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I fall onto the couch and sink back into the cushions, exhausted from unpacking. “Ugh, why did that have to take so long?” I whine, as though it wasn’t my idea.
“No one said you had to do it all as soon as you arrived,” Jesse laughs as my eyes fall shut. “We’ve got a lifetime.”
I bite back a smile. “Such a romantic notion until I’m looking for my bed socks at four a.m. because my feet are cold.”
“For one,” Jesse says, holding up a finger, “we have heating here. And two, please tell me the bed socks thing is a joke.”
I shrug, giving nothing away until he huffs out a laugh.
“You’ll love them; they’re so cozy. I’ll get you a pair.” I grew up in a mountain town. Thick, warm socks were necessary in the winter, and I’m not ready to part with them. “I can’t spend all my time naked or in sexy lingerie. Now that we’re living together, you will see me at my worst.”
Jesse playfully rolls his eyes before a smile brightens his features. “I can’t wait…and ditto.” He chuckles, making me laugh.
The irony is that I think we’ve both seen each other at our lowest points. I think we can handle the little things like bed socks, or clothes on the bathroom floor, or blanket hogging. The little things will be easy. As long as we support each other.
“Now that that’s done…” Jesse hedges again, dropping to his knees in front of me just as my phone rings. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He groans.
“Who is it?” I say with a smile, too tired to even lift my head. “Maybe we can ignore it.”
Jesse grabs my cell and checks the screen, shaking his head. “Nah, you’re not ignoring this one. I owe her big time.”
“Pippa?” I thought they were calling it even these days.
“Hell no. Sara. Without her genius and sneaky plan, you wouldn’t be here. Plus, she looked after you when I couldn’t. So, like I said. I owe her. Here. Take your time.”
He hands me the phone and stands up before walking into the kitchen, giving me some privacy. Not that I need it; we no longer have any secrets. It’s the one promise we made to each other. Unless they’re good secrets. Like if he wanted to surprise me with a trip to Paris, I wouldn’t be complaining.
As soon as I answer the phone, Sara’s at me in her motherly tone. “How was your flight? Was Jesse on time to pick you up? Are you settled in? I miss you.”
“Order of importance?” I say, with a smile, my chest tightening.
“Always.”
“I miss you too.” I pause and hear Sara sniff. “The flight was only a little delayed, Jesse was on time, and I’m all unpacked and settled.”
“All unpacked? That’s impressive. I didn’t call right away because I assumed you’d be having welcome home sex.”
I bark out a laugh because so did Jesse. “Jesse’s been trying.”
“Ha, I’ll bet. Grant tries for welcome home sex even if I’ve only been to the grocery store these days. He’s picturing life with two kids and trying to get as much as he can now.”
“Smart man. Although, we all know you're a superwoman. You’ll work it out.”
Something bangs in the kitchen, drawing my attention to see Jesse pulling a pot from the top cupboard before grabbing bits and pieces from the pantry. “I think Jesse’s given up. He’s now making us dinner.”
“You’ve got all the time in the world. You don’t need to rush anything.”
“You’re right; we don’t. But I do need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life.”
“Nope, that fits into the ‘anything’ category. You don’t need to rush that either. Take a breath, enjoy the peace and the little moments. Justbefor a while. You deserve that. You deserve the chance to figure out what you want on your own, in your own time.”
I bite back my emotions and quietly thank her. Once again, she’s my sounding board, calming me in a way no one else could, except Jesse.
“Are you sure you don’t want to move here?” I ask, walking over to join Jesse in the kitchen. “I’m sure they have ranches nearby. Horses travel.”
Jesse chuckles as Sara laughs. But then she pauses, and I can imagine her actually contemplating that idea before she laughs again. “Maybe one day.” She giggles. “For now, I’ll just be jealous. But…” She trails off, leaving me waiting with anticipation. “Before this baby makes me too uncomfortable to travel, we are coming to visit. Grant agreed that we deserved a mini escape before she arrives.”
“Yes!” I cheer, before realizing what she said. “She?” I gush. “You’re having a girl.”
