We go through the options, finding one neither of us has seen, and promise not to watch an episode without the other. Grace—the shy and conservative Grace—is beaming with a personality I’ve never witnessed from her before.

As we’re in episode three, my phone beeps with a text.

Lincoln: You all moved in?

I grin while replying.

Me: All moved in.

“Uh-oh, who’s the guy?” Grace singsongs.

I drop my phone into my lap to look at her. “Huh?”

She gestures toward the phone. “The one you’re grinning at while texting.”

“Oh, it’s just Lincoln, asking if I got moved in okay.”

“You and he …?”

“We’re, uh …” I hesitate, running my fingers through the fur of the throw pillow next to me.

“Don’t worry.” Grace taps my hand playing with the pillow. “Anything we talk about stays between us. I promise.”

“We’re just”—I shrug—“hanging out … seeing where things go.”

She nods, playing with her braid. “Lincoln is a nice guy. You two are good for each other.”

The corners of my mouth turn up at her response, and a sense of relief hits me. “I think so too.”

“And just like when Archer was dating Georgia while she lived here, he’s welcome to hang out here whenever.”

My smile grows.

I peer at my phone still in my lap when another text comes through.

Lincoln: Want some company when I get off? You can give me a tour of your bedroom.

I grab the phone to answer.

Me: You won’t be exhausted?

Lincoln: Nah. I’ll leave a little early and let Archer clean up. He owes me that.

Me: I’ll be here.

Lincoln: See you in a bit.

Had Grace not said anything about him being welcome here, I would’ve questioned asking him to come over so late. I know Archer used to stay over with Georgia all the time because Grace would sometimes call him her second roommate. I think the more people there are around, the more Grace is happy. She seems to be a people person who doesn’t like being alone.

I relax into the couch, sipping spiked hot chocolate while bonding with my new roommate, and wait for my man to get off work.

Lincoln: You awake?

My grin takes over nearly my entire face.

Call me desperate, but I’ve stayed up to see if he forgot about me.

Me: Awake and waiting for you to get here.

Lincoln: I’ll be on my way in 10.

Me: See you soon.

Jumping out of bed, I dart to the bathroom and inspect myself in the mirror. Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I check my teeth before strolling into the living room. Grace went to bed a few hours ago, and I don’t want to wake her.