“Is it really that easy?”
“It’s that simple,” he says. “We’ll handle the speed bumps … and car seats … when we get there.”
“Car seats,” I repeat.
He knows. He’s not leaving my boys out of the picture and he doesn’t expect me to either.
“Okay,” I say. “We’ll go slowly.”
Then I tip my head up and kiss him again. It’s a shorter kiss, sweet and tender.
Then EJ steps back and says, “Goodnight, Angie. Let me know when you want to go out again. It doesn’t have to be dinner. I can be flexible. Just let me know.”
“I will,” I say. Then I turn and unlock the door.
EJ watches me until I’m inside with the door shut and locked behind me.
My hand lifts to my lips, my fingertips grazing over the skin.
He came in like a summer storm—unexpected and consuming.
I’ve known him forever, but everything feels new.
I smile to myself and then I head upstairs to get ready for bed.
My phone pings with a text just as I’m about to drift to sleep.
Laura: So? How’d it go?
Angie: I’ll tell you tomorrow.
Laura: In front of all our customers?
Angie: Definitely not. I’ll tell you in the back room between customers.
Laura: Was it good?
Angie: It was. Very.
Laura: I’m over here kicking my feet and squealing and Rob’s asking me what’s up.
Angie: Don’t tell him.
Laura: I won’t. I just told him a friend got good news.
Angie: I’m a mess.
Laura: I hear that. I was such a mess. Remember?
Angie: I do.
Laura: Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Angie: See you.
I set my phone on my bedside table. It buzzes one more time with another text. I assume it’s Laura, but when I pick it up, my smile fills my face.
EJ: Goodnight, Angie.
