“I think I’ve known it for a while, but Wade laying it out for me earlier helped me see it’s true.”
“I like this guy already.”
I let out a long sigh. Maybe all this time I just needed to hear someone else say the words out loud so that I could give myself permission to understand them.
By the time we hang up, I feel a little more grounded, a little more in control.
I’m just about to toss my phone onto the bed and resume my search for pajamas when there’s a knock at the door. My heart skips a beat, and I tighten the towel around me before heading to answer it, not thinking.
I open the door, and Wade is on the porch with a covered plate of food in his hands. His eyes go wide, and I suddenly remember that I didn’t put clothes on and am still wearing a towel.
“Oh my God,” I gasp as I start to slam the door in his face.
He quickly catches the door with one hand.
“Are you slamming the door in shock or because you want me to leave?”
“I’m slamming it because I forgot that I didn’t change and…I’m embarrassed. What if someone else was on the other side of the door?”
“Just me. Can I come in?”
I let out a groan. “Yes.”
He darts in, grinning from ear to ear as he tries to stifle his laughter.
“Hey,” he says, his voice low and warm.
“Hey,” I reply, suddenly very aware of my lack of clothing. “What’s up?”
“Good thing I was the delivery boy tonight,” he chuckles as his eyes roam over me.
“I wasn’t thinking,” I reply quickly as my face warms even more.
My hand goes up to my face, and the movement loosens the towel.
“Oh my God,” I gasp as I grab the towel before it falls.
Wade throws his head back and laughs before he moves past me and walks into the kitchen.
“I think it’ll be safer if I bring the food in for you.”
“I don’t normally walk around in my towel. How unprofessional,” I say, embarrassed.
“You’re in your own place; it’s not unprofessional. Who knows, that might be what the cows need to be healed miraculously.”
“Stooooop,” I laugh again, tightening the towel even more.
I can feel my face is bright red, and I’m grinning widely. Wade chuckles as he puts the plate on the kitchen table.
“I was on the phone with my friend Kelsey and half looking for my pajamas. I wasn’t thinking that I hadn’t gotten dressed. What are you doing here?”
“Caleb and I made dinner. I thought it would be nice to bring you down some food so that you didn’t have to mess with it.”
“You cooked for me?”
“Yeah, I guess,” he laughs. “You’ve been running yourself ragged, and I figured you’d use wine instead of food tonight.”
I let out a small groan because the thought had crossed my mind.
