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“Maybe I should tell her myself.”
“That’s not necessary.” His mom would likely chat with Lyric for half an hour, given the opportunity.
“Hi, Mrs. Hearst!” Well, the woman certainly didn’t sound like a fake girlfriend. She made it sound like she was his mother’s best friend.
“Oh, tell her I can’t wait to see her,” his mom pestered.
Sheesh. He should just give Lyric the phone.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you too, Mrs. Hearst!”
Thatch shot her a look. She really should tone down the enthusiasm, or his mom would start asking about wedding dates.
“Okay, Mom. I should go. This phone conversation is violating all kinds of dating protocols.” Not to mention digging them deeper into this fake-relationship black hole.
“Yes, of course, of course.” His mom clucked. “Let me know about dinner. And call me later, sweetie.”
“Will do. Love you. Say hi to Dad.” He hit the end button and tossed his phone onto the coffee table. “Her timing is impeccable, as usual.”
Lyric padded to the couch barefoot and sat next to him, her wet hair loosely braided. “Your mom seems like a wonderful person.”
“She is. She’s the best.” Thatch kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and leaned back against the cushion. “She sacrificed a lot, too, when I went into the navy. I know she worried constantly. But she never tried to stop me from doing anything I felt called to do. She never wanted to hold me back.” He couldn’t imagine how difficult that had been for her.
Lyric turned sideways to face him, pulling her legs up onto the couch. “That’s a gift.”
“It was.” The significance of his parents’ selflessness in letting him pursue his dreams was never lost on him. He appreciated them more than he could ever express.
Even when his mother was meddling in his love life.
“She’s serious about wanting to take you out to dinner when they’re out here. Friday or Saturday night.”
“I could make that work.” There was that shy look again. “If you want me to.”
He wanted her to. He wanted all kinds of things. But what he wanted didn’t matter unless she wanted him too.
“How about Saturday night?” Lyric hugged her knees to her chest. “We can all go to the café, and I can meet your brother and sister-in-law too.”
“Sure. Saturday works.” A years-old insecurity flickered back to life. What would he tell Liam and Sienna when things fell apart with Lyric? They’d all think he’d finally found the one, and then their breakup would be one more epic relationship failure.
“Whew.” Lyric let her head rest on the cushion behind her. “I’m exhausted. It was kind of a busy day for being on vacation, huh?”
“Definitely.” He glanced at the clock. Almost ten, which meant they should wade through the awkwardness of figuring out sleeping arrangements. “Hey, I can sleep right here on the couch tonight. I don’t want this to be weird for you.”
“Actually, today hasn’t felt weird.” Lyric lifted her head, her dark eyes focused on his. “At least for me. We can sleep in the same bed. I’m not going to make you sleep on the lumpy couch.”
There went that unlocking of his chest again. He couldn’t identify the emotion that flooded him. Relief? Want? “It doesn’t feel that weird to me either. But we don’t have to force anything. I don’t want you to feel pressure.” As tempting as she was, he didn’t even want to touch her until he knew she was ready for something more. He’d waited this long. He could keep waiting until she wanted to take another step.
“I appreciate you giving me space.” She covered his hand with hers. “And I’m starting to feel ready for more, Thatch. Really. I’m still figuring out what. But I like you. I’m attracted to you. And I’m glad I’m here. With you.”
For now, that was enough. He didn’t need to know anything else tonight. “I’m glad I’m here with you too. And I think it goes without saying that I’m attracted to you too.” He’d made that obvious in the pool, at dinner, during the hike. He hadn’t bothered to hide his long, lingering looks from her. But he was also determined to prove that his interest wasn’t only about sex. “Hey, do you want to watch a movie?” He pushed off the couch. “We could getcomfortable in bed and turn on the TV, relax, and fall asleep when we’re ready.”
“That actually sounds perfect.” Lyric stood up and crossed the room, brushing the rose petals off the pillows of the bed before climbing in. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep my eyes open.”
“You don’t have to try too hard on my account.” He was pretty tired himself. It took a lot of energy pretending to be her boyfriend for everyone else while also hiding from Lyric that he was in love with her. But he really was.
“What should we watch?” He grabbed the remote off the bedside table and climbed into the bed next to her.
“You choose.” She scooted closer and nestled against him, her head already on the pillow.
