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Bryce slaps my ass before heading towards the door. My mouth drops open, and I shake my head.
“Oh, you are so gonna get it later.” I chuckle. “Or maybe not get any at all.” Winking, I walk outside and swing my hips a little extra for him. I can hear him growl behind me.
When we got to the restaurant, Vicki’s already there sporting a cute little black dress, and Austin looks nice in a button-down shirt and jeans. The men almost dressed identically, but Bryce was in a gray button down and Austin in a maroon one.
“Did you guys share styling tips?” Vicki teases when we come up to the table.
“Ha,” It’s all that Austin says before pulling me. When he releases me, he glares at Vicki and then slightly smiles before sitting down. I walk around to hug Vicki and tell her I miss her.
We sit down at the table, with me sitting on the inside next to the wall and Bryce to my right. Vicki is across from me and next to Austin. I look up from the menu and see the side eye that she keeps giving him. I smile to myself. It’s so obvious they like each other. They just won’t admit it. Maybe they like the push and pull; who knows?
Once the server places our drinks in front of us and takes our order, we hold up the tequila shots—well, except for Bryce—and toast to us all being back together. Vicki also throws in, “love and shit like that,” which makes Bryce and I laugh.
“So glad you two could finally come up for air. We almost didn’t recognize you when you walked in.” Vicki quips and the corner of her mouth curls upwards.
I shoot her a look, but then my face breaks out into a wide smile at the thought. Bryce puts his arm over the back of my chair and runs his hand up and down my arm. His touch sends shivers down my spine. I love it.
These days, being out doesn’t bother me as much as long as Bryce is next to me. My anxiety hasn’t been making much of an appearance, and I can only attribute that to Bryce and how protected and safe he makes me feel. He’s my little Bryce bubble.
When I have to venture out by myself, that’s when I have to use what the therapist and I have been working on. Allowing myself to find the small wins and learn how to be comfortable around others. One trick I’ve learned to use is my senses. Touching something can help ground me. So, when I feel anxiety, I grab on to the locket Bryce gave me.
“So, what are you two doing after this?” I ask Vicki and Austin. For the first time all night, neither of them speak. Vicki’s eyes go wide, and I see redness creep up Austin’s neck.
“You’re funny, Kat. Don’t push it. I took care of you all those weeks. So, mind your own business.” Vicki glares at me, her pressing into a thin line. I just laugh. Yeah, I’m onto those two.
After dinner, Bryce and I head back home. We noticed Vicki drove with Austin when we were in the parking lot, so we had a pretty good idea where they would end up. When we get back, we make our way up to his apartment.
“I am exhausted.” Bryce walks through the door and puts his keys on the table next to it.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect to stay out that late. But I had a good time. I missed seeing them.” My arms find him, and I wrap them around his waist.
Bryce leans down and rubs his nose along mine. “Ready to go to bed?”
I pull away and bat my eyelashes at him. “Yes, Officer Hawthorne.” My voice is low and breathy.
I hear Bryce growl, and I run for the bedroom, laughing.
* * *
The sound of the shower wakes me from my sleep. Rolling over, I grab my phone and see that it’s six in the morning. I groan, throwing myself back on my pillow. I turn and pull his pillow into me. If I can’t have him next to me, this will do for now.
When the shower turns off, Bryce comes out in just a towel. It’s a wonderful sight to watch the droplets of water fall down the ridges of his chest. I want to lick the beads of water off him. I want to run my tongue down every crevice—
Before I can finish my sexy thoughts, Bryce sits on the bed and turns to me with a serious look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I sit up, now worried about whatever he is about to say. My heart rate picks up, and I clench my fist to try and control my reaction.
“Nothing. Just breathe. Nothing is wrong. I just want to see how you feel about something. And I’m a little nervous.” His hand finds mine. I give him a nod, and he says, “What would you say to us moving in together? Not here, but maybe get a house. We can rent for now and then look for a more permanent home, but this way we’re not going back and forth all the time.”
I pout a little. “But then we won’t be neighbors.”
“No, Kitty Kat. It’ll be even better than that. We’ll be a boyfriend and girlfriend who share the same bed every night.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.
“Okay, I like the sound of that. Maybe we can look for a house near Vicki or Austin?”
“Yes, we definitely can. Alright, you lie back down, I’m going to go start the coffee and make you something to eat. You have your appointment with the therapist today, right?” He calls out as he heads to the kitchen.
“Yup. At ten. I’ll probably leave here about a quarter to.” I slump back and close my eyes, trying to get a few more minutes of sleep.