the complete opposite between us, but everything’s shifted. She’s starting to let me see her in some way, so I wanted to show her a piece of me, you know?”

He nods. “I do. I’m also even more convinced that you need to talk to her about moving into your place.”

“I’m just worried I’m going too fast, and she’ll slam the door in my face.”

“Dude. You’re in love with her. Where you’re concerned, there is no ‘too fast.’”

KATE

Easton