I huff a tiny laugh. “I really did.”
He pulls back to his full height, stretching, and lets out a dramatic groan.
“God, I forgot how tiny you are,” he says, rubbing his lower back like having to bend to kiss me was a burden.
“You’re justhuge,” I shoot back.
His eyes sparkle, but he doesn’t comment. He doesn’t need to. The grin says everything.
I roll my eyes at him. “Classy.”
He smirks, still not saying anything.
“Have you eaten?” I ask, brushing my hands down the front of his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles my fists left behind.
He nods. “You?”
I nod too. “So…” I murmur, fingers still lightly gripping the fabric of his shirt. “You stayed in my bed; can I stay in yours?”
His smile spreads slow and lopsided and it absolutely lures me in.
“Come on,” he says, taking my hand gently. And with a gentle tug, he leads me deeper into the apartment, toward the bedroom I’ve never seen.
I’ve been in the kids’ room when I dropped them off, but Patrick’s room? Never.
A weird little thrill flickers in my chest. I definitely never imagined seeing myhusband’sbedroom for the first time just shy of our seventh anniversary, but hey, silver linings, right?
And maybe… just maybe… he won’t be here for long.
The girls were right. Ihavebeen kind of an indecisive asshole. And while I am not ready for him to move back intonight…
I am ready to commit.
“Ooh,” I say when we step inside. “My boyfriend’s tidy.”
“Boyfriend,” Patrick repeats softly, like he’s tasting the word. He closes the bedroom door behind us.
I glance around the small room, definitely not the master. It’s barely big enough for a bed and a table which I’m guessing is his nightstand. Milo and Agnes have the bigger room. Of course they do.
My heart squeezes.
Then I spot a suitcase propped in the corner.
“Is that a suitcase?” I ask, pointing.
Patrick rubs the back of his neck. “Oh. Yeah. I’ve been meaning to get a dresser.”
“Don’t,” I say without thinking. Then softer, “Why waste the money? You’re gonna move home soon anyway.”
His head snaps up, eyes wide. “I am?”
“Yeah, of course.” My voice comes out calm even though my heart is racing. “Patrick… I know I’ve been here and there and not giving you a real answer. And it’s not fair to you.”
“It’s fine,” he says quickly. “I can wait.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” I take a breath. “The truth is… I don’t need time tolearnto trust you. I already do.”
Patrick’s lips press together, his throat bobbing as he nods once. Then twice. Then several times, like he’s holding in emotions.
