Page 75 of Point of Contact

Glancing down at where the woman who passed on more than just her cooking skills still slept in her chair, he blew out a breath. Maybe he shouldn't have been surprised that his mother and Courtney were getting along after all. "Fine. I'll make sure she's dropped off in the morning."

Even if he wasn't available to do it, he could absolutely make sure Courtney got a ride to his parents’ house every day. But, while he was in town, he planned to be selfish and make sure she spent her nights with him.

Courtney beamed at him, her smile bright and soft. "Awesome."

He moved in, taking his dad’s chair from her. "I'll help him. You wake my mom up."

She didn't hesitate at the task he'd given her, making him wonder just how well she was getting along with his mother. Courtney was gently shaking her by the shoulder as he wheeled his dad down the hall. He helped him brush his teeth and get changed into his pajamas before moving him to the bed his parents shared and tucking him in. "Good?"

His dad nodded. "Really good."

Reed started to walk away but his dad reached out, not managing to grab him, but able to tap his arm. He paused, waiting as his dad collected his thoughts and slowly turned them into words.

"I'm glad you found someone. You've been alone too long."

He was right, but not entirely. "I have been single, but I haven't been alone." He patted his dad's hand when it fell back to the bed. "I've had you and mom."

His dad’s crooked smile slipped. "We won't be around forever. I know you planned your life around us, but you need to start thinking about the future." His eyes held Reed’s. "Yourfuture."

His chest got tight at the meaning behind his father's words. On one level he understood it, but planning his life without including his parents would never happen. Not because of responsibility or other guilt, but because they were important to him. He wanted them in his life. Always.

His eyes lifted as Courtney peeked into the room, giving him a tenuous smile.

"Go." His dad rocked his head to the door. "You have other things to do now."

His father didn't seem upset, but the comment didn't sit right. It made it seem like his parents and Courtney had to be two separate pieces of his life. And that's why he'd been single. That's why he hadn't dated since his father got sick. He was already living two separate lives with his job and his parents, he didn't have time for three.

And he didn'twantthree.

Courtney gave his dad a little wave and a soft smile. "Good night. I'll see you tomorrow."

Her obvious comfort being around his parents was a perfect example of why Courtney, in all her snarky, difficult glory, was so easy to love. She was the perfect fit. Nothing had to adjust to make room for her. Nothing had to change for her to have a place.

And she saw him for all that he was and all that he lacked and accepted him anyway. Pushed his buttons so he expanded his views. She made him better. Challenged him in a way no one ever had.

Which was unexpected as hell.

His mother suddenly strode into the room, a giant bag of containers in her hands. She pushed it off on Courtney before making a shooing motion at both of them. "Go. I need my sleep."

Instead of being put off by his mother's abrupt nature, Courtney smiled. "I'll see you in the morning."

"You can only see me in the morning if you leave." His mother softened her words with a hint of a smile. "Make sure my son eats breakfast before he works."

Courtney nodded. "I will."

It was an important moment, even if Courtney didn't know it.

Food was important to his mother. It was how she showed she cared since physical affection didn't come easily to her. Reminding Courtney about breakfast was her way of passing on a reminder of affection.

Of love.

And while Courtney might not love him yet, he most certainly loved her. Luckily, he was patient, which meant he was equipped to handle a woman like her.

And equipped to wait for her to love him back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

COURTNEY

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