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I should be surprised, but I’m not. “Appreciate it.”

“It’s the least I can do after someone I vetted fucked up.”

We shift topics, talking about Lucas, Joey, and the kidney donation campaign. Nico asks if I’ve told Lucas about Laney yet, and I admit I haven’t. “I will,” I say, but then I hesitate before telling him about the fake relationship.

Nico laughs, the kind of deep, belly laugh that pisses me off. “This is going to be hilarious to watch.”

I scowl. “Screw you.”

“I’m just saying. You’re playing a dangerous game, my friend.”

I grumble something under my breath and hang up, setting my phone on the counter. I rub a hand over my face, exhaling slowly.

Then I hear soft footsteps behind me.

I turn, and there she is—Laney, fresh-faced, hair slightly damp, standing in the doorway. My pulse kicks up just looking at her.

“Morning, beautiful,” I say, smiling.

She gives me a small, sleepy grin. “Morning.”

She has no idea the kind of effect she has on me. But she will. Soon enough.

I pull Laney into my arms, letting the scent of her shampoo and something uniquely her seep into my senses. She hesitates, just for a second, but then her body relaxes against mine. I fight the urge to hold her tighter, to keep her there longer, but I don’t want to push too fast. She needs to get used to me touching her this way—gentle, affectionate, nothing expected.

She tilts her head up, her soft, shy smile making something tighten in my chest. God, she’s beautiful. “How’d you sleep?” I ask, my voice low.

“Well,” she says, and I can hear the honesty in it. That pleases me more than it should.

I drop a quick kiss on her forehead before pulling away, noting the way her lashes flutter at the touch. Small steps. I turn to the kitchen. “Sit. What do you want for breakfast?”

She shrugs. “Whatever you’re having.”

I grin and start cracking eggs into a pan. “Hope you like scrambled, sweetheart.”

She moves like she wants to help, but I shoot her a look over my shoulder. “Relax. I’ve got this.” As I stir the eggs, I glance back. “Any side effects from the drug still?”

Laney shakes her head. “No. I feel a hundred percent better.”

Relief washes over me. “Good.”

We settle into casual conversation as I plate the eggs, setting them in front of her before sitting across the island. She picks up her fork but pauses, tilting her head. “So, how do you know Lucas?”

I cut into my eggs, chewing for a second before answering. “Me, Lucas, and Nico have been tight since first grade. Grew up together in New York. We were from different worlds, but that never mattered to us.”

Laney’s brows lift slightly, curiosity lighting her blue eyes. “Different how?”

“Well, Lucas had the all-American dream life—big guy, broad shoulders, blond, and built like a damn superhero. He was our high school’s star tight end, already being scouted for the pros when everything changed.” I pause, gripping my fork a little tighter. “His parents were killed in a car accident. Just like that, his life flipped upside down.”

Laney’s expression turns somber. “That’s awful.”

“Yeah.” I nod, my jaw tightening at the memory. “He had a full-ride scholarship waiting for him, a ticket to the NFL. But he didn’t even hesitate—walked away from it all to step up for hislittle brother, Joshua. Kid was only twelve at the time, lost and grieving, but Lucas never let him feel alone. Did whatever it took to raise him right.”

Her fingers brush over the edge of her plate, thoughtful. “That’s… incredible.”

“Yeah, he’s the best of men.” I exhale, shaking my head. “Deserves every damn good thing life has to offer, and yet he keeps getting thrown into the fire over and over again. And there’s fuck all we can do to stop it.”

She frowns, her lips pressing together. “I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been for him.”