“Oh, this isn’t me being nice.” Professor Herrera’s eyes sparkled like he was holding a winning card and knew it. “The room is full of boxes. Boxes that I need removed if we’re going to have more guests. And since we moved our room downstairs after Gus’s fall, I’ve had a list of furniture I want rearranged, but I can’t do it on my own. Trust me, I’ll make you earn your keep while you’re visiting.”

“I could do that,” Milo allowed, licking at his lips. The hope in his expression made my chest hurt. I wanted him to have so much more than a safe place for a couple of nights.

“I can help. I’m good at moving stuff.” I patted his biceps. “Maybe not as good as these muscles, but I can help, spare Professor Herrera’s back.”

“But only until I find something more permanent.” Milo remained somber, regarding all of us like this were a treat that might be yanked away. “I don’t want to take advantage.”

“Are you going to assist in eating all the odd recipe experiments Julio dreams up?” Professor Tuttle turned toward Milo, merriment sweeping across his craggy face. “You’re not taking advantage. You’re exactly what we need.”

“Me too,” I added. And he was. He was exactly what I both needed and wanted.

“Dude, I’m not sure whether to ask for a group hug or text Jasmine and tell her about the new epic levels of adorableness reached tonight. Maybe both.” Kellan chuckled as he grabbed another cookie. “And I’ll come help tomorrow with box-o-palooza. We can do an assembly line.”

“Wow. You guys don’t have to help me.” Milo darted his gaze between us, still looking wary, like the offer might evaporate any second.

“We want to,” Kellan and I said in unison.

“Thanks.” Under the table, Milo tapped my foot with his.

“Did you want to stay tonight or did you have…plans?” Professor Herrera raised an eyebrow in my direction as he spoke to Milo.

Milo glanced at me. We weren’t as skilled at the whole wordless conversation yet, so I spoke up. “He has plans.”

“But tomorrow.” Milo had turned a delightful shade of pink at the mere implication of sleeping together. “We can’t expect your RA to ignore us forever.”

“Sounds good.” Professor Herrera led us in cleaning up before Professor Tuttle got too worn out. Milo proved what an awesome house guest he was going to be as he washed the big pots while Kellan and I put stuff away. Meanwhile, the professors worked putting their dining room to rights again.

“I saw George last night backstage at the revue,” Kellan said as we worked. “He was talking smack. Are you gonna put him in his place? I wanna see that.”