“You have me back in your life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be lounging in your bed.”
“I want more, Cree,” he said, no humor in his tone. “I want a commitment.”
She lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “What type of commitment?”
“I want us to pick up where we left off. I want you to be my woman. I want to be introduced as your man. Not your friend. Not your client. No more hiding me from your friends and family.”
Cree huffed out a breath. “Tristan, why can’t we just hang out, have fun? We’re getting reacquainted. Why do we have to put a label on—”
“Cree, I’m not going to be your dirty little secret anymore. I stood for that shit back in the day. Not this time. We’re either all in or nothing. Meaning, we date like normal people and meet each other’s friends and family and build from there. I was serious about wanting my wife back. I love you. I never stopped loving you,” he said with conviction.
She loved him too, but she wasn’t ready to say the words. Not yet, and that didn’t mean she’d never say them. But she was still getting used to the idea of them being together. Could she ever see herself marrying him again? Yes, but not until she knew for sure they’d stay married next time.
“We can take it slow if you want, Cree, but just know you still own my heart. I want what we once had and more.
“While I was recovering from injuries, I realized just how short life is. How things can change in a heartbeat. I had big plans for my career, and I know for a fact that, just because we plan out our lives, doesn’t mean that’s the way it’ll turn out. I’m not taking anything for granted anymore. I know you and I are meant to be together, that we still more than care about each other, and I want us to build on that.”
Cree pulled out of his hold and returned her attention to the ceiling while trying not to growl her frustration. After such an incredible afternoon, the last thing she wanted to do was argue. She understood Tristan’s demand, and he was right, to a point. He was the love of her life all those years ago. Yet, she’d kept their relationship a secret, which hadn’t been fair to him.
Still, she’d had good reason for keeping things quiet the last time and would have just as good a reason this time around. Like before, Cree was the one whose integrity was at stake when it came to her career. Except this time, she had options. She had money. She had an incredible track record as a kick-ass attorney, and she wasn’t just starting out with a new business.
“All or nothing, Cree,” Tristan said when she glanced at him, and by the serious expression on his face and in his tone, he wouldn’t settle for anything less than a yes.
It was more than just her career she needed to protect, though. She had to protect her heart too. What if she jumped all in and they broke up again? The first time almost killed her. No way she could go through that again.
But we deserve a second chance, a small voice in the back of her mind said. And he’s worth the risk.
Her cell phone, which she had brought into the room earlier, vibrated on the nightstand. That was twice in the last few minutes. When she glanced at the screen, there were several missed text messages. One from her mother, another from Dorian, and a couple from her father.
She skimmed Dorian’s first since it had come through over an hour ago.
Come to Mom and Dad's at your own risk. Mom is in match-making mode. She invited that pastor to come over later… for you.
Cree shook her head. Would her mother ever quit with her schemes? Cree skipped her mom’s message and glanced at the ones from her dad. After reading them, she groaned.
“What is it?” Tristan said from over her shoulder.
“I forgot I told my dad I would come by and read over some legal documents today. I was supposed to be there hours ago.”
Cree skimmed her mother’s text, which was asking if she was still able to stop by and read over the documents. She also told her that there would be dinner for her.
Hopefully, her mother’s guest would be long gone by now, but maybe not.
Cree set her phone down and turned to Tristan. “Do you have plans for the evening?”
“No, why?”
“Well, since you’re my man, I guess there’s no better time than the present to meet my parents. But I should probably warn you about my mother.”
His brows dipped into a frown. “Why? Does she have six fingers on one hand or something? Or is she going to interrogate me, then send me away crying?”
“No, worse. She planned to introduce me to the youth pastor at her church, and I have a feeling that he might be at their house.”
Tristan shrugged. “No big deal. We’ll just explain that you’re taken. I’m sure she’ll be fine with that once she meets me. She’s going to love me.”
Cree snorted. “Ha! If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Chapter Nineteen
