Page 24 of Everything I Promise

We segue into small talk and he has to take off on another call before too long. I rub my hand over my face, exhaustion already settling in my bones and I haven't even started any work yet.

I feel bad getting territorial about Lacey with Brad but I can’t help it. She’s mine. Even if she isn’t ready to admit it yet. These last few weeks have really proven to me that she is what I want. Seeing her with her family, and her son has shown me that her kindness is the complete opposite of Elizabeth. Which is exactly what I want.

And I will show her that she deserves the world, a world that I want to give her.

After working all day without a break, my stomach rumbles. I realize that it’s dinnertime and I haven’t had anything but coffee and a breakfast sandwich all day. At least my head stopped pounding after the second cup. I don’t really feel like going home and sitting with Preston and Scarlett. I love them both. But feeling like a third wheel all the time is growing old.

I go back down to the salon to pack up my tools and organize the mess I've made with the materials. Once I pack up I'm going to go grab some food at the diner.

“Hey, big guy!” Oliver’s voice nearly makes me jump out of my skin. I didn’t even hear anyone come in, I was too focused on organizing.

“Hey, buddy! It’s great to see you.” And it is, once I've recovered from the mini heart attack of hearing another voice in here.

Oliver runs over to me in excitement and as usual, takes me out at the knees.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask him.

“Hey there, I figured since you didn’t call and ask me how to set the alarm, I stood a good chance you were still here.” Lacey is tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and looking at the floor. I step toward her and place my hand under her chin, pulling her face to mine. I hate that she always feels like she is doing something wrong.

“You were right. I’m still here, Lace. I’m glad you’re here too.” I look into her eyes, “Now care to tell me what is in that basket?” I nod to the basket sitting on the floor next to her feet.

“It’s nothing. I just thought you might be hungry. Mom invited Scott over for dinner and I thought we should make ourselves scarce. It wasn’t very hard to convince Oliver, so we packed a picnic for you. And us. That is if you want to eat with us. You’re totally welcome to take it home and we can just go to the park.” She is talking so fast I know she’s unsure about their gesture, something I assume she would have been yelled at for with Michael.

“Lace. Slow down. I would love to have a picnic with you and Oliver.” Oliver must have heard his name because he comes running into the office again after exploring.

“Big guy! I made you a sandwich! Do you like Fluffernutter sandwiches?” He is jumping up and down with excitement.

“I sure do! How did you know my favorite dinner?” I place my hands on my hips and a smile spreads across his little face.

I spread out the blanket he brought to me so we could sit on the floor in the office.

Oliver hands me the basket and I set out all the items he and Lacey brought. He makes sure to tell me that I have two sandwiches in the bag because Lacey assured him I would need more than one. Thank goodness for that.

He also packed his favorite chips, and some chocolate chip cookies they made this afternoon. They are still warm according to Oliver, but we can only eat them after dinner. Last but not least, he produces milk for the three of us to go with the cookies.

“Wow. This looks like a feast fit for a king.” I exclaim and squeeze his shoulders in thanks.

I can tell that Lacey let him have a big say in what got packed. She’s sitting off on the corner of the blanket, self conscious about the dinner, thinking I won’t like it. I grab around her waist andpull her over to us. I lean in to whisper in her ear while Oliver is off to grab waters from the cooler I have out in the salon. “Lace, this is perfect. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I was just thinking how I didn’t want to go home and be third wheel with Preston and Scarlett.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Colton. Seriously. You probably haven’t eaten any of this since you were a kid and I appreciate you acting excited for Oliver.” She waves me off.

I cup her face in both my hands and stare directly into her eyes. “Lacey. Listen to me, again. This is perfect. It means so much to me that you guys even thought about me. I love fluffernutter sandwiches. I also really love fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies and milk. So stop. Stop second guessing yourself.” I kiss her forehead. I can't recall a time when Elizabeth ever came to my job site concerned about whether I was hungry or not.

She swallows hard and I can see the lust in her eyes. I take my chances on a quick kiss.

Once my lips touch hers I can’t force myself to pull away but I hear Oliver’s footsteps coming back and I know she doesn’t want him catching me kissing his mom.

“Okay,” Lacey whispers as soon as I pull away.

We enjoy our picnic dinner full of laughs and playing around. Oliver has gotten really into knock knock jokes, but he doesn't quite understand how they work. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard, and Lacey still has tears in her eyes from laughing. Oliver of course thinks he is now the king of jokes. I haven’t had this much fun eating sandwiches on the floor in years.

Elizabeth would never be caught dead eating a picnic on the floor or visiting me at a job. Or thinking of me at all for that matter. She was too busy spreading her legs while I was out making a home for us and the children she never intended to give me. That was my prize for doing theright thingandmarrying her to unite the families. Unfortunately, neither love nor my father’s acceptance ever came.

The simplicity of just spending time with these two is something I will never take for granted. Lacey cares so much in such a quiet way, grand gestures and material things won't make her happy. It's a breath of fresh air.

After dinner is over we have about an hour before Oliver has to get home to start getting ready for bed, so I convince Lacey to let us walk to the playground while she goes and enjoys dessert at the diner by herself. After a few arguments about it being too dark, she finally relents.

“Ready, buddy? I’ll race you to the swings!” I yell after I already start to jog away.

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