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“I was looking at you. Not staring.”

“Same difference.” He pulls me into his chest. “I missed waking up next to you.”

I inhale his scent, sighing deeply. “I missed it too.”

He hums. “What if we cuddle for like thirty more minutes and then I make us breakfast while you unpack.”

“Deal.”

After almost another hour in bed, we finally get up when Mortimer starts to meow nonstop.

“I forgot how annoying he is when he’s hungry.” I take in my cat as he sits in front of me. “Did he get fatter? I told you no treats.”

He sits up, raking his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You did give him treats. That’s why you can’t look at me.” I throw a pillow at him.

“Baby,” he whines, catching the pillow and hugging it into his chest. “It’s not my fault. I can’t help it when he looks at me with his big eyes and meows. I have to give him treats.”

“You’re weak,” I mutter. “He’s got you wrapped around his chunky paw.”

“I’m sorry,” he says sheepishly. “But look at him.”

Mortimer has flopped onto his back, rolling from side to side, blinking up at us as the cutest meow comes out of his mouth.

I sigh. “I’m going to shower and unpack.”

Thirty minutes later, we’re both showered and dressed. Hayden is busy making breakfast in the kitchen while I unpack my suitcase and throw a load of laundry in the washing machine.

When I finally cram my empty suitcase in the closet, my stomach growls. I tiptoe into the kitchen to see Hayden putting waffles on a tray.

“You made waffles,” I say, my mouth watering.

“Amongst other things,” he says.

I look around the kitchen, wondering what else he’s talking about, but I don’t see anything.

“I thought we could eat outside.”

“That would be nice.” The tray makes sense now. “Can I help carry anything?”

“No, I got it.” He picks up the tray and carries it to the front door but stops abruptly when he notices that I’m following him. “Wait, you can’t come with me yet.”

“What?”

“I want to get it all ready before you see it.”

“Before I see the breakfast?” I laugh.

He sighs. “Yes, Robin. I went above and beyond to welcome you back home.”

“Aww, okay. I’ll wait on the couch until you give me permission.”

He waits until I walk away before opening the front door. I look around my living room, taking in all the changes. Hayden moved in the last of his things while I was on the cruise. It’s funny to see his belongings mixed in with mine.

After a minute, the front door opens and I jump up, excited to finally eat.

“Can I go outside now?” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’m literally seconds away from starving.”