“Oh, you don’t have to help unload, really, there’s not much anyway, and we got it covered. Between the four of us, someone is moving every few months, so we’ve got our routines down.” I start the short walk back to the house, Jack following behind me.

“Like I’m just going to stand around watching you all move stuff and not help?” Jack checks the label on the box and takes it over to the kitchen. “Wait, would a new roommate stand around and not help?”

I pause before heading up to my room, my foot on the lowest step. “Well, no, but you can certainly go about whatever your plans were for today.” I climb up one step and pause again. “Have you never had a roommate before?”

“What? Sorry, didn’t hear you,” he calls over his shoulder, heading back to the truck.

And I thought I was the master of deflection.

But I’m not one to say no to free labor, so not only is the truck unloaded within an hour, by the time dinner rolls around, I’ve also managed to unpack my entire room. I wash my hands in my gorgeous new bathroom before heading downstairs to see if everyone is ready for pizza.

Harley and Gemma are sitting at the peninsula, beers already in hand.

“Where are the boys?”

They share a smirk, and Gemma nods toward the basement. “I think Nick’s in love.”

“With the basement or my new roommate?” Opening the fridge and pulling out a beer of my own, I lean both elbows on the counter opposite them. If I sit down, I know I won’t be able to get back up.

“Both,” they answer in unison.

I chug half my beer in one gulp. “You guys want your usual pizza?”

They nod, and Gemma hops up to grab them another round of beers.

I walk to the top of the basement stairs. “Boys, I’m going out for pizza. Jack, what kind of toppings do you like?”

A second later, there’s a pounding on the steps. Jack runs halfway up, just enough so he can see me and not have to shout. “I already ordered. Hope that’s okay. Nick told me what you guys like.”

Smirking at this full-force bromance, I cross my arms over my chest. “You didn’t have to do that, I was planning to treat everyone.”

He shrugs and gives me a half smile. “It’s no problem. I’ve got my favorite place on standby.”

“Well, thank you. I appreciate it.” I turn to head back to the girls.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Sadie.”

The words stop me in my tracks, because honestly, I truly can’t imagine why anyone would be happy to have me here. But the look in his bright green eyes, even hidden behind those big-ass glasses, is nothing but genuine.

And so is my smile. “Me too.”