Max was at the table putting silverware on the cloth napkins. He looked surprised when I entered the kitchen. “You don’t look very wet for a man who just took a shower.”
Without a word, I moved into him and pulled him into my arms. He gave a surprised grunt, but he hugged me back. I felt emotional but didn’t want to show it. The lump in my throat ached, and I tightened my hold on Max. I didn’t think until that moment I’d let myself fully feel all the tangled, depressing emotions I’d had about the recall.
Max leaned back, his worried gaze searching my face. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
I nodded without speaking. That damn lump in my throat made speech difficult. Clearing my throat, I croaked out, “The recall is off.”
“The recall is off,” he repeated as if he didn’t quite comprehend the words. Then slowly, I saw the meaning sink in. “Oh, my God… the recall is canceled?”
I nodded. “There were too many fake signatures. The verification failed.”
“That’sfantastic. That’s so fantastic, Royce. I… it’s like a miracle.”
I rubbed my hand across the back of my neck. “It is. I feel like I dodged a bullet. I was so damn worried, Max.”
“I know,” he said softly. “But it’s okay now.”
I hugged him again. “I’m so happy right now.”
His breath was warm against my neck as he laughed. “Everything can go back to normal.”
“Yeah.” I sighed.
Everything can go back to normal.
Except Max would be moving out soon. What would be our new normal? I held him at arm’s length, and he gave an uncertain smile. I studied his handsome face, my heart thumping. I’d memorized the angles of his cheekbones and the pretty blue color of his eyes long ago. His face was like home to me now. Familiar. Comforting.
“I want to move in with you, Max,” I said, voice husky.
Obvious surprise shifted over his features, but he nodded quickly. “Yes. I want that too. I’ve thought about it, just as you wanted me to, but really, I didn’t need to. I want you to be with me, Royce. That place just won’t be a home without you.”
“Really?” My chest squeezed.
“Yes. I… I don’t want to go back to switching off nights. I want all my nights with you. I want you there every morning. That’s what I want. Okay? I’m sure of it. I’ve been sure since the second I asked.”
I sighed. “It’s a big step, Max. I don’t want you regretting it.”
“Never. I’ve never regretted one moment with you. The only time regret entered into our relationship was when you wanted us to tap the brakes. That break from you Ideeplyregretted. Other than that, I’m all in.” He grimaced. “Is that too much?”
I laughed, feeling ridiculously happy. “It’s never too much.”
He gulped, but he looked pleased. “So, we’re actually going to officially do it? Share an address?”
“I’ll book a U-Haul tomorrow.”
He tugged me close again, and he sounded breathless as he said, “It doesn’t matter where we live, so long as we’re together. That’s truly how I feel.”
“Means the world to hear you say that, Max.”
He exhaled a shaky breath. “It means the world to me that I’mableto say it. That’s because of you, Royce. You’ve made me who I am today.”
“Nah. You give me too much credit. You’re the one doing all the work.”
“Maybe I’m a joint project.”
I smoothed his hair off his forehead, looking into his eyes. “So, you really don’t care where we live, as long as we’re together?”
He nodded and then frowned. “I mean, so long as there’s a pool. I really do love having a pool.”
