Page 92 of The Singles Club

“What would you think about living with me until you move?”

I swallowed. “Living with you?”

I never lived with any man I got involved with, not even Lucas.

“Yes.” He held my hands. “I’m in love with you, and I’m willing to do a long-distance relationship… but we have to be all in. Long-distance is hard enough. I’m thinking we should use this time to work on the attachment part, as you call it, and see if it’s something we want.”

“You mean we take out lust and attraction altogether?”

He smiled. “I don’t think we can stop feeling attracted to each other, but I think we should keep sex out of it for now. Until we decide which direction we’re going.”

As crazy as this whole idea was, taking out the lust and sex made perfect sense.

A temporary relationship? A safety net to get out of it?

No, this is an opportunity. A chance to find out if I could really do this. I had to really try and make this work.

Because if I can’t make it work with Justin, I don’t think I can make it with anyone.

I traced my fingers along his cheek. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

19

Moving In

Justin

It was my first day off in a long time. Isabella was more than curious, but Vivian and I had decided to keep this to ourselves until we made a final decision on whether to end things or keep going. Eleven days was hardly enough time, but it was all we had to work with.

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I moved the last of the storage boxes to my side of the closet. I’d spent most of the day reorganizing and making space for Vivian. It had been a long time since I’d lived with anyone. I swallowed down the bile rising in the back of my throat, my stomach queasy. Maybe I’d moved too fast with all of this. Vivian didn’t even know what the hell she wanted, and I was hoping she would figure it all out in eleven days? Well, now it was ten.

Fuck.

I headed to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.

It’s only temporary. If it doesn’t feel right, then we end it before Vivian moves to Paris. No big deal.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. A text from Vivian.

V: Here now. Would you mind helping with a few of my things?

J: Of course. I’ll be right down.

Max was already getting out her suitcases from the trunk. She had two full ones, a garment bag, a carry-on, and a backpack slung over her shoulder. She looked up at me, and I could see she was just as nervous and scared about all this as I was. But there was hope there too. She was really trying.

I decided right then and there that I was all in. If Vivian wanted to make this work, I’d do everything I could on my part.

My shoulders relaxed as I walked over and kissed her forehead. I grabbed the two suitcases as Max grinned at me. “Just friends, eh?”

I smiled back at him without saying a word.

“You need any help bringing up your stuff?” he asked.

Vivian slung the garment bag over her arm and clasped her other hand around the handle of her carry-on. “I’m okay.”

“We can manage from here.” I took out my wallet and handed him a fifty on top of the usual fare since he had had the task of helping her get all this stuff down three flights of stairs. “Thanks.”

He tipped his hat. “My pleasure.”