“No.But I never even introduced Riley to any man I dated before.Not that there have been many dates.But because you spend so much time with us, it would be nice if he at least met you.”
“I think we should talk about this relationship.”He stopped his wheel and met her eyes.
She stopped her wheel as well.“Okay…” she prompted, not sure she wanted to hear what he had to say.
“You know how careful I am because of Sally.It’s been years since I let a woman get close.And I never introduced the women I dated to Sally.I didn’t want her to get attached to someone who wasn’t going to stay in our life.”
“Our situation is backward,” said Sarah.“The kids knew us before we started dating.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I guess the question is, would you have introduced me to Sally if you met me in another way?”
“Yes,” he answered without hesitation.“You?”
“Yes.”
His shoulders relaxed a little, and she felt relief.
“So,” he said, “your answer tells me that you’re interested in taking this relationship further.More long-term.Exclusive?”
“Yes,” she said softly.“I would like to be exclusive with you.”
“And…” He paused, searching for words.“I want to clarify something else with you.When you were gone this past week, I realized that what they say about absence is true.”
She cocked her head.
“That the heart grows fonder,” he added.“Just in case you thought I meant ‘out of sight, out of mind.’”
“I missed you too,” she said.
He walked toward her, and she stood to meet him.
“When you were away, you left a huge hole in my day.”He was standing right in front of her now, looking down at her, his eyes searching hers.“And it made me realize how much you have come to mean to me.”
“This summer has been one of the most wonderful in my life,” she said.“Being with you and Sally is so easy.I like who I am with you.I like having fun, Simon.”
He smiled.“I’m falling for you,” he said.“No.Ihavefallen for you.You’ve become… family.”
“I’m in love with you too,” said Sarah.
“I know from experience that sometimes love isn’t enough to keep people together.Sally’s mother and I… Well, things didn’t work out,” he said.“But I’ve also learned from that relationship.I made mistakes.I learned that we didn’t talk about things enough.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’d like to see if we can make a go of this in the long term.But I guess I need to understand where you’re at.Do you see a future?”
“Yes.I’d like to try.I really want this to work between us.But slow and steady.Not too many changes too quickly.”
“Agreed,” he said, bending to kiss her.
She returned his kiss then stepped back, feeling more grounded than she had in a very long time.“We should finish up in here,” she said.“Maybe continue our conversation without clay all over us?”
He chuckled.“Deal.But first I’ll show you how to take your pot off the wheel.And clean up.”
“And a handle?”She pointed to the cup she was making.
“Yes.I’ll show you how to make one.Then when it’s dry in a day or two you can make another to attach to the cup.”
