talking without being prodded. And I would, I just needed to sort my words so I didn’t screw up even
more.
“When we’re at the bar or when I go home with you, I’m happy.” I paused, scrunching up my nose.
That wasn’t what I meant to say at all. “What I mean is I’m relaxed. It’s like I know you’re there,
looking out for me, and if I need some time to get away from it all, I can.”
“That doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.” He slipped a hand under the hem of my T-shirt. I
bristled, realizing that I hadn’t bothered to strip out of my work clothes before getting into the bed
with him. I turned my head, doing a quick pit sniff to make sure I didn’t smell as nasty as I felt. But
really, I couldn’t be too worried about it when William started gently rubbing my stomach. “Is it being
here that’s an issue?”
I nodded, swallowing around the lump in my throat. I should have realized I didn’t need to tell
him. He was a smart man and he’d very quickly figured me out.
“We don’t have to stay here,” he repeated.
“No, I think we need to,” I argued. “If we’re going to make this work, I don’t want to hide away.
Eventually, I want you to be able to come over when Willow’s here. That’s probably still a long way
down the road but if I don’t get used to you here when she’s not, I don’t see how the two of you will
ever be able to both be here.”
William kissed the top of my head again. “Baby, I will never rush you into anything. If it’s six
months or a year from now before you’re ready for that, I’ll survive. Will I miss you when you’re
taking care of her? Absolutely. But I knew going into this that you had other priorities. I just hope
someday, you’ll trust me enough to let me help you with her, too.”
“That’s the thing. I do trust you. It’s just…”
This was it. Make or break time. And it felt like this was a discussion we should have had before
now, before our hearts got involved.
“Take your time, we’ve got all night.”
I rolled so my body was draped over his, closing my eyes as I listened to the steady cadence of
his heart beating. I didn’t look up at him as I asked the question that scared the hell out of me. “Would
you still love me if there are times I couldn’t be your little boy?”
William hummed. “Corey, I’d like for you to look at me when I say this.”
He hoisted me so my body was on top of him, my legs straddling his.
