Page 46 of Fierce-Michael

“They do,” she said, sighing. “And they obviously know about my past. I told them I told you about Brian and the reality show. They were shocked, but it went to show them that I like you and am taking this seriously.”

“As opposed to not taking other dating relationships seriously?” he asked.

She moved back from her hug and he flipped the burgers and she checked on the fries.

This wasn’t going well and she didn’t want their date to end on a negative when everything else had been so positive.

“I take most things seriously when the time is right. I think when I go on a few dates with a guy I try to be open minded and fun. If I see a connection, then I decide if it can go anywhere. We already know there has been a connection with us right away.”

“There has been,” he said. “I’m not trying to grill you or anything. Just trying to find out what is going on.”

“I know,” she said. “I’m not taking offense to it.”

“I think you kind of are,” he said. “Cheese or not?”

“Cheese,” she said. “And the fact you know that about me says a lot too. My parents worried that I was setting myself up for more drama and I pointed out that if my father was in your shoes I would expect him to step up.”

“What did he say?”

“He agreed.”

“I’m sure they commented on Ty being my priority over their daughter and worried about that?”

She laughed. “You’ve been burned by this haven’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say burned,” he said. “Just that it’s not my first rodeo with women let alone if their families know.”

“I understand,” she said. “And what I told my parents was this. I asked my mother if I was first in her life over my father after I was born. The same with my father. That I’m sure I wasn’t. That I was on equal ground for different situations.”

“I bet they didn’t like that being pointed out,” he said, grinning.

“They were stunned by it and agreed with me. They know I’m not an idiot. I know what I’m getting into.”

He turned and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“I don’t feel it in a bad way. This sucks. I’m trying to be transparent and making a mess out of it.”

Which she didn’t normally do.

“You’re not making a mess out of it. I understand what you’re saying. I wish I didn’t, but I do. I wish you didn’t even have to think or feel this way, but I can’t change the fact that I’ve got Ty in my life and I’ve only dated you for a few weeks.”

She wouldn’t be hurt by those words. She couldn’t be. This was what her parents tried to say. They were married first when she was born. There was that understanding to start.

Kelly was coming into Michael’s life after the fact.

“Understood,” she said. “No one is making plans. I told you what I wanted at some point in my future.”

“You did. I’m looking for a relationship too. I like kids. I’m not opposed to having more, but I want them the more traditional way. Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course,” she said.

He laid the cheese on the burgers and put a lid on it while he turned the heat down and she checked on the fries one more time. It seemed he was weighing his words.

After a minute he said, “I don’t like sharing Ty.”

“And you don’t want to ever have to deal with that again with another child?”

“No,” he said. “I think a child should have both parents in their life, but this isn’t how I planned it for my son. I have no idea what the future will hold with Ty and Electra and I’m trying to make it work. She’s made comments in the past about moving.”

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