He runs his fingers through his loose waves. I track the casual movement I’ve come to recognize as a habit. It’s amuch-needed reminder that this is Griffin, and I’m safe with him. Safe to take my time. Safe to tell him what I need.
I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my cheek on his chest. “Thank you. For wanting to take care of us. I just… can I think about it? It’s a lot to process.”
His arms envelope me, and his lips press to my forehead. “I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
I smile up at him. “How about a tour?”
“This your way of getting me to show you my bedroom?”
I run my index finger down his chest and pop the top button of his flannel shirt. “I have much more efficient ways of doing that.”
His dark chuckle reverberates off the empty walls and settles in the pit of my stomach. “Come on. We’ll start over at the front door.”
Four beds, three baths, the most glorious kitchen, and a backyard I could get lost in. I don’t know how to say no to this, but I don’t want to jump in with both feet and end up regretting it.
I bring us to a stop in the living room, near the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the front yard, with its towering evergreens and empty flower boxes, just waiting to see fresh blooms.
“If I were to move in, what would that look like? Would I have my own room? Share with the baby?”
His brows shoot up as he wraps his arms around me and pulls my body flush against his. “Let me make one thing perfectly fucking clear. When you move in here—when, not if—I expect you to sleep in my bed, preferablyin my arms. If you’re worried about being too far away from tater tot, we’ll get a bassinet. One of those special ones that attaches to the bed so he’s close by. I want you with me. Always.”
My spine tingles from the grit in his voice and his potent scent swirling around me. I inhale a ragged breath to center myself.
He continues. “I spent a long time wrestling with the guilt of stealing you away from Tyler, but I can’t fucking do it anymore. Not after everything he’s done. It’s understandable that you’d have some doubts. But I want you to know I’m in this. I can’t hold back anymore. I need you, Angel. More than you fucking know.”
A quiet laugh bursts out of me. “If this has been you holding back, I’d hate to see what it looks like when you’re all in.”
“Does it scare you?” he asks earnestly.
“Honestly? A little bit.”
“Anything worth having is bound to be a little scary at the start.”
I point the sunflower at him, still clutched in my fist. “You know, sometimes you open your mouth, and Evelyn Hayes comes out.”
“She raised us right.” He shrugs. “With any luck, I’ll pass some of that wisdom down to my son someday.”
“Daughter.”
He grabs a quilt off the back of the sofa and takes my hand, leading me out the sliding doors to the backyard. He lays the quilt on the grass and motions for me to sit. I cradle my bump as I sink to the ground. He joins me, lying on his back with his feet crossed at the ankles and his elbow propped behind his head. Following his lead, I lie back and stare up at the fluffy white clouds moving slowly across the vibrant blue sky.
“What do you see?” he asks.
I point skyward, squinting as the sun peeks out and dips back behind a cloud. “Hmm. That one looks vaguely like a bunny.”
“Looks more like a dinosaur to me.”
“Fine. What doyousee then?” I ask.
“My future.”
I glance up at him, brow furrowed, only he’s not looking at the clouds anymore. He’s looking at me.
His palm flattens on my belly, and a soft flutter precedes a strong kick.
Griffin sucks in a sharp breath. “Holy shit.”
“Swear jar,” I tease him.
