“You’re going to wear it?”
“Haven’t even opened the box, only stared at it.”
“Keep me posted, but I am going to assume if I need to send you a letter that your address is in Lake Spark for the coming week, perhaps eternity.” She flashes her eyes at me.
I don’t answer, and we say goodbye.
Tossing the box onto the bed, I decide I can’t hide in here forever. Walking out of the room and into the hall, the corner of my mouth curls up when I see Connor’s room.
Walking to the door of his bedroom, I stand in awe. It’s not over the top, nor too childish. There is a double bed with a navy-blue duvet, hockey sticks are hanging on the wall, and there is a desk with a globe and shelf of books. I know there isn’t a game system here, partly because Ford and I agreed on no games or computers in Connor’s bedroom, and also, IknowFord wants the game console in the living room because he loves to play just as much as Connor.
Most of all, I notice that this room is perfect because Connor is no longer a little child. Soon he will be heading into pre-teen life, then worse, the teenage years. It also means he is more aware, and we can talk in a more transparent way with our son. Ah hell, Connor would be on to Ford and me in a heartbeat, even if he doesn’t tell us.
And I can’t figure out if that’s a positive or negative. Better yet, why am I contemplating Ford’s offer?
“You approve?” Ford’s voice startles me. His hands settle on my shoulders to assure me that all is okay, or at least in this room. Everything else is still a toss-up. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
I slowly turn and come face to face with Ford. “It’s okay, just admiring the room. You really made it a home.”
“Thanks. Ten is a hard age to decorate for. I’m lucky I hired a designer.”
I nod once, unsure why I’m now calm when not long ago my body was riled. Now I’m just warm and overwhelmed because his eyes are on me, dipping down to stare at my mouth. I step back into the hall to get us out of Connor’s room; I don’t want to taint his space with the discussion that’s about to happen.
But no words come out of my mouth. Instead, I stand there with my hands in my back pockets, and I try to avoid staring into Ford’s eyes.
“Have you thought about it?”
Quickly, I glance up and then back down. “There is nothing to think about. It’s ridiculous.”
I do my best to escape, and I head straight for the stairs, but Ford grabs my arm so I don’t get far. In fact, I’m now closer.
To him.
His breath.
His scent.
Those eyes that hold me every single time.
“It’s not. Elle, we’ve been doing a damn good job with keeping our promise, but only on the surface.”
My eyes shoot up to lock with his because he pretty much nailed down my theory too.
“It doesn’t mean that we should have a week of fun to bury our curiosity.”
Ford is quick to step forward. Our mouths are now inches apart, and he hasn’t let my arm go. “I’m not talking about fun. This is a little more. We have some truths to tell and lost time to make up for. Fun is what you do when there’s no history, no future. You and I already have half of that.”
“We also have parenting together.”
“And we’re more than just parents. We deserve more,” he is quick to counter. I shake my head gently, and Ford hooks his finger under my chin, guiding my gaze to him. “Let me prove to you that we can have it all. It’s our time.”
“No pressure or anything,” I retort.
It earns me a grin from Ford. “I’ve already taken the step to possibly make this fucking awkward between us because I’ve made it clear what I want to try. So you might as well make the leap.”
“It’s a big leap.” I stare blankly at him, wondering why my body still feels so incredibly comfortable in this situation.
“I don’t do small foranything.” The innuendo is there, and I snort a laugh.
