Page 60 of Fools in Love

“No, I’ve been wanting to tell you that again for a while now. I just… held off until I could do it in person.” He nudged her until she looked down at him. “I meant it. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” He pulled her down for a kiss.

“Me either.” She sighed. “I think that I’ll tell Patty I won’t be moving back into the apartment.”

His quick smile was all the answer she needed. “I’d like that.”

They ate dinner in the living room and watched television. When she fell asleep on the sofa, he carried her into the bedroom and held her tight as they both drifted off.

They woke to the sound of his phone. She missed his warmth when he rolled over to get it. Instead of answering it, she heard him send it to voicemail.

“Your dad again?” she asked.

“Unknown caller.” He turned off his phone. “Everyone knows to call you if they can’t get me.” He pulled her back against him again.

“What time is it?” she asked, holding in a yawn.

“Almost eight.”

She tensed. “In the morning?” She was a little disoriented since it was so dark in his room. One of the reasons she slept so good at his place was that he had light-blocking window coverings over the sliding doors that led out to his deck.

“Yeah,” he sighed. “How about we head down to your aunt’s place and have some breakfast before we get our dogs?”

She smiled and rolled over until they were nose to nose. “You read my mind.”

But instead of moving, he brushed his lips across hers, and she could feel his hands moving over her body, causing her desire to grow.

“Mm, after.” He rolled over onto her.

It was one of the most joyful days of her life. Even though the night before had been scary, she was now walking into her aunt’s bakery hand in hand with the man she loved. The man she now lived with. The man that she knew she wanted a future with.

Thanks to the power of small-town gossip, they were greeted with questions and concerns. Everyone was thankful she was okay but also curious about what had happened.

After about the fifth time telling the story, they finally settled down in a booth and ate breakfast. Kate had never allowed herself to get hooked on coffee, even though she loved it. For years, she’d forced herself to only have a sip or two. Now, she enjoyed a full cup while she ate the egg-white spinach wrap her aunt had made especially for her.

Tom had ordered a bacon-and-egg croissant and a large coffee. Before they finished the meal, her cousin sat down in the booth with them, and she had to retell the story one more time. Thankfully, before she was done, her aunt set a plate of apple turnovers on the table.

The wrap had been good, but she’d been craving something more. She’d missed her aunt’s turnovers. Actually, she’d missed everything her aunt made. Growing up, she’d indulged in what she could without breaking her diet. Now, even though her health was still on her mind, she could finally relax a little.

“Wow, you ate the entire thing,” Brook pointed out. “I haven’t seen you eat an entire turnover since…” Her cousin tilted her head as if she were thinking about it. “Ever,” she finished with a laugh.

“I no longer have weekly weigh-ins,” she pointed out. “Besides, with four classes a day, four days a week, I figure I’ll work this off… tomorrow.” She smiled. “Now we’re going to go pick up our dogs.”

“Oh.” Brook clapped. “I’ve been stopping in Carrie’s and playing with them as much as I can. They’re adorable. What are you going to call them?”

Kate looked over at Tom, but he just shrugged. “It’s all you.”

She’d thought about it and had come up with a couple of possibilities.

“Okay, I guess I need some help.” She pulled out her phone and started giving them her top ten choices. Since they were brother and sister, she’d picked famous brother and sister duos from history.

After running through her list, Tom finally jumped in. “You forgot a pair of sibling names.”

“I did?” She frowned down at her list.

“How about Luke and Leia?” he asked.

“Oh, I love it.” Brook clapped her hands.

Kate smiled. “It’s perfect.” She smiled and then hugged Tom. “I knew I was off the mark with all of these.” She shut her phone down, but seconds later it rang.