Page 22 of Trying Not to Need You

With each note, she relaxes into me. Really relaxes this time, her head tipping just slightly closer to my chest. I let out a breath.

She’s all I’ve ever wanted.

I’m all in.

This isn’t new to me. I’m not shocked at the revelation. However, for the first time, it feels like she might be stepping into this dream with me, a willing participant.

The song ends, and another begins, but dinner is waiting. I press my lips to her temple and hug her tightly before reluctantly stepping away. It feels like I’m letting her go when all I want to do is hold her close. “Dinner is getting cold,” I say, offering her a reassuring smile.

“Thank you for cooking. I didn’t know that you could.”

“Takeout gets old, especially after years of living on the road, and the options in Magnolia Ridge aren’t exactly vast. Mom taught me when I was younger. It’s just a pain in the ass to make a meal like this for one person. So, thank you for helping me eat this.”

She surveys the counter, and her blue eyes snap to mine. “This is my favorite,” she whispers, but the smile she gives me lights me up inside.

“I know.” I wink, and I’m rewarded with a light pink flush to her cheeks. “Make yourself a plate. I’ve already got the dining room table set up for us. What would you like to drink?” I ask, rattling off the choices, but I know what she’s going to pick.

“You have strawberry milk?” she asks in disbelief.

“Of course, I do. I know it’s your favorite.”

“How do you—? You know what? Never mind.” She shakes her head, as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing but is going to go with the flow. “I’d love strawberry milk. I can get it if you show me where the glasses are.”

“I’ve got it. You make your plate, and I’ll meet you in the dining room.” I don’t even hesitate when I press my lips to her forehead, because she’s here, and even though I know she’s not—not yet—she feels like she’s mine.

Fucking finally.

Her breath hitches, and I don’t bother to hide my grin as I get to work making her some strawberry milk and pouring myself a glass of lemonade. Baylor makes her plate and pauses, reaching for the glass of milk, before carrying everything into the dining room. I’m quick to make my plate and join her.

“Candles?” She seems surprised. “And fresh flowers?”

I nod, setting my plate and glass on the table before sitting down. I make sure I have her attention before I answer. “You don’t know yet, but the CliffsNotes are that you… here with me like this… is something I’ve wanted for a long damn time, Baylor. You can bet your sweet ass that now that I have my shot, I’m not holding anything back. I want you to know what life with me will be like.”

“Life with you,” she muses.

I nod. “Let’s eat, and I’ll tell you everything.” Reaching over, I place my hand on top of hers. “Thank you for coming tonight, for giving me this chance to tell you where my head is at.”

“I’ll admit, I’m intrigued about this story you keep alluding to, but also, this is catching me off guard. There’s never been a time in my life that I ever thought you were interested in me, and now, I’m home, and this…” Her voice trails off.

“I know. I also know I came on strong today, and I’m hoping you’ll understand more after we eat.” I nod toward her plate. “It’s getting cold.”

“Bossy,” she mutters.

Instead of replying, I smirk and dig into my meal. We eat in silence for a few minutes, nothing but the low hum of the speaker in the kitchen and forks against plates. “How are things at the inn?” I ask her.

She looks up from her plate, a look of surprise on her face. “Oh, um, good. Ellie complains about the books, but she’s great at it. They were all caught up, so there’s not a whole lot for me to do during the day. I know when Ellie has the baby, I’ll take over some of her management tasks, but after that, I’m not really sure they need me full-time.”

“Is that what you want? Working at the inn full-time?”

She shrugs. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve loved being back, being with my sisters again, but I don’t want to get paid to work a few hours a day, and then have nothing.”

“What about doing what Leighton does? Work for the inn and do some freelance work for other businesses in town. I know you could help out here with my business, and I’m sure that Bowen and Copeland would be willing to hire you, as well.”

“Yeah?” she asks, her eyes lighting up with interest. “I guess I haven’t thought too far ahead. I’m just jumping back in, letting Ellison catch me up on what needs to be done while she’s on leave, and then I’ll go from there,” she says, pushing her plate away. “I can’t eat another bite. That was delicious.”

“I have ice cream sundaes… well, the makings for sundaes for dessert,” I tell her.

“Really?” she asks, then groans. “Let this settle first, then maybe.” She grins. “I love ice cream.”