I’d already waited more lifetimes than I could even count to find them in the first place. As eager as I was to move forward,to have them move in with me and start our life together, I could wait for them to be more comfortable.
The only thing that truly mattered here was making sure they were secure, happy, healthy, and knew they were loved.
They were quiet on the short drive, but I let them be since I knew they had a lot to think about. Plus, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, it never was with us. Whether we were talking, laughing, or sitting in silence, it was always pleasant with them. It always had been. Even when Oak had been pissed that I’d been assigned to them as a personal guard, it had always been comfortable being around them.
That probably should’ve been my first clue of what they were to me considering I didn’t feel that way with many people. But I’d chalked it up to them being Garrick’s kid and a good person.
And while that was true, I was coming to think that part of it was because they were my viramore.
“Hey, Rome?”
I glanced at them for a split second before refocusing on the road. “What’s up?”
“I… I don’t really want to talk about it—uh, us beingyou know—with anyone else yet. I think I need time to sit on it before everyone else starts… chiming in. Is that… is that okay?”
Reaching over, I gave their forearm a squeeze. “Of course that’s okay.”
As I started to pull away, they reached out with their other hand to stop me, grabbing onto me with a tight grip. “Are you sure?”
“Yep.”
“I didn’t, um… hurt your feelings, did I?”
I couldn’t help the huge smile that blossomed on my face. “No, Oak, of course not.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m not saying I want to keep it a secret. I’m pretty sure everyone knows already anyway, and I don’t mindconfirming it. It’s just… I don’t want to talk about it with them right this second.”
“That’s perfectly fine with me. I’d rather speak to you about it than anyone else. Hopefully they’ll all give us enough space to figure things out.”
They blew out a loud breath. “I think they will.”
“Me too. They’re all good people, even when they’re being nosey asses.”
That made them snort out a laugh, which made me grin. I loved their laugh, even the small ones like that.
I moved my hand around until I was able to grab theirs, and then I brought it up to my lips and pressed a kiss to their soft skin. “You’re being entirely too sweet right now. I’m going to start to worry that you’re coming down with something.”
They snorted and leaned across themself with their free hand just to flick me on the ear.
“Hey!” I laughed, trying to dodge another ear attack without making the car swerve. “I’m driving!”
“That’s the only reason I didn’t pull out the big guns.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask what that means.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw them make pinching motions with their free hand—since they hadn’t released my hand yet. “Pinching you, obviously.”
I snorted and deadpanned, “I’m terrified.”
“You should be. Just wait until we’re out of this car. Actually, nope. You won’t even see it coming, but itiscoming when you least expect it.”
“Oh hell, I’m in for it now.”
They cracked up. “Yep. For sure.”
Their giggles made me smile, and as we pulled into Anton and Keryth’s driveway, I found myself laughing too.
Regret ran strong through me when I had to let go of their hand to get out of the car. But to my surprise, Oakley walked around the car and grabbed my hand again, tugging me along.
