It was a little after seven when I could tell she was getting tired. She yawned as she ran her finger over one of the kittens’ backs. “You can go home if you’re tired,” she said, resting her head on the desk.
“I’m not the one who is yawning,” I said, reaching out to brush some of her hair behind her ear. “You are. Maybe it’s time you head home.”
She frowned. “I just don’t want them to be alone…you know, if they die.” Her eyes remained on the kittens, a loving look in them.
I moved closer, pulling her onto my lap. I brushed her hair back. Nora looked at me with those same soft eyes. I pressed my forehead against her and inhaled her scent. I felt her lean against me. “They aren’t alone. They have you, and they have each other.”
I cupped her face and softly kissed her. I pulled her close to me, holding her against my chest. I felt her sink again me and the space fell quiet. There was nothing but the sound of the window outside.
“Do you think this can actually work?”
“If what can work?” I asked, running my hand through her hair.
“Us,” she said, softer. “If we can work. Or if we’re fooling ourselves.”
She glanced up at me. “Are we trying to make something happen where it shouldn’t?”
“I love you.” I pulled a hand up, running my thumb over her cheek. “It’s not fake, and I’ll do everything to make sure you know that. What we have is real, Nora. I’ll prove it even if it takes you forever to believe me.”
She sniffled, and I wiped at her eyes. “You are the most important person in my life, Nora.” I leaned down, pressing my forehead against hers. “Believe that much.”
Chapter 23 - Nora
I unlocked the door, letting the dogs free into the back. I softly smiled, feeling I had been doing that a lot lately. I kept thinking about Kaleb kissing me and his promise. I believed him. I knew that we still had some things to figure out, but it was clear that Kaleb was trying to make it up to me. He meant what he said about being better.
“Oh.” Mike entered the back area, looking surprised. “You’re here early. I was going to come let the dogs out.”
I smiled at Mike. “I was up early, and I figured I might as well. Besides, you come in early a lot and stay late. You deserve a rest every once in a while.”
He laughed. “Well, if you’re already here, I’ll run and grab us both some coffee. How about breakfast?”
I shook my head. “I’ll just take a coffee.”
Mike raised an eyebrow at me. “I know it’s none of my business, but I have to ask, mostly because I’ve run into you coming out of the bathroom a few times, and I’ve walked by a few times, and I can hear what’s going on inside.”
My face went hot with embarrassment. “I swear, I’m not sick.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “My wife had bad morning sickness when she was pregnant. She could hardly keep anything down. Had to be hospitalized a few times.”
My eyebrows went up. Mike had never spoken about his wife, and I figured it was because it hurt too much. I just knew that she died a few years ago, but I never knew how. I never pressed the subject, knowing it wasn’t my place.
“I was going to tell you. I promise I’m not trying to hide it.”
Mike waved a hand. “I don’t worry about that. I just worry that I might be overworking you. The last thing I want is to come in and find you passed out on the floor.”
I shook my head. “No, I need this. It grounds me. I promise I’m not pushing myself too far.”
“And Kaleb? I’m gathering he’s the father?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
Mike chuckled again. “That explains all the extra visits and the amount of food he’s been bringing. He loves you so much.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words. “Why do you say that?”
“You can see it in his eyes. He looks at you like I used to look at my wife. He’s always looked at you like that.”
Had Kaleb looked at me like that? He only said the words a few days ago, but had he been feeling that longer?
