By agreeing, she might be opening herself up to a kind of heartbreak she’d never experienced before, because she’d never felt this way about anyone before. But not giving them a chance was no longer an option.
“I think I love that idea.”I think I love you.
That realization didn’t freak her out the way she’d expected it to. Of course, now was not the time to toss those three words out at him. Why risk scaring him off right from the start?
“Excellent.” He blew out a breath, and his entire buff body seemed to relax. As if he’d been worried she wasn’t interested.
Silly man. She was very interested.
Boone kept his fingers in her hair and kissed her in a way that felt possessive, not controlling. Perhaps that was the difference. Unlike Enoch and her dipshit boyfriend from college, Boone was a man, not an immature man-child.
“Ahem.” Someone dramatically cleared their throat in the background.
They broke their kiss and saw Lucas standing in the doorway.
“We’re about to sing to the birthday girl.” He pointed over his shoulder. “You guys want to join us?”
“We’ll be right there,” Boone said.
“Sounds good.” Lucas patted the doorjamb and walked away.
She started to follow him and stopped when Boone took hold of her hand.
“Just so we’re clear, we’re official now, and we’re going to see where this thing goes, right?”
“Agreed.” Luna smiled, threaded her fingers through his, and they left the kitchen together.
The party began to wind down, and Boone said good night to Marigold and Viking. The rest of his teammates and their significant others had left a short time ago. That left their host and the birthday girl, who were straightening up the kitchen; her dad and granddad; Luna and him.
Boone tossed the empty aluminum cans and bottles into the recycling bin and walked back out to the front room to grab a few more. He tracked Luna as she moved around the room, picking up paper plates and cups and tossing them into a large, black garbage bag.
“You don’t have to do that, ya know.” Calliope strolled up behind him, drying her hands on a dish towel.
“I know, but waking up to a mess is never fun.” Luna lifted up a fork and a paper plate with remnants of frosting on them. “Besides, this is the last of it.” She smiled and shoved them into the bag.
“Well, I really appreciate you doing that.” Calliope reached out for the bag. “Here, let me take that out to the garage.” She took the bag and walked away.
Gabriel came from the hallway where the guest rooms were located.
“Care to join us on the patio for a cigar, Boone?” He lifted a leather case from his shirt pocket.
“Thanks, but I’m going to be heading out soon.” He added, “I’ll take a raincheck, though.”
“You got it.” Gabriel shook his hand.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, son.” Jacob extended his hand, and they shook.
“You, too, sir.” The man scowled, and Boone quickly corrected himself. “I mean Jacob.”
“That’s more like it,” he joked. He turned to Luna. “You got a good one here, honey.”
She blushed and looked up at Boone. “I certainly do.”
“I’ll be out in a few minutes, Dad.” Calliope flopped the dish towel over her shoulder.
Gabriel opened the large sliding glass door, and he and Jacob stepped out onto the small patio and shut the door behind them.
“I spoke to Eddie today.” Calliope crossed her arms. “He said everything’s fine and not to worry about him.”
