So is my hope. “I’m stubborn, and I like my independence.”
“I adore that about you. You have no need for me to be any part of what defines you, and I am not looking for an additional co-parent for my children. You’ve earned your freedom from that responsibility. I only wish to complement you and your life, rather than rule it as my parents allowed themselves to rule one another and their deeds. You’ve shown me what family can be, how I can be a part of that, and I want—I simplywant, Bea. I want you.”
And now my eyes are watering and my nose is stinging, but not in the bad way. He’s saying all of the right things, and even more right things than I would’ve expected him to think to say. “You are the most unique person I’ve ever met.”
He leans into the table, hands folded before him. “I sincerely hope you find that appealing enough to let me intentionally call you my girlfriend.”
I swipe at my eyes, then reach across the table to cover his hands with mine. “Do you really know what you’re getting into here?”
“Of course not.” A nearly real Simon smile pops out, tilting one side of his mouth higher than the other. “But I am rather excited to find out. I do enjoy a good adventure, and so long as fire and enclosed spaces are not involved, I suspect you do as well.”
“I’m still figuring out what I enjoy.”
“Do you enjoy me?”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“Then it would be an honor to be part of your life as you explore all of your interests and hobbies and future career options, whatever they may be, for as long as you can tolerate me and my own unique challenges.”
Something inside shatters loudly enough for us to hear it through the windows.
Simon winces. “Such as whatever that might have been. Which, again—I realize they’re an extra complication. Which is a terrible thing to say about a person, or two people, especially children, but?—”
“Shh. It’s okay.” I squeeze his hands harder and tip my head back and laugh. “Simon Luckwood, you have yourself a girlfriend.”
He leans across the table and captures my lips with his, but it’s a brief kiss.
Because the door bangs open, with Charlie’s voice carrying over the patio. “Eddie broke the funeral plate!”
“I just found something new I like,” I whisper to Simon as we break apart, me giggling, him lifting his eyes skyward with a massive smile.
“Children with terrible timing?” he guesses.
“Laughing while I’m kissing you.”
He looks at Charlie, then back to me, and then he rises. “Let’s get it cleaned up, then. Bea will be staying to watch a movie with me.”
“Which movie?” Charlie asks.
“Something bloody and gory and terribly boring.”
“Awesome. Can I watch too?”
Simon slides me a look.
And I feel another smile creeping over my face.
We are officially dating.
Dating-dating.
And I have a crazy feeling that finding alone time with Simon will continue to be just as hard.
Not that it truly bothers me that he has kids.
They’re just little people. And they’re notmine.
Not my responsibility.
