I hadn't allowed myself to think about any other possibilities other than the one where she was my client.What if I let myself have what I'd always wanted?What's the worst thing that could happen?"You know this could blow up in my face, right?I've never really done anything like this before."
"I think we only feel this way about one woman in our lifetime," Ford said thoughtfully.
Ford dated Natasha in high school, and then they broke up when he enlisted in the Army.When they both returned to town, they were forced to work together.It didn't take long for them to fall back into old patterns and into a relationship.
It had worked out for them, but they had a more significant history.What did I have?A few flirtations, a kiss, and then the betrayal when I stood her up, left her feeling rejected."I don't know if I'm up for this."
"We're imperfect.We're bound to screw up.But if we're pure in our intentions, and we make an effort, I'm convinced that we'll be okay.Because at the end of the day, I love Angela.She doesn't expect perfection.She expects that I'm going to apologize when I screw things up and make it up to her.If I stopped caring, then there would be a problem."
I couldn't imagine not caring about Belle.I'd been out of my mind when I saw her lying on the bathroom floor."It's becoming physically impossible to keep my distance from her."
"So don't," Ford said simply, eyeing the game on the TV.
He made it sound so easy.I should trust my heart and do what felt right.What if that meant heading back to her shop and locking the door behind us so that I could finally kiss her without any onlookers or time constraints?
Hudson leaned over and slapped my shoulder."If you screw up, we'll be here for you."
"I don't know if I should take advice from you two."
Ford raised a brow."You think Morgan or Cooper would be any better?I don't think either of them have been in a serious relationship."
I shook my head."Maybe Aspen would have something to offer?"
Hudson snorted."If she goes through men like she goes through jobs?—"
"Don't talk about Aspen like that," Ford chided.
"Sorry, I just don't know about her sometimes.She works so many part-time jobs, and nothing sticks."
"She seems happy," was all I could manage.I wasn't in any place to give advice on how to live your life.
"She drives Mom crazy," Ford said.
"If Mom is focused on her job prospects, she's less likely to pressure us for grandkids," Hudson said.
"I'm fairly sure you're good for now since you have Ayla.She's one of us," Ford said, and Hudson nodded, his eyes getting a little misty.
"Ayla's the best part of you," I said.
Ford chuckled."Are you saying we'd take Ayla over Hudson?"
I leaned back in my chair, feeling more relaxed for some reason."Any day of the week."
"Hey," Hudson protested, but it was weak.He knew Mom adored Angela and Ayla.If something happened between Hudson and Angela, she wouldn't cut off ties with the woman.Not that anything would happen.Their relationship was solid.They'd gone through so much with the flooding of her store, then Rob trying to sabotage the reopening.
We ordered appetizers, nursing our beers while talking about work.
I couldn't help but wonder if I could have Belle if I wanted her.I wanted to go over to her store right now and act on every one of the impulses I'd held back over the years.
