Page 95 of Lee

“But…” Her brow furrowed. “Why?”

That simple question hurt Lee’s heart since it revealed that she did not understand how amazing she was. No one had ever let her know that she was worth something to them. That she was worth loving.

Lee looped Elsa’s leash handle around his wrist, then reached out and took her hands in his. Her fingers grasped his tightly as she clung to him.

If she’d been a different kind of woman, he might have thought she was fishing for compliments. However, he was fairly certain that Rori really didn’t understand why he wanted to be with her. So, if she needed to hear the words, then he’d happily say them.

“You are amazing. I love your caring heart and how you treat the people around you. I love it when we talk, and hanging out with you has become one of my favorite things to do. You’re special to me.” Letting go of her hand, he reached up and brushed his fingers across her cheek. “And to top it all off, I think you’re beautiful.”

She blinked rapidly, her hand tightening around his. “I can’t believe that.”

“Why not?” Lee asked. “It’s all true.”

“I’ve just never…” Again, her words trailed off, leaving Lee to fill in the blanks.

“You’ve never dated?”

She tilted her head. “No. I have. But it’s never been like this.”

“What do you mean?”

Her gaze dropped to their clasped hands for a moment, then her gaze met his again. “This just feels more… important.”

Lee’s chest swelled with the emotion her words brought forth. It felt important to him, too.

In the past, he’d had a vague sense of the future with the women he’d dated. With Rori, however, he already had a pretty clear picture of what their future could look like. What he wanted it to look like.

He felt so at ease with Rori, and he hoped she felt the same way with him. She fit so well into his life, and his family liking her was a definite bonus.

Given the ups and downs of his previous relationship, he really wanted one that brought him peace and happiness. He’d experienced that whenever he was with Rori, and he wanted more of it.

She just had to agree to go out on this first date with him, and he was confident that there would be many more in their future.

“Though I’m a little scared, I still want to say yes.”

“Are you worried about what people at work might think?” Lee asked, wanting to know what was making her feel scared. “Or what might happen if the date doesn’t go well?”

Her gaze dropped, and she didn’t reply right away. Lee waited, not wanting to rush her, though he was anxious to hear what she had to say.

“All the above, I guess. Plus, the friendships I’ve made with people in your family. It would be hard to lose all that.”

Lee could understand why she felt that way, and he wanted to make sure she understood that it wouldn’t happen the way she feared. However, he doubted she’d just take him at his word.

“It is a risk,” he agreed. “But I don’t like to start something by thinking about it ending. I’ve gotten to know you a little over the past few weeks, and I wouldn’t have asked you out if I didn’t think there was a good chance of things working out.”

“Working out?” she asked. “Working out how?”

Did he dare mention that he was looking for something long-term? That he wasn’t after just a few casual dates or someone to pass some time with?

“I’m not asking for just one date,” he said. “I want to see if we could have something long-lasting.”

Rori’s eyes widened as she stared up at him. “Long lasting?”

“Did you think I was just talking about one date?”

She shrugged as she rubbed her fingertips against her lips. Her gaze lowered as she said, “I assumed it was just one. That’s all it usually is.”

Lee could hear the edge of hurt in her words, and it made him want to wrap his arms around her. “Well, I want more. I want all the dates you’ll give me.”

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