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I wanted to believe it was different this time. That he was sure now. But I worried because now I had more than just me to think about. I had to consider Brendan. If Rhett became a permanent part of our lives and then decided he couldn’t do this, not only would he shatter my heart, but Brendan’s as well.
I dropped the earring I tried to put on and let out a frustrated sigh. My eyes drifted closed as I took a deep breath.
Pull it together.
Voices traveled up from downstairs, and Brendan’s excited giggles followed a moment later.
Oh God, he’s here.
Shaking off the nerves, I got the earring in and grabbed my purse before heading down.
My heart fluttered at the scene in the family room. Brendan on his back as Rhett blew raspberries on his belly. My stomach flipped, and I got a strange tug in my heart. He was always so good with him. This was the sign I was praying for; being reminded that Rhett had always been a part of his life. He knew what he was getting into.
George stepped up next to me and cleared his throat. Rhett’s eyes found mine, and my skin flushed as his gaze traveled down my body. Rhett scooped Brendan into his arms and slowly stood.
“Come on, squirt, let’s go find Grammy. See if she needs our help in the kitchen.” George took Brendan and placed his hand on Rhett’s shoulder. Leaning forward, he whispered something.
Rhett smirked and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
After George exited the room, Rhett glanced down, lingering on the hint of cleavage visible above my low-cut top. My breath caught when he moved quickly, and a second later, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me against his solid frame.
“You look amazing.” One hand cupped the side of my face, and his thumb brushed along my bottom lip. He leaned forward and, tenderly, his lips met mine. My stomach flipped from the soft sensation of his kiss. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” I said, more breathless than I intended.
But I still didn’t feel ready as we drove toward Jackson’s. Neither one of us had said a word since we’d gotten in the car. It had only been five minutes, but it felt like twenty with the silence. Even though everything seemed perfect, I still couldn’t shake the nerves that settled firmly in my stomach. I glanced over at Rhett; his hands gripped the steering wheel, and his eyes were intent on the road. Maybe he was nervous too.
I cleared my throat. “So, what did your dad say before we left the house?”
He glanced in my direction and shook his head. “He told me not to screw this up again and don’t forget to use a condom.”
“I knew I liked him for a reason.” I chuckled and relaxed back in my seat.
Rhett seemed to relax a bit too as one hand left the steering wheel. He reached over and grabbed my hand, bringing it to his mouth and pressing his lips to my knuckles. “Mom wanted to know when we’re getting married.” He rolled his eyes and we both laughed.
“She just wants more grandbabies, and she thinks we’re her only hope.”
“She’s probably onto something there. I don’t see any of the rest of them settling down anytime soon.”
“I’m nervous,” I blurted into the silence a moment later.
One corner of his mouth twitched. “I know.” He raised my hand back to his mouth and placed another kiss on the back of it. “But don’t be. This isn’t like last time. We’re together now, and it’s just a small group of close friends. Did you talk to Ashley?”
“Yeah, she’s meeting us there.”
“Huh. That’s surprising.”
“She said she needs to see us together with her own eyes. I don’t think she believed me.” I rolled my eyes. “Or she just wants to give us a hard time.”
“Yeah, that sounds more like her.” His thumb brushed against my knuckle, causing my stomach to flutter, but not because of nerves this time. “I have tomorrow off. I was thinking maybe you, me, and Brendan could pick up flowers for the gardens at the cabin and spend the day together planting them.”
“That sounds like fun.” I swallowed over the lump in my throat, knowing I needed to tell him I was leaving Monday. “Also, I wanted to let you know that Brendan and I are leaving Monday morning to go visit my dad for a few days.”
His brows shot up before his eyes narrowed on me. “You can’t delay that trip for a few weeks? So then I can try to get away and come with you guys.”
My teeth grazed my bottom lip as I nervously chewed on it, wondering if I should tell him about the interview. What good would it do? I wasn’t even sure I had any interest in the job, especially now that Rhett and I were together.
Maybe I should just wait until after the interview, and if it is something I want to consider, we can talk about it then.
