Page 148 of The Last Close Call

“Does it freak you out, what I said earlier? That I’m thinking about our relationship long-term?”

She shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”

He traced the neck of her sweatshirt with his finger. “You know, I dated this woman once—”

“What was her name?”

“Heidi.” He frowned. “Why?”

“Because I want to know you. And that includes past girlfriends.”

She sat up and turned to face him. He sat up, too, and rested his arm on his knee.

“Anyway, she said she wanted to move in together. I kept making excuses why I didn’t want to, and finally we broke up. Our last argument, she told me I needed to grow up and start taking life seriously.” He looked at Rowan. “The thing is, I’ve always taken life seriously. That wasn’t the problem. I just wasn’t ready for that kind of relationship then. Everything is different with you.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked down.

“Hey.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Why are you crying?”

“Because. That’s so sweet.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you, Rowan.”

She sniffled. “I love you, too.”

He wrapped his arms around her and held her against him, and it felt warm and right, the way it always did. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder and let the feeling of pure contentment wash over her. She’d never felt it with anyone else. He held her close until she eased away.

“Do you really want to take a day off work to go mountain biking?

He laughed. “That was your takeaway from this conversation?”

“It was the most shocking thing you said.”

He sighed. “Yes, I really do.”

“Good.” She smiled. “Then it’s a date.”

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