“He’ll just laugh,” Sly said. “He doesn’t take anything seriously anymore.”
“Marriage seems to agree with him.”
“He probably wouldn’t even answer his work phone if I called him.”
“It is Sunday,” she said.
“He used to work Sundays.”
“Like I said, marriage agrees with him.” Cleo put her arm around Sly and turned him around to face her. “Having second thoughts?”
“About the house? Or about marriage?”
She swatted him on the shoulder. “The house. Too late to back out of the wedding. My mother would kill both of us.”
“All right then. We’ll have to go through with it.” He cast a martyred look at the darkening sky. It had been a long day, even with professional movers helping. Both of them were old enough to have amassed an unreasonable amount of possessions. Caught up in the fun of being together, they hadn’t done a very good job of editing down their things before the moving van had arrived. Over the next few days and weeks, they would begin the process of eliminating the duplicates. For instance: as much as they both liked smoothies, they wouldn’t need two blenders.
Sly’s arms tightened around Cleo. “How about we order pizza tonight?”
“Does Hector’s deliver way up here? It’s quite a drive from El Cerrito.” Their yellow house was in Oakland, up in the hills near Trixie and Hugo, tucked between redwoods and blooming California lilac.
“Would I ever buy a house that was too far away for Hector’s delivery?” Stroking the curve of her waist, he dragged his lips across her hairline, kissing and nibbling. “Please.”
“Sorry to doubt you.” She stretched up against him and rested her cheek against his. His end-of-day stubble was her favorite. And his scent, just him, after the commercial products had worn off. She didn’t have to hold back anymore. She could get as close as she wanted, love him as much as she liked.
They stopped talking for a few minutes, busy with other things. After a while, she pulled back and gazed into his eyes. They were dark and dreamy, filled with love.
“Let’s go in,” she said. “We’ll leave the doors open. He’ll come in when he’s ready.”
Sly slid his hand down her arm and caught her fingers in his. “Some guys just need a little time to figure things out.”
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Not just guys.”
They got lost in another kiss before Cleo finally put her hand over his mouth. “Let’s order that pizza and continue this later.”
He stole a final kiss, then said, “Right. Later. Let’s tell Mouse about the plan.”
It was then they noticed the backseat was empty. And as their gaze searched the ground for the missing cookies, they found a dark, furry silhouette watching them from the house’s doorway.
Waiting for them to come inside.
Author Note
Thank you for reading This Changes Everything!
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All the best,
Gretchen Galway
Trixie and Hugo’s Story
Just what happened with Trixie and Hugo in Las Vegas? Find out in Trixie Does Vegas (Oakland Hills Short Story 4)!
At first the author wasn’t sure the matchmaking grandmother would want her personal life exposed, given she’s usually the one who likes to pull the strings, but as the story developed, she decided Trixie would want you to know all about her accidental romance. Perhaps it will inspire you to find one of your own. She’d like that.
Note: this is a short story of about 40 pages and a very fun, very happy read. Because Trixie! Click here to get your copy and start reading.
Also by Gretchen Galway
All books in this series:
Love Handles (Oakland Hills #1)
This Time Next Door (Oakland Hills #2)
Not Quite Perfect (Oakland Hills #3)
This Changes Everything (Oakland Hills #4)
Can’t Stop Wanting You (Oakland Hills Short Story 1)
Just Can’t Forget You (Oakland Hills Short Story 2)
Can You Love Me Now? (Oakland Hills Short Story 3)
Trixie Does Vegas (Oakland Hills Short Story 4)
The Resort to Love Series:
The Supermodel’s Best Friend (Resort to Love #1)
Diving In (Resort to Love #2)
About the Author
GRETCHEN GALWAY is a USA Today bestselling author who writes romantic comedies because love is too painful to survive without laughing. Raised in the American Midwest, she now lives in California with her husband and two kids.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.gretchengalway.com to hear about new books, sales, and special goodies!
@GretchenGalway
AuthorGretchenGalway
www.gretchengalway.com
This Changes Everything (Oakland Hills Book 4) Page 26
