“Gavin took them to his house with the dogs. They wanted to make you lunch today. Brady suggested they grab you some soup from that place you like over on Champa.”
The thought of food was not a welcome one. For the first time since she could remember, “I’m not ready to think about eating just yet.”
“When you are, they’re waiting for the go-ahead.”
She grabbed new clothes from her dresser—nothing special, just a clean set of yoga pants and a sleeveless T-shirt with a shelf bra built in. “Thank you for staying.”
Travis swallowed, the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing up and down. “I think we need to discuss that.”
“The staying?” She wasn’t following.
“The fact that I don’t want to leave.”
Oh. That.
“Do you think we’re at the stage of the relationship where we should be having sleepovers?” she asked. “I don’t want to confuse the boys. Maybe we’re more at the almost-sleepover stage of things.”
“Were they confused when Dakota and Gavin had sleepovers?”
She shook her head. “It’s totally different.”
“Because I’m their uncle?” he asked.
“Because I’m their mom.”
He sauntered toward her. Well, he stalked, really. Then he wielded the southern. “Rach. I’m not goin’ to push you on this. But I want you to know that I wantthis, when you’re ready to give it. I want it all, and I’m ready to wait.”
She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.
“Rach,” he said, his voice serious.
She met his gaze, and he didn’t quite look like himself.
“You just let me know, okay?”
Oh.
Oh, no.
“I’m not…” She was so not ready for that. Not at all. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be…”
He didn’t seem disappointed. Not at all. And that was weird. It was weird, right? Yes, odd. Except, this just felt like a conversation, not a grand declaration of love.
“You just let me know.” he said, pinning her in place with his gaze. “I won’t ask again.”
Oh.
A lump formed in her throat.
He moved his palm against her jaw. She couldn’t help it, she turned her cheek in to his touch.
“Okay,” she murmured against his hand.
“Okay.” The conversation apparently done, Travis headed for the hallway. “Just toast?”
She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Yes. Nothing heavy. Just…toast. Maybe some tea?”
“All right then. Toast and tea.” He gave her a flash of a grin that made her seriously wish she wasn’t on a dry toast diet because she sorta wanted to jump him right then.
