Laughing, Vance helped her sit down properly.“I know, honey.But it’s important to eat healthy.”
I cast a pointed look at all the cheese and pasta on the table, and Vance shot me a sheepish grin.“But I know you don’t like it, so that’s why I get things youdolike.”
I mouthed, “Pushover,” and he smiled at me, unrepentant.
I did the best I could to provide healthy meals, but it was hard with the limited budget I had to work with.
Vance paused eating, making sure he had our attention.“Do you want to have a sleepover at the house I bought?All the bedrooms are ready.”
I glanced at the girls, who looked eager to sleep anywhere that wasn’t the apartment.“Vance made sure you each have your own room.With yourownbed.”
The girls cheered, and Addy tugged on Vance’s sleeve.“What color are my walls?Do I get rainbow sheets?”
He tapped her nose.“Both your walls are peach, and there’s a large chalkboard you can paint and draw on.But if you don’t like any of the colors, we can change them.”
More cheering as I cocked an eyebrow at Vance.“Let’s not make any big changes quite yet.The color is lovely, and if the girls don’t like the sheets, we can get the ones from here.”
I’d finally gotten my full tour of the house the second night I’d stayed there and had seen their rooms.Vance had gone all out, even going so far as to buy toys.He’d used the furniture I had thought we’d been buying for the guest rooms for his nieces and nephews.
His eyes crinkled at the corners, and I almost forgot what we were talking about.Almost.“What do you say we all go there tomorrow after school?”
Elana nearly climbed over the table in her excitement.“Can we, Mommy?Please?”
“Don’t sit on the table.And yes, we can go over tomorrow.”
Noticing the girls had finished their dinner, I said, “If you’re not hungry anymore, why don’t you pack a small bag?That way we can go straight after school.”
They jumped up and raced to their room, chatting excitedly about what the house might look like.
Vance helped me clean up, his hand constantly brushing me, standing close so I could feel the heat of his body.When we were done, he turned me to face him, my back to the counter.“You’ve been quiet.Are you upset about the house?We don’t have to stay there if you don’t want to.”
My gaze dropped to his chest.“I’m not upset.I’m worried the girls are going to get smacked in the face with what we’ve lost since the divorce.And then they’ll be upset when they have to come back to our tiny apartment.”
“You don’t have to come back if you don’t want to.”
Okay, now that would take me a minute to unpack.“Are you asking me to move in with you?”
He didn’t hesitate with his reply.“I am.I hate this apartment.And I know I want to be with you.There is nothing that says we need to take a certain amount of time for the next step.”
“What if we don’t work out?”
He growled, his hold on my hips tightening.“We’ll work out.”
“But you don’t know that for sure.You might decide having two little girls around all the time is too much.Or what if we don’t get along?Or I can’t live with you getting up at the ass crack of dawn every morning?Or you can’t live with me making a huge mess in the kitchen?”
“You have two little girls who I adore.And they are a part of you, so they belong with me as much as you do.”He kissed my cheek.“And you always clean up once you’re done making a mess.”
I tipped my head back, and he took the invitation for what it was and kissed me.“Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you organize my fridge and cutlery drawer every time you’re here.I didn’t know cutlery could look orderly.”
His arms wound around me, and he drew me into him.
“I know you.I’ve known you for months.I know who you are.And I know your girls.And I know that I want you living with me.Hell, I’d move you in tonight if you’d let me.”
I brushed my thumb against the edge of his angular jaw.“Let’s not be hasty.The girls might hate it.”
He actually looked worried for a minute despite my teasing tone.There was no way they’d hate it.
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth.“Then I’ll let them redecorate their rooms until they love them.”
