Page 33 of The Way Love Heals

Nyle climbed inside his truck, and the corners of his lips curved.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I questioned with my head tilted.

“My folks. They like you.”

“Are you sure? Because Lela Mae scares me.”

He released a hearty, contagious laugh. “She tries to act scary when it comes to us, but she’s really a big softy. She separated from my grandfather for similar reasons to you and AJ’s father, so she can relate to you.”

“Do you know your grandfather?”

“Nope. I never did. He wasn’t in Renee’s life, which meant he wasn’t in ours either. When Nannie left him, he left her and Renee.”

“Is Renee an only child?”

“She is, which is sad for Nannie because her relationship with her only child is nonexistent.”

“For good reason, but she was blessed with you and your siblings. I guess you can say it’s one good thing Renee did.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“And by the way, my brothers vibe with you, too, which means they’re going to tell my parents about you.”

“Oh, hell.” Nyle leaned back in his seat and scrubbed his hands down his face before turning to look at me. “I guess we better plan something for me to meet them soon, huh?”

“You better know it.” I giggled. “I had to go through it, and so do you.”

“That’s only fair. You gotta make sure AJ is there too. I want him to feel better about what we have. You’re a package deal, and it won’t be fair if half the package is damaged.”

“Ooo, okay!” I snapped my fingers. “That really worked on me. I’ve always said I desire a man who isn’t only in it for me, but for AJ as well. The fact you said we’re a package deal without me having to explain it speaks volumes, Nyle. Thank you for thinking of my baby too.”

“To a real man, that’s a no-brainer. If a man can’t accept a woman and her children, then he’s not the man for them. Plus, AJ is one of my kids as well. I claim every child I meet, whether it’s brief or lengthy. He accepts and respects me as a coach, but I also want him to do the same as . . .”

“As mine?”

“Only if you accept me as that as well.”

“What are you trying to ask me, Nyle?”

“Listen.” He leaned over the center console. “I know I’m a work in progress, but you’re one of the main reasons I’m able to do the work. You encourage me to do so without judgment. Nannie always told me I’d know when the one walked into my life, because she’d become a part of my healing process. You’ve become an intricate part of that, Brittish. In my heart, I know what it is with us. I know what I feel, but I also don’t want to move too fast. I don’t want us to be on different tracks. We need to take each step together, so if you’re not ready, I’m good with that, but it won’t stop me from pursuing what we’re doing. I’m in too deep already.”

Listening to his confession had me on the verge of tears. He sat there, pouring his heart out to me, and I accepted every part of it. There was no question in my heart that Nyle was for me.

With my elbow on the console, I met him halfway, gently caressed the side of his face, and expressed, “I’m in just as deep as you. You’re not the only one being healed through all this. Every day, I feel you putting a piece of my heart back together from the shattered mess it became. Being yours will make me the happiest woman in Maven Falls and probably the entire damn world. So, if you’re asking if we can put a title on us, hell yes.”

We sealed the deal with the wettest, nastiest kiss that made my center quake and my soul fulfilled. Who would’ve thought a one-night stand would lead to me finding the man I’d been praying for all along.

I opened my laptop and let it power on before getting onto the internet to have my monthly call with my therapist. Brittish had spent the night with me, so she was in my bedroom, knocked out from the middle of the night sex she’d initiated. When I woke up to the feeling of her mouth on my dick, my toes curled, and I thought of how it could become a routine thing for us. Outside of our first night together, it was the first night we’d spent together as a couple, and I loved holding her in my arms until we fell asleep. Everything with her flowed so effortlessly.

The sound of pinging caught my attention. I answered the video call and grinned upon seeing Dr. Morgan.

“Good morning, Nyle. How are you?” she asked, adjusting her posture with her notebook and pen in place.

“I’m well, and yourself?”

“I’m good. Thank you for asking.” Intently, Dr. Morgan studied me as she tapped her pen against her mouth and pushed her glasses up. “Something is different about you. There’s an aura, a good one, that I haven’t seen in a long time. Tell me. What has you like this?”

“Well, Dr. Morgan. I met someone, and I really like her.”