Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
ONE MONTH LATER
“Where do you want the chair?” Riley called, hauling it through the door into Brooke’s apartment. Except, it was their apartment now.
After spending practically every night together since their reunion, he was officially moving in.
Riley had been holding back the suggestion since day one, not wanting to rush her all over again, but in the end, he needn’t have worried.
It was Brooke who’d handed him a spare set of keys one morning with his coffee, and pointed out that he was over there so often, it only made sense for him to live there full time.
And she loved a plan that made sense.
“How about in the corner?” Brooke emerged from the bedroom, looking sweaty from hauling boxes—but still more beautiful than anyone he’d seen. It still took his breath away, waking up beside her in the morning, and knowing he got to be the one to fall back in bed with her at night.
After their time apart, Riley would never take that for granted again.
“Like this?” Riley maneuvered it into place.
“Perfect,” she grinned. “Now where’s the rest of it?”
“This is it.”
She laughed. “You travel light.”
“Not anymore,” Riley grinned, tugging her into his arms. He dropped a kiss on her collarbone, hands roving lower. “I’m thinking about getting something very heavy and permanent. What would you think about a grand piano?”
She beamed up at him. “Do you play?”
“I could learn.” Riley kissed her, taking his time. He meant it, too: for the first time in a long while, he had no intention of leaving. His new clients out in California were begging him to relocate, but they would just have to live with video calls.
This was his home now, right here, with Brooke.
Where he belonged.
“Ahem,” a teasing voice came from the doorway. “Sorry, are we early?”
He looked around. It was Mackenzie, with a package in her arms, and behind her, he could see Cooper and Poppy on the landing. They were all decked out in Halloween costumes—ready for the big party in town later that evening.
“No, come on in!” Brooke skipped away, and went to usher them inside. “You’re late, actually. Turns out, Riley doesn’t have anything else left to unpack!”
“My favorite kind of moving party,” Mackenzie grinned. “All that’s left is helping with the housewarming celebration.” She was dressed in a black catsuit, while Cooper and Poppy were in 1920s outfits, right down to their slicked-back hair and bootlegger trilby hats.
Riley got the glasses out and poured everyone a drink. Mackenzie had brought some of her new pottery as a gift, and they all admired the sailboat scene. “Is that . . . us on the boat?” Brooke peered at the tiny details. “Oh my God, it is. Look, she’s got my blonde hair! I love it, thank you!”
“Any time.” Mackenzie smiled. “And I didn’t even have you drowning!”
“We appreciate it,” Riley laughed.
There was another knock, and Grayson and Summer arrived. Brooke went to welcome them inside, and Mackenzie gave Riley a thoughtful look.
“What?” he asked, grabbing some snacks.
“Nothing. Just, look at you,” Mackenzie teased, munching on a chip. “Putting down roots on dry land, a steady relationship . . . I hardly know you.”
Riley smirked. “You’re the one who saw it coming, remember? You said you’d be celebrating my fall with popcorn… and here you are.” He tossed a kernel at her and she caught it in her mouth.
“I did, didn’t I? Damn, I’m good.”
“Just wait, you’ll be next.” Riley teased.
“I don’t think so.” Mackenzie gave a wry smile, her painted whiskers crinkling. “I’m all set. The Spinster of Sweetbriar Cove,” she quipped, but Riley wasn’t convinced.
“You’ll find someone. How could they resist you?”
“You’re getting soft on me,” Mackenzie teased. “All this coupling up, you’re losing your edge.”
“Ha,” Riley snorted good-naturedly. “My edge is still razor-sharp, baby.”
The others joined them, and Brooke raised her glass in a toast. “To moving on,” she said, giving Riley a secret smile. “And moving in.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
Riley looked around, and felt a satisfaction he’d never known before.
Gliding over the water was fun enough, but putting down roots was something else.
They would grow into something solid and beautiful, a life where he belonged—with the woman who’d shown him he was ready for the next chapter of his life.
After all, they had nothing but time.
THE END
(Almost…)
Thank you so much for reading! If you aren’t ready to leave Sweetbriar Cove just yet… don’t go anywhere! The next book in the series is full of cozy fall vibes, friends-to-lovers twists, and features local artist Mackenzie’s search for love - and some familiar faces, too!
MEET ME AT THE GAZEBO is available to order now!
Read on for your sneak peek of Chapter One.
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