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The customer leaves and I turn to face a hopeful Brent.
“I don’t know, Brent,” I admit. “You’re asking me to come on a family vacation and as far as we know, you’re the only one okay with me coming.”
Brent grabs my belt loops and pulls until the front of my thighs touch his legs. “It’s not really a family vacation. It’s my birthday trip. If it’ll make you feel better, I can clear it with the kids before we book your spot. But you have to come, Jamie.” He dips his head and kisses my neck. “You make me extra happy and I want to be extra happy on my birthday trip.”
Oh, now how can I say no to that? “You play dirty,” I whisper, causing him to chuckle and look at me.
“So, if the kids are good with you coming, you’ll come?”
“Yes, I’ll come.”
Brent grins, sweeps me up in his arms, and kisses me. My body relaxes in his arms. Just as I reach up to sweep my fingers through that crazy good head of hair he has, he pulls away and says, “Sorry. I’ll let you work now that I know you’ll go with us.” He steps away from me.
“I’m going to have to keep an eye on you, Brent.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a man who makes sure he gets what he wants. It makes me a little wary.”
Brent laughs, kisses my cheek, and says, “See you in the morning, hon,” before walking away.
“It’s official. You’re coming with us,” Brent says when we meet again to run Tuesday morning.
“Did you have to bribe them?” I ask, causing him to laugh.
“No. I asked if they would care if you came with us, they said no, and I said good because the only way you would come is if they were okay with it.”
I still can’t believe I’m agreeing to go on a trip with him and his family, or that I’m going to Alaska, which sounds really cool. At some point, I suppose I should let my parents know.
As we head inside for Brent to cook breakfast as part of our post-run routine, my cheeks ache from grinning at the sight of a big box of hot chocolate on the kitchen counter. This is especially perfect because I didn’t have time to stop this morning to buy one.
“Brent, you are perfect. Thank you.”
He glances over from his spot at the stove and smiles. “Welcome. Just wanted to make sure I had some if you ever wanted it. Mugs are in that cabinet if you want some this morning.” He nods toward a nearby cabinet.
I’m nearly giddy as I go about fixing myself a mug of hot chocolate. What he did may not be much, but it was still a thoughtful act and I’m excited about it. I love my hot chocolate, especially in the mornings.
“What days off do you have this week?” Brent asks.
“I’m off tonight and tomorrow.” I take a sip of my hot chocolate and ogle his entire backside from his shoulders to his butt to those delicious runner’s legs. “But I have a stupid paper to work on tonight.”
“Would you like to do something tomorrow then?”
“We could always have a night in. Or go out to dinner and then come here.” How do calves even look that good and muscular?
Brent’s laughter snaps me out of my staring and drags my gaze upward to see him looking at me from over his shoulder. “See something you like?”
“Most definitely.”
“I asked you which you’d rather do. Stay in tonight or go out tomorrow?” He brings over two bowls of eggs and grits and then grabs himself something to drink before sitting down next to me.
“Do I get to spend the night if I come tonight?”
He smiles. “You’re always welcome to spend the night, hon.”
Before I can reply, his phone rings from somewhere nearby. He lets it ring, but then it goes off again. Brent stands and goes to answer it. When he groans, I worry about who’s calling.
“Hey, Shannon. What can I do for you?” His eyes widen a bit and then he says, “Oh, congrats. That’s great. When are you telling the kids?” A few seconds pass while he listens and then he frowns. “You don’t need to do that. There’s no need for me to come. You can’t stand me, Shannon. Why would you invite me?” Brent rol
