I grinned, letting out a slow breath.
“What’s that about?” he asked.
“My mom. I just got off the phone with her. She’s trying to get me to go to a big party next week.”
“I hope I’m not stopping you. You can go if you want.”
“That’s just it. I don’t want to go. I want all my spare time to be spent with you. It’s like having a bank account and you only have so much money. Every cent is allocated toward your addiction. In this case it’s you, of course. I don’t want a penny of that to go anywhere else. Including my mom.”
He let out a huff of amusement. “You’re so good with metaphors.”
“It was a simile, actually.”
He laughed even harder.
“I haven’t told my family about you yet.”
His smile disappeared. “That’s okay,” he said softly.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. They’re shifters. Reindeer shifters. It’s a thing. I mean, with reindeer families; they’re a lot. Intrusive is the word. I’m not ready for that. I don’t want to share you yet even though I want to shout to the world that you’re the best boyfriend ever. Ever.”
“What a speech. That’s a lot on your shoulders, baby.”
I loved when he called me that. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course I understand. At least you don’t have to worry about family on my side. We catch up once a year with Christmas cards. That’s it. No pressure.”
I sat up. It sounded sad. My family was warm and loving. Happy. I didn’t begrudge that. I’d been lucky; I’d had a great childhood.
“You’ll meet mine for sure. And they will love you. I’m delaying because I’m selfish. I don’t want to go to a party on my night off. I want to spend it with you and only you. I’m a bad person, aren’t I?”
“Not from my viewpoint. I want you to want me all to yourself. But do you think missing that party is a good idea? I’m just asking because your family sounds great and I am all for that sort of thing.”
His words were supportive but also made me feel a little guilty. “They’ll understand. Once I tell them about you. Mom has already guessed that I met someone. She’d want that for me.”
“Okay, then, you and me. Another weekend of unmade beds and delivery food.”
“Sounds fantastic.”
We talked as we did every night until we both fell asleep, the phone line open.
The weekend came and was over too quickly. Sunday morning when we woke up, we made love and then I clung hard to Dale’s chest.
“I love our Sunday make out sessions, but then I hate Sunday,” I complained.
He rubbed my back. “I know.”
“Because I don’t want you to leave.” I mumbled into his neck.
“I know.”
He was so patient. Kind. But he always forced me to take the lead. So, I did.
“Things have to change.”
“What things?”
I moved my head up and kissed his chin. “Us.”
