After a minute or two of resettling our breath, we look at each other before giving one another a kiss.
“Can we do this all weekend?” she requests.
“Would love to, but it’s a Theo weekend,” I remind her. Abby has been amazing at respecting my time with Theo, and I know at some point if we carry on the way we have that we need to take the next step.
When to take that next step is a question that has been dancing around in my head the last few days. Theo and Abby accidently meeting a few weeks ago has been on a loop in my head. It warmed my heart and gave me a flicker of hope that this could all go somewhere.
Because at the end of the day, if Theo can’t accept Abby, then we have a big roadblock. Then I wonder if it’s better to figure out that roadblock now or later?
But the bigger stop on our train is identifying what we are. What are we doing?
That is the next moving piece, and I want to take that step, but I need to know she’s coming with.
I re-angle my body and my hands find her sweet face. The light of the car ceiling giving a dim glow.
“Abby, I’ve been thinking,” I begin to nibble her neck and let my mouth drag around her still-hot skin. “Maybe it’s time for our next step?”
Her hands find my wrists and she looks at me intensely. “As in?”
“What are we doing? Is it just fun or maybe we…?” I pull back and sit next to her, interlacing our fingers and hands. “This is something, no?”
The corner of her mouth moves and a gentle grin forms. “I would like to think so.” It comes out feathery and delicate.
My own face must be spreading a satisfied look as I love her answer. “Me too, so I want to take the next step.” I kiss our connected hands.
Her look is angelic. “What would that be?”
“Maybe hanging out with Theo and me? He doesn’t need to know you’re my girlfriend, but just so he can get used to you?” It’s the only logical move I can think of.
She kisses our connected hands. “Okay, that sounds like a plan… I’m your girlfriend?” Her look is cunning, and her brows raise.
My hand dives into her hair to pull her head to me. In a flash, my mouth claims her for a very needy and confirming kiss. I take command of her mouth, letting my tongue find hers for a lashing. Then my lips soften against her to create a lingering kiss. The type of kiss that fades into time because it feels like it could last forever.
But kisses weren’t meant for forever, they were meant for brief moments to remind you that the other person could be your forever.
Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I can’t not think long-term when my son is involved. If it’s just sex then fine, the stakes are clear. But now I am taking a step with Abby, and I can only do that if I think in the long run.
I kiss the tip of her nose before she nuzzles into my neck and I hold her close.
“So,boyfriend. What’s on the agenda for the weekend?”
“Hmm. Something casual. I think I will have everyone over and then it’s simple, right?” Yeah, that makes sense. But I have to say that I am kind of nervous. This is all new terrain for me.
* * *
“Go easy,man. I know we’re having dinner, but with a child present, I don’t feel comfortable downing your vodka-infused drinks,” Leo warns Max who is mixing a drink on the kitchen counter.
Max shrugs a shoulder. “Come on. Only Lucas is on chaperone duty. We need to get some good drinks in before you head off to travel the world, Leo.”
“You’re still doing that?” I ask Leo. He is planning to travel for a few months, handle business abroad, do whatever the hell a rich bachelor without responsibilities does.
“I am, and don’t worry, I will come back,” he reassures us as he opens a bottle of beer.
I’m busy tossing a salad and double-check into the living room where Theo is watching Paw Patrol. I picked him up at four and got him settled when we got home.
Jess comes walking into the kitchen, she must have let herself in at the front door.
“I brought dessert.” She smiles as she sets a box on the counter. “Your g-i-r-l friend is outside. Something tells me she’s kind of nervous.” She doesn’t say girlfriend in case Theo hears.
