I wave at her, smiling. She waves back but holds up a finger.
I take my time climbing off the bike before I head over to her front porch. She steps out in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt.
“Hey,” she whispers.
“Hi. You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah. Couldn’t sleep. You are back late.”
I fight the smile threatening to show on my face. She noticed that I was home later than normal. She is noticing me.
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t wake the kids.” I look behind her as if I can see them.
“Oh no. They are sound asleep. I’m glad you are home. I sleep better knowing you are next door.”
“I’ll try not to be late then,” I tell her.
“What? No, that’s not what I meant.” She stumbles over her words.
I grab her hand, slowly placing it on my chest.
“Don’t backtrack. You should be able to say what you want. Ask for what you want. Demand better. You sleep better with me here? Then I will do everything in my power to always be here. You deserve to sleep well. It’s late, though, and you have work tomorrow, so how about you go inside and get some rest. I’ll be next door all night.”
She swallows hard before looking up into my eyes. There is confusion there, but she isn’t pulling away. I take it as a win.
“Can I hug you?” she whispers.
“Anytime you want,” I answer without hesitation.
She steps into me, her arms reluctantly coming around my waist. I fold my arms over her shoulders, pressing her closer.
“I miss this. Intimacy without the fear,” she admits.
I hate that she feels that way.
“Anytime you miss it, you come to me. You don’t even need to ask. I’m happy to hug you anytime you need.”
She holds on for a moment longer before pulling back.
“Thank you, Mac. I don’t know if I can ever trust a man again, but if I could, it would be a man like you. Good night.”
“Good night, Jane. Sleep well.”
As she steps inside, I replay her words.
I don’t want her to trust a man like me.
I want her to trust me.
I want her to be mine. The kids too.
I only need to make her see that I am nothing like her ex and everything like her future.
Istand from the dining room chair and stretch. My back pops, making me groan.
Now if only I could do something about my ass being numb from sitting so much.
Hell, even the chair in Bertha’s truck wasn’t as bad as the one in the office or the wooden dining chair.
