He walks into the room, opens the mini-refrigerator, and pulls out a bottle of champagne. “It didn’t sound like nothing.”
I combine two of the orchid arrangements into one and repurpose the other vase for my roses. “It really was. Cat’s moving in with her boyfriend, so I need to look for a cheaper apartment. I mean, I could afford to carry the rent by myself, but I’m hardly there, you know? It just seems like a waste of money.”
West pops the cork and pours the champagne into three flutes. He hands me one. “That’s what you were stressed about?”
“Have you tried apartment hunting in New York City? Never mind, don’t answer that. Let’s just say I’m not looking forward to it.”
We clink our glasses together, and I take a sip of the excellent champagne. It’s an excellent vintage.
“The solution to your problem seems obvious,” Rob replies. “We move in together.”
Once again, my mouth falls open. “What?”
“It’s only practical,” he says as if he hasn’t just dropped a bombshell. “We’re three very busy people. You have to admit, it’ll make the logistics so much easier.”
West snorts. “Logistics. Yes, very romantic.” He smiles at me. “He’s right, though. It would be easier. And I’d really like to wake up next to you every morning.”
“You’re just saying that because every time I stay over, I wake up earlier than you and make the coffee.”
He winks. “Like I said, romantic.” He tilts his head to the side. “Are you concerned about your parents? I thought they were getting used to the idea of us.”
“No, I’m not thinking about them.” I’m thinking of us. “I don’t want you to feel obligated. I mean, just because Cat is—”
West hands me a key.
“How?” I sputter.
“I’ve had it for a while. Been waiting for a good time to bring it up. I love you, Mel. I’m doing this because I want to.”
I love you.
The words have been on the tip of my tongue for months, but I’ve held back. I’ve been waiting for one of them to say it first. (Cat would say that it’s because I’m a pussy. She might be right.)
It’s the first time West has said it.
I’m at a complete loss for words.
“Come on, Mel,” Rob interjects. “Say yes, and we’ll move onto more interesting things.”
“Like what?”
He grins. “Ah, I thought you’d never ask.” He pulls a suitcase from the closet in the main bedroom.
Wait, they had a suitcase stashed in my bedroom?
He opens it and pulls out an eye-popping assortment of sex toys. Handcuffs. Buttplugs. Vibrators. Nipple clamps. A riding crop. Lengths of crimson rope. You name it, it’s in there.
Rob walks up to me, a blindfold dangling from his fingers. “You know I love you too?” he asks.
“What?”
“Oh, come on,” he says. “This cannot be new information; you had to know. I let you drive the Valkyrie.”
That makes me laugh. “Only you two would fly four hours, show up at my door with roses and sex toys, and ask me to move in.” I shake my head at my two hot, crazy ex-bosses. “I love you too, both of you.”
“And yes, you’ll move in,” West instructs.
I beam at him. “And yes, I’ll move in.”
“Good.” Rob fastens the blindfold over my eyes. “Here’s the game, Mel. You reach into the suitcase, and you pick three toys.”
I gulp down the rest of my champagne, anticipation surging through me. This is going to be great.
* * *