Seeing the uncertainty in his eyes confirmed her suspicions they still had a long way to go, but conversations like this one were helping them get there. “And now I’m not really afraid anymore.” He tipped his head, studying her, and she conceded. “I can’t say that I never let doubt creep in because I do. I’m only human. But the more time I spend with you the more time I want to spend with you.”
His smile was slow, as though he was considering her response. “I like that.”
“I like it too.” She rolled forward on her toes to kiss him. “I like moments like this, just talking. Hanging out and watching TV.” She lowered her voice, whispered in his ear, “And I love the way we cap off the day.”
He’d either been spending the night at her place or she’d stayed at his. Despite her earlier protests that she didn’t want to cross that line, they were crossing it and she didn’t mind.
He smacked her bottom, before a warning light flashed in his eyes. “You keep talking like that and we’re never going to get to your parents.”
“The sooner we leave the sooner we can get home.”Home.Sharing a home with Loran was starting to sound better and better to her.
***
“You guys look happy.” Grace smiled as she watched Loran pick up her daughter and toss her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry as he raced toward the tent they’d built with blankets in the sunroom.
“We are.” Bella was still afraid to jinx it, but she was getting tired of denying the truth. Loran did make her happy. “He’s a really good guy, Gracie.”
“Isn’t that what I’ve been trying to tell you?” she asked, nudging Bella in the ribs with her elbow.
“I couldn’t let him get too close,” she whispered, turning to face her friend, her back to the group. “If I started needing him and he left me—”
“That’s a risk we all take when we fall in love, honey,” Grace said, looking sympathetic. “You wouldn’t know that, since you’ve never allowed yourself to fall in love before, but what you’re feeling, your fears, it’s perfectly normal.”
Grace knew it was. She’d talked to her therapist years ago about what it mean to let someone into her life, so she understood some of the reasons she’d chosen to keep men at arm’s length.
“He says he wants to get married, have a family someday.”
“And how do you feel about that?” Grace asked, watching the shenanigans over her friend’s shoulder.
“He’s great with kids,” Bella said, stealing a glance at Loran over her shoulder. “There’s no denying that.”
“That he is. It’s obvious he’s ready to be a dad.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I’ve known him awhile. Ethan’s known him even longer, and he said he wasn’t always like this. Their teammates had kids, but Loran wouldn’t play with them the way he does with ours. He’d be sweet to them, of course, but he wouldn’t be like this.” She gestured to Loran, who was lying on the floor, tickling Emma’s tummy while she squealed with delight and kicked her legs.
Loran caught Bella watching them and smiled, looking slightly embarrassed at being caught.
“Can you give me a hand in the kitchen?” Bella’s mother asked, touching her shoulder. “I need to get the desserts ready.”
“Sure.”
Bella excused herself and followed her mother into the kitchen, but as soon as they were alone her mother gave her a curious look. “So, you and Loran? How long has that been going on?”
Bella found a platter in a cupboard and started cutting up a tray of brownies. “A little while.”
“Yet we’re just hearing about it. Why is that?”
She shot her mother a side-long look before asking, “Why? You don’t approve?”
“I didn’t say that. You know how much your dad and I like Loran, but he doesn’t seem like your type. You usually go for guys who are… safer.”
Her parents knew her too well. “I know Loran is different, but I think he’s good for me. Pushes me out of my comfort zone, so to speak.”
“Is it serious?”
Bella had expected this question, but still wasn’t sure how to answer. If she said it was, her parents would be looking for wedding venues, and she didn’t want to go there. Yet.
