A Wild Ride (Jessica Brodie Diaries #3)(21)

Plus, we spent every night together, anyway. I had a wardrobe for his house, and one for mine. We had a dog bed in each, our favorite wines or whatever doubled. It didn’t matter which house we chose to sleep in, our stuff was already there. What was the big deal in consolidating?

I commenced my evasion tactics. “It would be silly to move in right before you leave for three weeks.”

“You have plenty of guys to help. You can put your stuff where ever, and however you want. You’ve seen the bronze goat statue—I’m not picky.”

“I know, but… let’s just wait until after you get back.”

“Why? Why wait?”

“Because I’ll be lonely. I’ll be moving into an empty, William-less place. At the cottage I’m at least close to Gladis. I have someone to hang out with.”

William sighed. It was a damn good argument. I knew by the frustration on his face. Which meant I’d won. For now.

“Fine. But when I get back, you move in.”

My turn to sigh. “We’ll talk about it.”

“Jessica, I just don’t understand—“ His phone cut him off, thank God. He looked at the name, debated answering it, then did. “Yeah?”

I used that opportunity to escape to the bathroom. When I got back, William was sitting, staring out the window. He waited for me to sit down before he said, “Adam and Betz are on their way. But this conversation isn’t over.”

“What are they up to?”

“Did you hear me? This conversation—“

“I know, I know. I was sitting right here, I heard.”

“Okay, just so you know.”

The honeymoon period in our relationship was long gone. It made Adam and Lump really irritating some of the time, because they were still going through theirs.

William took a sip of his coffee and said, “They were debating going out to breakfast, so they were calling to see if we wanted to go. Told him we were here. Invited them. Adam offered to let us talk, instead. Told him you’d probably torture him for it. In a nutshell.”

“How long are you planning on being in a bad mood?”

William laughed despite himself and leaned back. “You’re just so stubborn about some things. I love you; I want you around always. I want all your stuff in my place. I want to see you when I get home and not have to worry about what stuff I have where. I just…I want you to move in.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just another Davies mad that he isn’t getting what he wants.”

William laughed again, his eyes sparkled as they caught the morning sun, beaming that pure, beautiful blue at me. “I will get what I want.”

“Says you.”

“I’ll probably have to sacrifice a limb for it, but I’ll get it.”

It was then Lump walked in, followed by Adam. Thankfully they had stopped glowing every time they had sex, but this morning they both looked really tired, which meant—I let my head fill with buzz.

“Howdy-do ladies and gents,” Adam said, completely relaxed.

“I am not going to enjoy being your guys’ third wheel,” I muttered.

Lump sat next to me and grabbed my coffee. “I’m much more awesome than you are. You’ll love it.”

“Fat chance. Adam, can you get your woman a coffee so I can have mine back?”

“Yup. Willie?”

“Refill. Thanks.”

“So, what are you two bitter about?” Lump asked, finishing my coffee for me.

“Adam, make that a full round,” I yelled.

“Ahead of ya,” he shouted back.

“William isn’t getting his way as quickly as he wants.”

“Uh oh. That explains his constipated look. And, pray tell, what does he want?”

“Talk to you later about it.”

“Her to move in. Finally,” William said, staring at me.

“Ah.” Lump looked for her next round of coffee.

“Don’t you think it’s about time?” William asked Lump.

“She’ll talk to me later about it.” Lump had a fair idea of my hang-ups. And she also knew that this was a situation where she would need to take sides, and as one of her oldest friends, and a woman, that side would be mine. Although, if she didn’t agree, it would be worse than having William on my case.

Although, if things kept on the way they were, she would soon be in my boat, with the same circumstances. She’d definitely side with me. Then wait to see how it unfolded in anticipation of her future problems.

Changing the subject, and ignoring William’s frustrated stare easily, Lump said, “Gladis has been acting funny lately.”

“I know, but how specifically?” I asked, grabbing my coffee and nodding at Adam.

“She had a clear shot to hit me with a banana, but she didn’t even bother. She said she wasn’t in the mood. When is she not in the mood for a game?”

“Crazy game y’all are playin’,” Adam shook his head.

William had got her twice, so far, and both times when she was kissing or cuddling Adam. She nearly knocked Adam flat on his ass the second time to get away. Adam hadn’t moved fast enough, though, being too heavy, and William took that round. It was hard to tell who was madder; Adam for getting pushed, or Lump for getting impeded and losing that round to William.