“You look relaxed,” he comments.
“I am. It should be one of the most stressful times of my life, yet I feel almost Zen,” I remark.
Ford steps to me, pulling me around the waist to his body, and he holds my hand in his when he begins to lead us in a sway. “See? I sometimes have good ideas.”
“You mean to get me here under false pretenses and get us to admit what we want?”
“Absolute brilliance,” he remarks.
He twirls me around with our bodies flush, but it’s nothing compared to his eyes that hold me captive as the sun causes a glint in his eyes.
“It’s all okay,” he assures me.
“I’m beginning to believe that,” I say softly. “Connor does seem fine. He is, right?”
“Totally. I did tell him the sibling request needs to be on hold.”
I laugh. “Good, we have time.”
Ford tilts me back. “Just tell me when we have the green light on that.”
I playfully nudge his shoulder before returning to our embrace for a dance on the patio under the summer sky.
“You just focus on that Bar now, okay? Everything else is for later,” he promises.
“Sounds good.”
Ford’s fingers slide along my cheek into my hair, and he gives me a warning glare before his mouth meets mine for a warm kiss that keeps me grounded to the earth because this man is like a foundation of a house, except it’s my heart.
“Everything is ours for the taking,” he murmurs against the corner of my mouth.
“It is.” I kiss him again, and this time I bring my leg up around his waist as we sway in our dance, and my dress hikes slightly.
He growls as we both laugh, completely lost in our moment.
“You know, I think I can get away with sleeping in your room tonight,” I inform Ford with a sultry tone.
“Thank fuck for miracles,” he nearly groans before kissing me.
“Okay, lovebirds, don’t burn my burger,” Connor orders as he walks along the pool and straight into a chair.
Ford and I step back and study ourselves. Our clothes are ruffled and our lips swollen. Admittedly, we are proud of ourselves because we’re happy.
And a few minutes later, we are all laughing around the table for dinner. It’s a perfect setting.
* * *
Slidingmy phone to the other side of the counter, I decide to ignore it. My father sent a text checking in on my studying. As much as I know he means well, it also feels like pressure. I just quickly texted back that I had a study session this afternoon, which was true.
But now, I’m done for the day, and tomorrow I head back to my house, and because I am still at Ford’s, then that means I get to join my guys right after I bring them a fresh bowl of snacks.
Filling a bowl with tortilla chips, I walk into the den off the hall to the laundry room. A complete man cave, and to my surprise, Ford and Connor are not gaming but watching television and laughing.
They ignore me as I wiggle my way between them on the sofa, offering my son the bowl first.
“What on earth are you two watching?” I look up to see dogs running an agility competition.
I feel Ford bring his arm around me on the back of the sofa, but his eyes stay fixed on the flat-screen on the wall.
