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Andi’s easy acceptance of my role in Rosie’s life broke down the remaining barriers between us. With my secret exposed, I could fully relax. Be myself. Shower her with my love without fear. Only the last niggling doubt about how she felt kept me from admitting how strong my feelings were.

Life settled into an easy rhythm together. We both worked, but we spent as much time together as we could. I’d been the first person she called when her boss finally recognized her brilliance with a promotion. Watching her pleasure at the much-deserved raise and acknowledgement of her contributions, I couldn’t help my pride. She was amazing—and it made me glad to know that others knew it too. Her shift in perspective at work as she stepped into her new position helped me look more objectively at my own situation. Calls hadn’t worn me down as much when I knew I had Andi to come home to. And hearing Jimmy compliment me and my operator team as partners in emergency management didn’t hurt. The obvious respect when he recounted the hand-off on a recent fire call reminded me that however hard it was to see at times, my work mattered. We saved lives. Maybe not in a vacuum, but together.

A thousand times, I almost blurted out my love to Andi. She smiled at me over our cups of coffee at the farmer’s market, and I barely resisted. We grazed hands, washing dishes at Julie’s, and it was all I could do not to push her up against the counter and growl it in her ear. Witnesses and all. Every day not telling her was becoming more torturous.

I couldn’t even explain what held me back. I knew she cared about me. Andi had shown her acceptance of me, and every moment we spent together looked and felt a lot like love. But I’d been burned before. Lingering memories of Jess, of her betrayal, still lurked in the background. The ghosts of the past weren’t done with me. And they kept my tongue still.

Andi: Do you want to come home with me after trivia tonight?

I wanted to come home with her every night. Maybe it was time to push through the past and tell her.

Ty: I only want to come home to you every night.

I deleted the honest response before I could be tempted to send it, but only because I wanted to tell her in person. She deserved the words. Andi deserved everything. Instead I sent,

Ty: I’ll pack a bag.

Andi: Assuming you won’t be a sore loser tonight. The only thing I won’t rub is your ego.

I grinned. That was my Sunshine.

Bag packed, I couldn’t help double-checking that my symbolic addition hadn’t slipped out.

Keys. Keys to my heart, keys to my life. She needed her own set.

I loved Andi Torres, and it was time to make it clear. To her, to the world, to everyone on my trivia team and in my life. I wanted a life together. I couldn’t imagine mine without her anymore, and I wanted to come home to her every day.

Heart full, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at the Reject’s table as soon as I arrived at Haven. I debated going to her first, but I’d cut it too close, and Jeannie hailed me from our table as soon as she spotted me.

“Ty. Get that sweet brain of yours over here. We need to kick some Trebek’s Rejects butt tonight. No gawking at your girlfriend.”

Our waiter blocked my view of Andi’s table when he took our drink order, and I tried not to shift impatiently while I waited for my team to place their orders.

A couple of the players from the Guessing Gays stopped by as soon as Jake left with our order, and I did my best to focus on the conversation, trying not to be rude.

My breath caught in my chest when I finally glimpsed Andi across the room. Radiant, in a bright pink top that enhanced the roses in her cheeks and the sweet tilt of her mouth, my ribcage squeezed at the sight of her. I barely noticed the man sitting next to her. Until he threw an arm around her shoulders. The easy familiarity jarred me. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, chin covered in stubble, he seemed all too comfortable with her. I expected Andi to push him away, but her only response was an indulgent laugh. I could see the pleasure on her face from across the room.

Jeannie dug a bony elbow into my side.

“Who’s the handsome cuss with your girl?”

I held back the scowl, smoothing my expression. “No idea. Family friend, maybe?”

“Well, they certainlylookfriendly,” Maggie cackled at her own joke, and I soothed the savage beast inside with a sip of my beer. Because alcohol was sure to make things better.

I drank more, faster than usual as we burned through the first round of questions. Unable to focus on our game, I kept glancing at Andi’s table. At the stubbly stranger. Another co-worker? He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Shaking my head, I forced my eyes to our answer sheet.

Pete asked, “Pound for pound, what is the most efficient carnivore on the planet?”

Jeannie and Linda were stumped, but I came through.

“Domestic cat,” I said confidently.

“Really?” Jeannie’s side-eye game was on point, but I held firm.

“Really. They also have two noses and three eyelids, if you’re searching for fun facts.”

Her nose wrinkled, and I nodded wisely.