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“I do. Those months after my mom died… I couldn’t sleep… and every night you would stay on the phone with me until I drifted off.” I fought back the sadness that always came whenever I thought of my mom, and instinctively, my fingers found the chain around my neck. “Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night, and the phone was still on, and I could hear you breathing.”
“So, why don’t you tell me about what animals you guys saw at the zoo, and I’ll tell you about my day until you’re able to fall asleep?”
“You know… lions and tigers and bears… oh my.” I laughed loudly and covered my mouth with my hand.
He chuckled. “Okay, Dorothy. Rest your eyes while I tell you about the crazy thing that happened at work today.”
“Mm-hmm.” I mumbled as I let my eyes close, listening to the rhythmic sound of Rhett’s voice, praying that he would truly understand and support me if I decided I wanted to take the position in Asheville.
Rhett
Listening to Bella’sbreathing as she fell asleep last night made me wish she was in my arms. I hated being away from her, and I wanted her to stay with me as many nights as possible. I had to up my game and convince her to take the marketing position here. But one thing at a time. First, I needed to show her that she and Brendan had a place here in my home.
Hopefully the surprise I had planned, with some help from my parents and Ashley, would truly make her feel comfortable at my place.
Ashley came over that morning and helped me paint, but then she had to go into work. My mom and I went shopping for the things I would need, and my dad helped me carry in some of the furniture.
“Don’t you think this might be too soon?” my dad asked, setting his side of the dresser down.
“What do you mean?”
His brows furrowed, and I knew I was in for a lecture.
Fucking great.
“This is a big deal, Rhett. You guys just got back together less than a week ago, and now you’re moving them in with you. Is Bella going to think this is too much too fast?”
He was wrong; she wouldn’t. At least I didn’t think so.
“I’m not moving them in. I just want her to feel comfortable staying here.” I focused on moving the dresser to the spot where I wanted it.
“She’s going to see this as so much more. Are you ready for that? You need to make sure you’re thinking with your head.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me.
“It’ll be fine. I mentioned on Sunday the possibility of staying over occasionally, and she seemed fine with it.” I shrugged.
“Sometimes I wonder about you,” he said as he shook his head. “This is more a ‘move in with me’ than a ‘stay the night’ type of gesture.”
“So be it then.”Fuck. That sounded harsher than I meant for it to. “I mean, as much as you and mom love having her—she’s not living withmyparents forever.”
What the hell was his problem? Everyone else seemed to be excited that Bella and I were moving in the right direction. But my dad was suddenly bringing up all the ways it could backfire.
“George, you leave that boy alone and stay out of it,” my mom barked as she entered the room. “They’ve been dancing around this for years. I think they both know where it’s going. And I think this is the sweetest gesture. Bella is going to love it.”
“Fine. I guess this old man doesn’t know anything. You know, I’ve only been married for thirty-five years and have five grown kids.” He continued with his tirade, mumbling as he left the room. “But no, I have no clue what I’m saying. I swear if Bella gets hurt again.…”
I was yanked back to the conversation with Bella about her dad’s comments. Why did everyone think I was going to hurt Bella again?
Jesus, can I do nothing right?
My mom and I began setting everything up. But I couldn’t seem to shake my dad’s words. I was nervous. What if she thought this was too quick, or what if my dad was right and she took it for more than what I intended? Although I wasn’t opposed to her and Brendan living with me, I just wondered if my dad was right. Was it too soon?
“Boy, get outta your head. Stop overthinking and don’t listen to your dad. It took him forever to get up the nerve to kiss me, but once he did, he put us on a fast track and asked me to marry him less than two months later.”
“I just don’t want to do anything to screw this up.”
“I know.” She patted my arm. “Just remember to communicate, and you won’t. If she thinks this is too fast, then talk about it. But I don’t think she will.”
An hour later, I stood in the doorway, taking in the room, proud of the work my mom and I put in. Bella was going to love this. She would see I was just making sure they were comfortable when they stayed here.
