I open the door. “Jonah,” I say, and show him the bottle. “How long have you been taking this?”
He tosses an arm behind his head. “I just started back up. I’ve had a script for that since I was kid, but I was so bad at remembering to take it.”
I sit next to him. “And how are you doing now?”
“Really good. It helps that I have a fairly routine morning, thanks to the animals. That’s why I keep it in my bathroom so I remember to take it when I get up. Also, Angie hooked me up with an ADHD coach and they’re in total support of the habits I’ve created.”
My heart swells with love for this man because he just... took care of it. He once again found an area of his life he wanted to improve, and he made it happen. “That’s amazing, baby. I’m proud of you for sticking to it. Now that I think about it... you have seemed more focused these last few weeks.”
He smiles. “Yeah?”
I nod and kiss his forehead and the wonderful brain behind it. “Good job.”
Relaxed and swimming in his endorphins, he waits for me to return from the kitchen with water and snacks. King has seized his opportunity and landed himself a spot at Jonah’s feet.
He declines my offer to fetch him clothes, but shows me to hiswalk-in closet where I can find something warm. He pulls a pair of old rugby sweats from a low shelf and reveals a large, elegant black gift box.
“What’s in here?” I ask, but I’m already opening it.
“Oh,sh–um... well...” Dark green lingerie lays neatly folded under crisp tissue paper. I look up at him with a furrowed brow and he pulls at the back of his neck. “So I bought that for you a while ago.”
I’m relieved it’s for me, but still confused.
“I bought that for you after we went dress shopping. I got your measurements from that boutique.”
“It’s beautiful. Why are you acting weird?”
“Because when I bought it, it was with the intention that you’d wear it for me”—he lowers his head—“after my brother’s wedding.”
Ohhh.“You... thought I was going to sleep with you.”
He nods but doesn’t look at me. “I’m sorry. It was before I knew I wanted...so much morewith you. Before I realized what kind of man I needed to be for you.”
Be still my beating heart.
Under certain circumstances, I would consider sexually punishing him for such a thing, but that’s not what my heart wants.
“Baby,” I coo, pulling all six feet three inches into me and petting his tousled, golden hair. “It’s okay. You don’t need to feel sorry about that. Not anymore.”
“But I am. It wasn’t fair, and I lied to you when I said I wasn’t expecting anything in return for being my date. I–I mean, I wasn’t expecting—”
“Come on,” I interrupt, and guide him out of the closet. “Let’s lie down.”
Once we’re under the covers and face-to-face, he continues. “I wasn’t expecting you to have sex with me. I was just really hoping and very confident that I... couldchange your mind.”
“I was kind of expecting you to try.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You were?”
I snort. “Wasn’t gonna work, but I was ready for it.”
“It was dumb,” he sighs.
I place my hand on his neck and glide my thumb across his warm skin. “It was, but you’re not. What matters now is the journey we took to get here,” I say, with a kiss to his pout. “I love you very much, Jonah. And I love that lingerie. And someday soon, I’ll happily wear it for you.”
“I love you too.” There’s a hint of a smile, but his downturn mouth persists, causing a pang of heartache to spread in my chest.
I lift his chin and force him to meet my eyes. “What’s going on?”
