Page 127 of Bargain With the Boss

Sydney

Having a man in my house was very odd and comforting at the same time.

We found a special delivery place who would take care of my plants. Instead of Jude’s place, Xavier convinced me to send it to his house. What was the point of finding me a place when he’d be with me all the time?

With me.

Because he loved me.

I wasn’t sure how I’d gone from the lowest moment to the highest in a single day, but it was Xavier. Things never ran exactly how I expected them to with that man.

He helped me pack up my condo—which was obscenely simple. I’d lived there for over five years and the only things I truly cared about were a few pieces of furniture and my plants.

Xavier and I cooked for my team. Over shrimp scampi he explained what to expect about New York and exactly what he did with Jude and Gavin.

I was surprised how quickly Leah, Lynn, and Jared were willing to jump into a new job. Pete needed a little more time to relocate but he and his wife were actually excited about a fresh start.

I only hoped that I could make a go of Rooted In Love and not crash and burn.

I couldn’t think about it being a failure.

Right now, I just wanted to live in the hope for the first time in my life. A large part of that had to do with Xavier.

I grinned at him as he stacked the last box near the door. He’d hired movers to transport my things across the country to his house.

Our house—at least for now.

I’d never seen it, but he was right. Now that I had him, I wouldn’t be letting him go.

“Ready to go to the airport?”

I nodded. “I thought it would be harder to leave my house.”

He crossed to me and curled an arm around my shoulders. “Breaking ties with your mother might have something to do with that.”

I turned into him. “Maybe. I always wanted something cozier, but this was a good investment.”

“Very practical.”

I pinched his side.

“Ow.”

“Sounds like I need an old cardigan and a rocking chair.”

“You’d look hot in a cardigan and one of those lacy thongs.”

“Is your brain always in the gutter?”

“Pretty much.”

I laughed. “Good to know.” I looked at my plants all tucked into special boxes. “Think they’ll be all right?”

“Yes. Might need to re-pot some of course, but they’ll make it.” He kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry.”

“I can’t help it. Plants were always one thing I could lose myself in. If I gave them the attention then I could forget I was alone.”

“You won’t have to worry about that again.”