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I startle for a second as he slides onto the swing next to me with his own mug. He takes a sip and gives me a grin that makes me want to drag him back to his bed. He’s shirtless and his dark hair is messy. He looks so relaxed. Suddenly, I can picture us on this swing more. Cooking dinner together in his kitchen. Relaxing on his couch on a Friday night, watching movies with Theo and Pancake nestled beside us. I like this. My heart warms at the thought of that life with Preston. It makes me feel so warm and content.
“I didn’t know you were awake.”
“I couldn’t interrupt your quiet stealth moves to get out of bed.”
I cover my face. “You saw that?”
He grins and changes the subject. “What else do you think your mom would say?” He takes a sip of his coffee and stares out at the sunrise in the distance.
“She’d like you. I wish you could have met her.”
“Me, too.” He threads his fingers through mine and pulls me closer to him.
“What would you say to her?” I ask as I lay my head on his shoulder.
“I’d tell her that I don’t hate you. Not even a little bit.” He stares over at me and lays his forehead on mine.
“I’d tell her I don’t hate you, either. I never did.” I sigh deeply, filled with peace sitting next to him. How can something that felt so wrong feel so right suddenly? Maybe it wasn’t sudden. Maybe this was unfolding unexpectedly all along, like my mom said in my last letter.
Sometimes it will be unexpected.
Maybe she was right. Love isn’t like books. It’s messy and it’s unexpected. It’s not always a Prince Charming or Cinderella moment. It could be like this. And whatever this is? I love it. I’m starting to love him.
We swing like this for a while, his arm around me, pulling me closer. And I wrap him in the blanket with me, my head on his shoulder. Theo watches us from the yard, his head cocked, tongue hanging out. I need to go get Pancake for him.
26. paige
Big Love
After a shower together,Preston dries me off, kissing his way down my collarbone, wrapping me up, and warming me in one of his big, luxurious white towels.
“I like your tub,” I say as I look over at it longingly.
“You can use it anytime, Sunshine.”
“I’m going to take you up on that.”
“I have to take Evelyn to a doctor’s appointment this morning. Want me to drop you off at your van?” he asks. His eyes radiate softness and a look I haven’t seen much of since knowing him. Happiness and contentment. Another aspect of Preston I want more of.
“I have to check on Pancake. Evan and I pretty much share joint custody now.”
He nods and kisses my nose, handing me a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to wear home.
I hold them up. “You own gray sweatpants, and you’re just now letting me know this? How come I haven’t seen these before now?”
He laughs. “Let’s go. If you hurry, I’ll even get you a burrito on the way.”
“Say less,” I say as I quickly get dressed, obeying for the thought of a burrito. I’m famished after a long, late night with Preston. Who needs sleep when you’re deliriously falling in love with someone?
When he pulls up next to my van, he has me wait in his Jeep and finish my burrito while he starts it and gets the windows down to cool it off. It’s the little things, I tell you. This is a good man who looks out for me.
He opens my door. “Okay, it’s cooled down. You really need to get that in for a tune-up.” He pauses and crinkles his brow at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Are we still going to at least give each other some trouble?”
“Sunshine, I will never be done giving you trouble. We’re just beginning.” He tips my chin up and leans in and kisses me. “Watch out.”
He is so different from the man I thought he was. He has layers. And when you peel back the protective ones, he’s incredible.
