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“Did I say the wrong thing?” Nash asks, and we both turn to him.
“No,” I say, and step forward, releasing myself from Tanner’s grasp and kneeling in front of Nash. “It’s just I’m gonna miss teaching, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“You didn’t. It’s not your fault.”
He nods his head, looking up at his father. “What’s for dinner, Dad?” he asks.
“Burgers,” Tanner replies and Nash grins.
“Great. My favorite.”
He grabs his bag and runs to his bedroom, opening the door and closing it softly behind him.
I get to my feet and turn to find Tanner standing right behind me.
“Who’d have thought that would go so well?” he says.
“Not me. I was so nervous when you left.”
“Well… it seems you didn’t need to be. It looks like Nash has it all worked out.”
I lean back as he puts his arms around me and I gaze up into his perfect face, my hands resting on his chest. “You must take him seriously, you know?”
He frowns. “In what way?”
“In his relationship with Billie. I know he’s only eight, but you can’t underestimate his feelings just because he’s young. It means a lot to him.”
He rests his forehead against mine, and I feel him sigh against me. “And you mean the world to me.”
The three of us have had a lovely evening together. It seems Tanner makes great burgers, and we sat at the table while Nash fired questions at me. He wanted to know everything, from where I grew up, to why I wanted to be a teacher… and given the way I’ve been treated over the last couple of days, I’m wondering that myself.
I answered him as best I could, and when we finish eating, he goes to get ready for bed, while Tanner and I clear up.
“Sorry,” he says, as I pass him the glasses to load into the dishwasher.
“What for?”
“The inquisition.”
I smile. “I thought it was good, didn’t you? It means he’s interested.”
“Yeah, I think it does. It’d be so much worse if he’d sat and sulked, or didn’t care less who you were, or why you’re here.”
He pulls me into his arms, leaning back against the countertop and holding me against him.
“I like this,” I whisper.
“Hmm… me too.”
“Can I sit up and watch some TV?” Nash’s voice breaks into our moment, and I leap back, trying to free myself from Tanner’s hold, although he’s not letting go.
“Sure,” he calls and looks down into my eyes.
“He’ll see us,” I whisper.
“And? You’re in my arms. It’s where you belong.”
