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You’re all the worst. But yeah… I’m in.

CHAPTER 12

Izzy

Izzy pulledup in front of Pete and Danica’s new home, whistling under her breath. It was a beautiful old house in West Highland — pastel siding, a porch swing, and an understated yet colorful xeriscaped yard. It suited them, she thought. The chaotic, cramped apartments of their twenties had been fun. Even Danica’s condo had been nice when she’d visited before, but this place looked like a home. Settled. Permanent. She loved that for Pete.

She killed the engine and lingered for a moment, staring at the house. The last time she had visited, they’d still been in that small condo, talking about home ownership like it was a distant dream. Now, they had something real. Something lasting. The thought made Izzy’s stomach twist, though she wasn’t sure why.

Grabbing her bag from the passenger seat, she headed up the driveway, barely making it to the front steps before Pete yanked the door open with a grin. “You made it!” she exclaimed. It had only been about a month since they’d seen each other in SanDiego, but she loved how Pete was a classic golden retriever human, always excited to see her again.

Izzy barely had time to set her bag down before Pete wrapped her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. “Damn, okay,” Izzy laughed, patting Pete’s back. “I get it. You’re freakishly strong.”

“Don’t forget it,” Pete said, setting her down and stepping aside so Izzy could enter. “Come on in. I’ve got cold beer or that weird prebiotic soda Danica likes.”

Danica appeared in the kitchen doorway, holding a brightly colored can of said weird prebiotic soda. “Hey, you.” They hugged, then Danica forced Izzy to take a glass of water, saying something about dehydration and altitude.

Izzy scanned the space as she walked through. High ceilings, warm lighting, the scent of citrus in the air. It was undeniably Pete and Danica — laid-back but carefully curated, a mix of Pete’s casual style and Danica’s quiet elegance. It made Izzy's chest tighten, but she ignored it.

Before she could say anything, a blur of fawn-colored fur came barreling toward her. Gladys, Pete and Danica’s pittie mix, wiggled excitedly as she shoved her big, blocky head against Izzy’s legs. “Well, hello, gorgeous,” Izzy said, laughing as she crouched down to scratch behind the dog’s ears. Gladys grinned up at her, eyes squeezed shut in bliss, a well-loved Lamb Chop toy clamped in her mouth.

“She’s been dying to see you again,” Danica said, crouching to rub the dog’s back.

“She’s obviously a fan of the finer things in life,” Pete added. “Like good company and extremely overpriced organic dog treats.”

Izzy grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of Gladys’ head before standing. “She has good taste.”

“So,” Pete said, waving an arm dramatically. “What do you think of the house?”

Izzy smirked. “I think you finally have a place where you can’t get away with leaving piles of laundry on the couch.”

“That isnottrue,” Pete said immediately, at the same time Danica said, “Thank you.”

Izzy chuckled, following them into the living room. She sank onto the couch, stretching out her legs as Pete flopped down beside her. Danica, somewhat more graceful, took the armchair across from them, tucking her legs beneath her. Gladys climbed onto Pete’s lap like she was a ten-pound lap dog instead of a fifty-pound hippo.

“So,” Pete said, nudging Izzy’s knee. “Let’s talk business.”

Izzy sighed dramatically. “I just got here.”

“You’re on the clock,” Pete said, though Izzy knew she was teasing.

Izzy rolled her eyes. “I’m salaried. Can’t we bask in the glow of your homeowner status first?”

“Nope,” Pete said, popping thepwith a grin. “We’ve got shit to do.”

Danica’s phone buzzed, and she held up a finger. “One sec, it’s Annie.” She stood, already heading down the hallway as she answered the call of her coworker, leaving Izzy and Pete alone. Gladys' nails tapped on the hardwood as she followed Danica with a wagging tail.

Pete leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Alright, what’s the latest on Second Star’s Denver expansion?”

Izzy took a sip of wine before setting the glass down on the coffee table. “Well, it’s entirely up to you where to go from here…”

“No, give it to me straight.”

“Like you had mentioned before?—”

“Iz, you don’t have to preface everything with this beingmycompany. I know it is. And now it’s yours, too.”

Izzy sipped her water. “Okay, well, we’re making progress. The funding is solid, and the community outreach has been better than expected. I think people are really responding to the idea of extracurricular grants for the kids.”