“Guys don’t have slumber parties. We just hang out. Moe!” Flynn called the dog, who’d wandered in to lick the portion of Brad’s face that wasn’t smashed into the cushions. “Brad’s always been able to sleep through anything.”

“So it would seem. It’s nice to have your friends back in town.”

“Yeah.” He pulled her back to the kitchen. Moe beat them to it, and stood dancing at the back door as if he’d been waiting for hours. He streaked out the instant Flynn opened it.

“Why don’t I make some coffee?” Malory offered.

“Yeah? You’ll make it?”

“Just part of the service.” Since the coffee can was already on the counter, she measured enough for a full pot. “If you marry me, I’d make the coffee every morning. Of course, I’d expect you to take out the trash every day.” She tossed a grin over her shoulder. “I believe in sharing household chores.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And there’s the unlimited access to sex.”

“That’s a big plus.”

She laughed as she measured the water. “I like making you nervous. I don’t think I’ve ever made a man nervous before. Then again . . .” She switched the pot on, turned around. “I’ve never been in love with one before. Not like this.”

“Malory—”

“I’m a very determined woman, Flynn.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s coming through loud and clear.” He stepped back even as she moved in on him. “I just think we should . . .”

“What?” She trailed her hands up his chest.

“See? I can’t remember once you start looking at me.”

“I take that as a good sign.” She touched her lips lightly to his.

“I’m already making a habit of this,” Jordan said as he came in. “Sorry.”

“It’s all right.” Malory brushed her hair back as she turned away to find clean coffee mugs. “I just stopped in to ask Flynn to marry me. It’s nice to meet another of his friends. Are you in town for long?”

“Depends. What did he say when you asked him?”

“Oh, he has trouble making complete sentences when I bring up love and marriage. Odd, isn’t it, seeing as he’s a journalist.”

“You know, I’m standing right here,” Flynn pointed out.

“Is that coffee?” Brad stumbled in, blinked when he spotted Malory, then stumbled back out again. “Sorry.”

Amused, she wiped out the mugs. “This house is full of attractive men, and I’ve seen all of them without their clothes on. My life has certainly changed. How do you take your coffee, Jordan?”

“Black’s fine.” He leaned a hip on the counter while she poured. “Flynn said you were smart, funny, and sexy. He was right.”

“Thanks. I’ve got to run. I’ve got an appointment to sign papers.”

“For what?” Flynn asked.

“The partnership papers with Dana and Zoe. I thought Dana told you.”

“Told me what?”

“That we’re buying the house, going into business.”

“What house? What business?”

“The house on Oak Leaf. And our business. Businesses, I suppose. My gallery, Dana’s bookstore, Zoe’s salon. We’re calling it Indulgence.”