I giggled. “You know that’s a yes.”
“Good. Because you know Allison’s going to be bugging me over dinner as to whether or not you’ve sent them.”
I reached over and gave Michael a big hug as I laughed.
“Thanks for bringing me over.”
He kissed my cheek. “Anytime. You know I don’t mind giving you rides.”
I pulled back. “Have you talked to Clint about the new school riding schedule?”
“I haven’t yet. I plan on it tonight, though. You know, after the two of you are done doing your thing.”
“There’s no ‘thing’ happening tonight. His stepmom’s home.”
Michael gave me a knowing look. “Uh huh. Whatever. Have fun, Rae.”
I rolled my eyes. “Screw you.”
“That’s Allison’s job one of these days.”
“I’m telling her you said that.”
We laughed as I unbuckled my seatbelt. I slid out of his car and waved him off, watching him drive out of the neighborhood. He and Allison had a dinner date. The dinner date, really. The one where he picked her up at her house and officially met her parents.
I’d already told Allison to text me and let me know how it went.
With Michael’s car out of sight, I turned around and looked up at the massive apartment building before walking onto the first floor. I came to the apartment number and knocked softly on the door. I checked my text message, making sure I had the right place.
And when Clint opened the door, I smiled broadly.
“Come here, beautiful.”
He picked me up and swung me around. I giggled as he carried me into the apartment. He closed the door behind me and set me back down on my feet. Then he proceeded to give me the grand tour.
“This is my bedroom. It’s back down the hallway. Cecilia’s is right off the main room.”
I nodded. “So her bathroom is the one guests use?”
He paused. “She said that, too. Why the fuck is that such a big deal?”
Cecilia called out from her room. “Because boys have nasty bathrooms, and guests aren’t using nasty bathrooms!”
I snickered. “She’s got a very big point.”
Clint rolled his eyes. “I’m not nasty.”
I giggled as he continued leading me around the apartment. He showed me his bedroom and bathroom, which were much larger than I expected them to be. Cecilia showed me her room and bathroom. And I was shocked at the amount of furniture they had. The decorations that had already gone up. It looked like they’d been slowly moving in all week. The place looked phenomenal.
“Want to see the balcony?”
I smiled. “Hell, yeah.”
Clint’s hand fell to the small of my back and he ushered me out a door. The white-washed wrought iron was gorgeous, and it overlooked a stretch of land shrouded in green grass and trees. The leaves were turning colors, casting yellows and oranges and reds against the sky. I smiled brightly as Clint closed the porch door, giving us some privacy out there all by ourselves.
“Come here. Sit with me.”
I squealed as he pulled me into his lap. We sat down in an oversized chair on the small private balcony, and I leaned against him. My legs curled up as he held me. My forehead fell against his temple. I hadn’t seen Clint smile like this in a long time. And the smile stayed prevalent on his face. He looked more relaxed, more at ease. I kissed the shell of his ear softly and he turned his head, nuzzling his nose against my own.