Page 75 of Kissing Her Rescuer

She blinked, looking a little like a surprised owl. “Why areyousorry?”

“I didn’t listen to you. You told me several times that you wanted to buy the house. Earn the money. Provide for you and Carrie. Instead of supporting you, I did it for you.” He’d been so determined to take care of them, it hadn’t occurred to him that she had her own pride.

“I don’t know what to say.”

He smirked, ready for another major push back. “There’s more. We need to talk about our living arrangements.”

“Right. I understand if you want me to move out—”

“I'm moving in.”

Her mouth fell open. “What?”

“Do you love me?”

Eliza's chin tilted up, her shoulders squaring off. “Yes.” Such a stern declaration but it was the answer he wanted.

“Good. Then you need to realize that after tomorrow, your dad won't live here any longer. And I'm moving in. We don't have to share a bedroom or even be together, but I want to be closer to Carrie. And you.”

She crossed her arms. “Not share a bedroom? Dewey Mitchell, you know that rule wouldn't last five minutes with you in this house.”

Her teasing tone and confirmation that she loved him soothed over the rest of his anger. He crossed his arms, mimicking her posture. “I'm irresistible, I know.”

“That's not what I meant.” Her bottom teeth caught her lip as her eyes swept down his body and back up. “Not exactly, at least.”

“The only way you're ever going to believe that I'm not Zach, that I won't change is for you to have a front-row seat. The minute you say that you want to start seeing someone else, I'll leave.” He motioned between them. “But if you still want this, even without marriage, then I want to live with you and Carrie.”

It was a long shot. Not many men would announce they were moving into the house and expect their girlfriend to accept it. But giving Eliza space hadn't worked. All it'd done is to allow her imagination and worries to develop into huge problems that didn't exist.

He wrapped his arms around her, forcing away the last of his bitterness. Eliza needed forgiveness, someone steady who wouldn't budge or leave. He could be that rock. “I'll move in. Then, you’ll have the privilege of sleeping with me anytime you get the urge.”

“Ha!” She held herself a little stiff but didn't pull away.

“As long as you promise to talk to me. And I promise to listen to you.”

“I still hate it that you'll be taking care of everything.” She looked down. “Especially now.”

He tilted her chin up with a finger. “You contribute so much more than money.” He pushed a stray hair away from her face, wishing he could make her see it. See how much she meant to him. “But we can sit down and figure out what you want to handle, and I promise I’ll do everything I can tonotdo it for you.”

She laughed, only for a second, but it was enough. “Deal.”

“We don't have much time before we need to get ready for the rehearsal.”

Her face became serious again. “There is one more thing we need to talk about.”

“It'll have to wait. I sent Carrie to the shower. She'll need her hair washed. After I get your bags inside, I'll make you both something to eat.” They were back on solid ground.

She smiled and finally leaned up and kissed him, the feeling he'd been waiting on since she left. “I thought you could only cook scrambled eggs.”

“I can pop popcorn and make a sandwich. If you think you can eat?” He ran a hand over her thin shoulder. “Maybe a Coke?”

She blushed a little for some reason. “No Coke. I should be good with popcorn and water. Not too much salt.”

Everyone that huggedEliza said the same thing. They were happy she was safe and to never do that again. The harsher warnings came from Cameron and Becky, but she didn’t need the lecture. She’d already decided to try to run to Dewey next time instead of running away.

Since Dewey had declared himself moving into the house, she’d suffered a major case of butterflies. He'd said all the right things, and it left her waiting for the catch. There wasn't one.

Throughout the rehearsal at the church, and now at the rehearsal dinner at the Daylight Diner, Dewey had stayed glued to her side, Carrie always within his line of sight. The man had welcomed her back, even after her stunt. He'd forgiven her so easily and apologized. And she’d almost ruined her chance with him.

---