“Of course,” I mutter disappointedly.
He clears his throat and looks down. “I think I’ll top off before we head home. Do you need anything inside?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks.” I offer him a forced smile before he nods and steps out of the car, then I groan aloud once he leaves me alone and pout inwardly until he returns.
I paste on another smile as he opens the door, because I really have no reason to be upset. I should be grateful that the man I love has finally admitted that he has feelings for me, even if he mostly cited the fact that I’m nice to him as his reasoning. It’s not that I don’t appreciate all the sweet stuff he said about me. But after being friend zoned first, I guess I’ve been hoping for a little more evidence of Landry’s attraction to me. I mean, last night helped boost my confidence a little, but I’d still like an actual declaration.
Then again, I also promised I’d be patient with him. And I ought to know better than anyone that Landry needs more direct cues than the average guy, which isn’t saying much.
I realize I’ve accidentally let out a frustrated huff a second too late. But Landry turns to me with a grin and holds out a convenience store bag.
“Don’t worry, I’ve been taking notes.”
I furrow my brow in confusion as I take the bag. “What’s this?”
“When a woman says she doesn’t want anything from the store, she really means she’s too hangry to figure out what she wants, right?” He recites the line proudly as I dig around and find some jerky, my favorite brand of iced tea, and a pack of trail mix.
I bite my lip, already feeling guilty. “Landry?”
“Hmm?”
“For someone who supposedly has a hard time articulating his affection, you already do a pretty fantastic job of making me feel very well-liked, if not loved.”
His lips twitch, but he keeps his expression blank. “It’s probably one of those at least.”
“Thank you,” I say and lean up and press a kiss to his cheek. Then I watch as his eyes flutter closed, and he inhales deeply, as if he’s savoring the contact.
“You’re welcome,” he returns, and I scoot back to my side with a silly grin while he pulls out of the parking lot.
“Aren’t you going to say a rosary?” he asks after a while.
“Sure. I guess I forgot since I was a little distracted.” I pull up my purse and begin digging around for my favorite green rosary.
“Will you teach me?”
My brow shoots up. “Hmm?”
“I, um, I never really learned before. But if you wanted to teach me, we could say it together sometimes.”
I blink up at him. “You want to pray together?”
“Only if you?—”
“Yes,” I cut him off. “Absolutely.”
He shoots me an adorable grin, and it takes me a second to gather my thoughts again. I only thought Landry was everything I wanted in a man before, but we’re making it official now. If he thinks he’s going to ask me to pray together and still get rid of me, he’s definitely the gullible one here.
I attempt to clear the emotion from my throat before I begin our lesson, but I can’t help the way my voice cracks every so often after that.
We make it back home just after lunch, and my heart begins racing as he pulls into the driveway. We’re still sharing a home, and we’re still married, yet things are going to be different now. I’m grateful when he grabs my bags out the back and opens all the doors for me so that he can’t see the way my hands are trembling.
Landry silently follows me into my bedroom, and I struggle to keep my breathing steady. By the time he drops my bags down onto my bed and turns to face me, I’m forced to lean against the door frame for support.
“Thanks,” I say awkwardly. He nods and locks his gaze onto me again, and I think I might swoon like one of those women in Loren’s Regency romances if he doesn’t turn that smolder away soon.
“So, um, do you still want me to tag along tonight? It’s okay if you’d rather spend some time alone with your family,” I pose, my voice shaky.
“No, I definitely want you …” He clears his throat after he trails off. “I mean, I’d still like you to come with me.”
