“Oh, good. I like them, too.” She sighs. “Even though I probably didn’t give you that impression.”
“They weren’t as scary as I thought they’d be.”
She chuckles. “Actually, same. I thought they’d disapprove of my move because it might interfere with my career. Instead, they’re happy because I’ll be closer.” She shakes her head. “I have a lot to think about.”
“Yeah. I get it.” I pause. Looking back on the past with a different lens may give her a different understanding. “I think they were proud of you for standing up for yourself with your team.”
She nods. “Yeah. I stood up for myself. I’m such a bitch.”
I choke on a laugh. “Is that what you thought they’d say?”
“No.” Her smile goes crooked. “That was just me inside my own head.”
“Well, stop that.”
“I know.”
We’re quiet on the rest of the drive, Nikki lost in thought. I take her to her place and she asks me to stay tonight, so I do. In the brief time she’s been back here, we’ve been going back and forth, some nights together, some not.
And much later, in bed, both of us post-orgasmic and blissed out and relaxed, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her close. I press a kiss to her temple. “You know, your parents seem a lot like mine. Now you need to meet them.”
“Oh, boy.”
I grin. “They’ll love you.”
“Ooookay.”
“Just like your parents love me.”
“Ahhh!” A laugh breaks free of her throat and her head goes back to regard me. “Cocky much?”
I shrug.
“Youarevery charming,” she admits.
“And fun.”
Her lips tick up into a reluctant smile. “Right. And spoiled.”
“Woof.” I shake my head. “I think I’ve learned the hard lesson that I can’t have everything I want without even working for it. Thanks to you. The most important things are worth working hard for.”
She gazes back at me, eyes soft and warm.
“You’re the most important thing,” I add.
Her lips curve into a quivery smile. “Thank you. And you’re the most important thing for me.”
“In the past, when there was something I wanted that I couldn’t have, I pretended I never wanted it to begin with. That was easier than working for it.”
She’s still watching me closely.
“But I promise you I won’t give up on you when things get tough. You’re worth working for. And if I act like a spoiled asshole, call me on that shit.”
“Oh, I will.”
“But you still love me.”
“Yes. I still love you.” She smiles. “You think things will get tough?”
