Page 43 of Juniper Hill (The Edens 2)

Her forehead furrowed. “Why not?”

“Because I know which place you’re talking about. A light-blue duplex, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I almost moved in there when I came back to Quincy. It has a pretty high turnover because it’s right by Willie’s.”

“What’s Willie’s?”

“A bar and the local hangout. It’ll be loud.”

“Oh.” She frowned. “I was just there and it was quiet.”

“It’s a Monday. Drive by on Friday or Saturday night.”

“Dang.” She sighed. “Well, I promise I’m looking.”

“Don’t worry about it. You can stay here as long as you need.”

In the weeks she’d been here, I’d grown attached to her car in the driveway. I’d gotten used to looking for her light in the mornings. And I liked knowing she was asleep, close by, when I came home each night.

“This was a temporary arrangement,” she said.

“Do you want to leave?” I held my breath, waiting for the answer.

“No.”

Thank fuck. “Stay. You don’t need to move out.”

“Are you sure?”

I shrugged. “It will be a lot easier to teach you how to cook if you’re my neighbor.”

She smiled again and stood, collecting our empty dishes. “I’ll clean up.”

“You’ve been cleaning all day.”

“I don’t mind.” She moved around the kitchen easily.

I stared unabashedly.

I didn’t like having people in my kitchen. Even Mom and Lyla knew not to intrude when they came over. For Memphis, I’d make an exception.

“I’d better get Drake home and in the bath,” she said as she hung a dish towel on the oven’s handle.

“I’ll carry him up.”

She didn’t argue as I hoisted Drake with one arm, using my free hand to take the car seat while Memphis hauled her purse and the diapers to the loft. When her things were put away and Drake was lying on a blanket, she walked me to the door. “Thanks again for dinner.”

“Welcome.” The lock of hair, the same one I’d tucked behind her ear the other night, fell across her forehead.

My fingertips smoothed it away, earning a hitch in her breath. Her gaze dropped to my mouth.

I inched closer, until the curve of her pert breasts brushed against my T-shirt.

She rose up on her toes, her hand lifting to my pec. Her palm pressed into my hard nipple.

I was leaning down, ready to take that mouth and make it mine, when Drake cooed.