Page 28 of Forever, Finally

“What? You think I have four babies by reading a book? You think your father wasn’t a passionate man?”

Jake dropped the rag into a bucket and held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Gotta go, Mom. Have a nice rest of the day.”

“You should listen to your mother,” she called after him. “I give good advice.”

Jake didn’t doubt that. What she said made sense. Taking things slow meant starting over—pretending the kiss last night had never happened. If he and Lily could go back to being friends, wouldn’t that be better for both of them?

* * *

Lily pulled into the driveway of Jake’s house shortly after five. After spending some time at her place, she’d gone to the mall, then a movie. Finally, with nowhere else to go, she’d driven back here.

She’d half expected Jake’s truck to be gone, but it was parked in the driveway. She frowned as she realized all the windows were open and rock music poured from the house. Was he having a party?

After grabbing her purse, she walked to the back door and entered the kitchen. Here the music was even louder, but that wasn’t what got her attention. Instead her gaze was captured by the mess. Every single pot, bowl and dish Jake owned were stacked on the counters or in the sink and the man who had probably done all that damage stood in the middle of the kitchen swearing at the stove.

He looked amazing, she thought wistfully as she took in the stained T-shirt and mussed hair. Strong and tall and safe. He was the kind of man who would always be there in a storm. He didn’t judge, didn’t demand. Instead he offered shelter.

After banging his fist on the front of the stove, he turned and caught sight of her. His eyes widened slightly, then he pushed a button on the portable stereo and the room fell silent.

“Hi,” she said as she dropped her purse onto a chair. “What’s up?”

He shrugged. “I’m making dinner. Lasagna. My mom’s recipe. It sounded pretty easy when I read the instructions, but things haven’t gone well.” He motioned to the pile of dirty bowls in the sink. “I had to start over a couple of times.”

Lily felt the corners of her mouth twitch. “Mr. I-Can-Only-Make-Chili decided to start cooking with lasagna?”

“Yeah. So?” He sounded faintly defensive.

“Oh, Jake, the individual directions aren’t that tough, but it’s a lot of steps and—” She pointed to the mess on the counter. “A lot of pots and pans.”

“I’ll clean it up.” He glanced at the stove then back at her. “I didn’t want you to have to be responsible for all the domestic stuff. That’s not why I married you.”

She sucked in a breath. “Why did you marry me?”

His dark eyes flashed with an emotion she couldn’t read and then it was gone. Silence stretched between them until she was sure he wasn’t going to answer. Then he spoke very quietly.

“Because I care about you. I’ve always cared.”

Caring. It wasn’t love, but it was so close. She took a tentative step toward him.

“I care, too,” she said. “You’re the most important person in my life. I don’t want to ruin what we had.”

“You didn’t. Last night…” He pulled his hands out of his pockets and let them dangle at his sides. “You’re pregnant, Lil. I don’t want to do anything to hurt you or the baby.”

Pain cut through her. Was that the truth or did he simply find her too cow-like?

Don’t go there, she told herself. Stick to the important stuff—like their friendship and what they were going to do now.

“No matter what, I want us to stay friends,” she said.

“Me, too. So let’s start over and go slowly. We have a strong relationship already. We can build on that.”

She liked the sound of that. “Good idea.”

He crossed the room and stopped in front of her. “I’m sorry,” he murmured as he tucked her hair behind her ears, then kissed her cheek. “About being a jerk.”

“You’re not a jerk. I was a jerkette.”

He smiled. “You’re entitled.”

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