But is it too soon to say them? It feels ridiculous not to since we’re already spending nearly every night together. I need to slow my roll though. It’s been a little more than a week since the first dance lesson, when she spent the night and I made her breakfast in the morning. Barely even a week and a half since she strong-armed me into doing the fundraiser.
How am I already thinking about all these next steps with her?
But you are. You can barely think about anything else.
That’s the thing. She’s top of mind, and the more time I spend with her, the more time I want to spend.
As I watch the dogs play, I clench my jaw, trying to figure out how the hell I wound up in this spot so soon after getting out of a terrible romance. This is not what I moved to Darling Springs for. To fall for someone I work with. To fall for someone I have all these endless entanglements with. If we’re together, then all these boundaries I’ve built at work will be pointless. I’d go from Mister Serious Boss to the smitten guy who’s crazy about the woman who works five freaking feet away in a pink-and-white dog training nook. So crazy for her I’ve been leaving her roses and cinnamon rolls every day.
And yet, maybe I’m ready for those boundaries to come down.
I let out a long exhale, weighing that option.
Best to be sure though. I’ll give myself a few more days. Invite her to spend the night again. Get through the fundraiser. Then maybe ask her to be—I swallow roughly—my girlfriend, after we perform.
Yeah, that sounds like a plan. It feels…like a responsible one too. One I’ve considered from all angles.
I turn to meet her gaze and start implementing. “Chloe, want to stay over tomorrow too? And maybe we can go to your place on Wednesday?”
Her smile is teasing. “Look at you with all your planning.”
“Just trying to be efficient.”
She laughs, then pats my chest. “Right. All about efficiency.”
She sees right through me, and I think I love it. I love it, too, when she says, “And the answer is yes to both. But we should stay here. It’ll be better for Mister Dog.”
My heart squeezes. “You’re right. And thank you.”
But she really sees through me when she turns to meet my eyes. “Are you inviting your parents to the fundraiser? Or your sisters?”
Talk about a surprise. “I…” That’s a good question. I pause. “I haven’t told my folks. I did mention it to my sisters, but I’ve deliberately avoided the details.”
Her smile is soft but encouraging. She doesn’t back down though. She never has. “You should, don’t you think?”
“Why?”
“Your sisters know you do karaoke. So does your friend Monroe, you said. But has anyone really heard you sing recently? Besides me.”
That’s an even better question. I stare up at the stars flickering in the inky night sky, then back down at her, shaking my head, feeling a little called out but not in a bad way. “No. It’s been a while.”
“And your dad? Does he know?”
I shake my head.
“Any reason?”
I blow out a breath. “Damn, you don’t pull punches.”
“You’re right. And that’s why you like me.”
Her confidence is addictive, just like her. I take a beat, then dig down and offer up the unvarnished truth. “It just never fit the image.”
“Of the professional?”
“Yeah.”
She squeezes my arm. “He seems like a good man. A supportive man. I bet he’d enjoy it.”
