Dallas shot him a look, not trying to hide his surprise. “You’re welcome, but why?”
“My flat mate’s girlfriend keeps coming on to me, and since she’s moved in, it’s making my life difficult.” Patrick sounded disgruntled.
“Maybe it’s time for you to move out.”
“The thought has crossed my mind,” Patrick said.
“You’re welcome to move in with me. I’m here a couple of nights a week, less in the future, if I have my way. You take the bedroom, and I’ll take the couch when I need to stay.”
Patrick nodded. “You’re on. Thanks, bro. Are you staying here tonight?”
“No, the bedroom is yours. I’ll shift my stuff next week.”
After making sure the pub was secure, Dallas left Patrick alone in the apartment. The drive to his house was much shorter at this late hour, and soon, he was unlocking the front door and stepping inside.
“Hey, honey, I’m home!”
Laura appeared, a welcoming grin on her face. “Perfect timing. I’ve made a light snack. Did you have more trouble at the pub?”
“I don’t want to talk about work,” he said, curling his arm around her and snatching a kiss. “I missed you.” Her kiss told him she’d missed him too.
“My mother found out I’m not spending my nights at the apartment,” she said as she drew him into the kitchen. “She’s demanding details.”
“And?”
Laura didn’t seem worried and admiration flooded him on seeing her slight smile. “I refused to furnish details. It’s a standoff.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s called in recruits.”
“Your father?”
“My oldest sister. I don’t want to talk about my family.” She pushed him down into a seat. “A beer or would you prefer hot chocolate? I have my own special recipe.”
“Hot chocolate it is. Do you have plans for next Saturday?”
“Spending time with you.”
“How do you feel about a day at the beach?”
“Sounds great.”
“Patrick said he’d cover for me.”
“Count me in.” She opened the oven and pulled out a selection of savories. The scent of egg and cheese drifted to him, and his stomach let out a sharp rumble. With deft movements, she slid the savories onto a tray, which already held a selection of cold snacks. “Start eating. The hot chocolate won’t be long.”
A feeling of contentment settled in him. A few years ago, he would have finished work and headed out to party. Right now, coming home to find Laura waiting, fulfilled him, made him happy. “I’ve been wondering where we should go next.”
“What do you mean?” The microwave pinged, and she opened it to remove two mugs. After testing one, she walked around to join him at the table.
“I’m tired of sneaking around.” The words burst from him, taking him by surprise.
Laura’s happy expression faded. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“God no.” He reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. “I want to take you out and spend time with you in public. That’s what I’m saying.”
“But what about our families?”
Dallas sighed. “That’s what I keep coming back to. We don’t have to do anything drastic, but we need to give the matter some thought.”
“Mother wanted to know when I was going to Clare for an entire weekend instead of a few hours. She’d heard I went to the business dinner with James. I got the full interrogation over dinner.” Laura pulled a face. “James is nice, but there is no way I’m letting my mother maneuver me into marriage with him.”
We could get married.The thought popped into Dallas’s mind like a magical genie. He opened his mouth to voice the thought and bit his tongue.
“Are you enjoying the hot chocolate?”
“Someone has raided my booze cupboard.”
“Yeah, but do you like it?”
“Everything is delicious. Thank you. Walking into the house to find you waiting for me makes my day.” And his mind was back to marriage again. Something to consider. They hadn’t known each other for long, yet happiness filled him each time they were together, the rightness of a good thing. For the first time, he was thinking beyond the next week and into the future. Despite the possible fallout, maybe marriage between them wasn’t impossible.
