She processes that and tucks her hair behind her ears. “Okay, please don’t take this the wrong way...”
“Just ask, Shell.”
“He’s a man...” I smirk. “Shut up.” I laugh. “I just didn’t know you were into guys. Which is great. It’s not a problem, obviously.”
I laugh again because she’s flustered, and I’m not used to seeing that with her. “I know that, Shelly. You’re friends with pretty much everyone at Oakley’s Crew. I honestly thought you’d get them in the divorce.”
That makes her smile. Thank God.
I sigh. “I didn’t know I was into guys either, and quite frankly, I still don’t know if I am or not.” She looks at the clothes scattered on the floor, and her brow raises, and I get it. It’s confusing to me too. “I always knew when someone was attractive, guys and women, but I didn’t want to bang them.”
A startled laugh falls from her lips again, and she blushes. “What about me?” She looks worried now, a look of horror washing over her face. “Oh God, you weren’t forcing yourself every time we?—”
“No,” I stop her instantly. I will never let her think that. “No,” I say it again, firmer this time to get her attention. “I don’t know how to explain it, Shelly. I was attracted to you. I knew you were pretty, and then we fell in love. I was deeply in love with you and everything we had together—none of it was forced.” I need her to know this. I wasn’t some tortured man locked in a closet. I did love her. I was sexually attracted to her. I loved having sex with her, but when we started fighting so much, that’s when it all started to fade.
I can see her thinking, maybe still unsure. “And then after we got divorced...” She prods.
“Then I just wasn’t interested in anyone. Until Dakota.”
She must see something on my face, and I’m sure it’s the dumbass grin that always seems to be there when I think of that man. “Wow.”
“What?” I ask but can’t wipe the smile off my face.
“I’m just not used to you looking like that about anyone else.”
I laugh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “I know. It still grosses me out seeing you and Randy all goofy in love.”
“Is that what this is?” she asks me carefully, and I’m still smiling.
I don’t know if I should tell another person I’m in love with Dakota before I tell him, so I keep my lips locked. “I’m sorry, Shell. I planned to tell you but definitely not like this.”
She waves me off and struggles to get up off the couch with her pregnant belly but manages. “He’s hot. Wasn’t a hardship.”
I laugh and pretend to scowl at her as I stand up. “That’s my man. Keep your eyes to yourself.”
She cackles at that. “I’ll be back to get the kid tomorrow. Have fun.”
“Do you mind if she meets him?” I ask on our way to the front door. I’m not sure how I’ll feel if she says no, but we can discuss it.
Again, she just waves me off. “Nah. I think it’s adorable. Finally, Gabe.” She squishes my cheek. “All in loooove again.”
I roll my eyes at her, trying to give back her signature look, and she just laughs. “See you tomorrow.”
“Get home safe.”
“I think I’ll manage,” she sasses before heading out to her car. I watch her pull away and then hurry to my bedroom, relieved to see Dakota is still in my bed, though he’s sitting straight up and tense.
That just won’t do.
I walk over and kiss the tip of his nose before climbing into the bed and wrapping my arms around him, pulling him to lie down with me under the covers.
I feel the moment his whole body relaxes.
“I’m so sorry,” he softly whispers. “That’s not how I wanted to meet your daughter and your ex-wife.”
I snuggle into him. “Hey, Shelly was drooling a little, but other than that, it could have been worse,” I tease.
“You’re not mad?” he checks.
