Page 63 of Weatherman

But time doesn’t stand still for anyone. Night had already fallen, and Pearl started her demands to be held. She toddled first to me to pick her up, then reached for Bryce. He lifted her and let her settle on his shoulder as we sat on the sofa side by side.

“I called Mom, and Emma is going to stay with her tonight. I don’t want to leave you alone right now.”

Does that mean he wants us to sleep together or just be under the same roof?I was acutely aware that we hadn’t gotten physical as in sex. Yeah, we’d made out like a couple of teenagers, but nothing else. Bryce had never pushed that boundary. Did he want to touch me now, or did hearing about my past make him cringe away from that intimacy? “I’m… um… sure I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will be. I’m still staying.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. “What’s on your mind?”

“Where…?” I started. “I’m not sure where I’m supposed to be.”

“Betsey has a full guest suite upstairs if you want to use it, but if you’re okay with it, I’d much rather you stay with me. My room isn’t the biggest one here, but it’s private.”

“What about Pearl?”

He glanced down at my little girl, whose eyes were drifting closed, but it was Betsey who answered. She walked up to us and deftly transferred Pearl into her arms. “Now, don’t you worry ’bout this baby. I got everythin’ she’s gonna need upstairs with me. You okay leavin’ her with me for the night? I promise I’ll come get you if she won’t settle, but I think she’s on her way to a good sleep. I think Mama needs one too. You come on upstairs if you want, and you can bring your man with you or not. You need some time alone? I’ll run his ass off and give you that. If you feel better ’bout stayin’ with him in his room? You do whateverit is that makes you comfortable. Ain’t no one here gonna say nothin’.”

More tears built up behind my eyes. “Why are you so good to me? I’m nobody.”

Betsey’s voice became tight. “That’s where you’re wrong, darlin’. I heard what you did for Hilda Burns. You might have changed that girl’s life, and that right there is something special.”

“It was just a haircut.”

“To you, it was just a haircut. To Hilda, it was an openin’ to a whole new world.”

I pondered this. I’d seen Hilda since her winter dance transformation. In fact, I’d gotten more teenage clients coming in and asking for my services. The thought had never occurred to me about what influence I had on these young girls. I had firsthand experience of how a kind word of encouragement, plus a little makeup and hair color, could boost someone’s outlook on life. Betsey loved her bright red hair and heels and wore them with pride. Molly loved her colorful nails. Tambre had her thriving salon. Katrina, Eva, Psalm, Lori, Fauna—all of them had their talents.

Me? I helped all of them look and feel pretty.

“I think I’ll stay with Bryce, if you’re sure you can handle Pearl?”

Betsey smiled warmly. “Darlin’, I’ve been a mama and a gramma to a lot of kids. That’s my gift. Now, you go get yourself some sleep. Tomorrow is early enough to handle anything else.”

Bryce guided me down a hall that led to his room. It was pretty far in the back of this rabbit warren, and he didn’t lie when he said it was small. The double bed was only full-size, not queen, and took up most of the space. A small beat-up dresser and nightstand took the rest. It had its own bathroom, but only a shower stall big enough for one, a pedestal sink, and toilet.The room was very basic, but it was clean and neat. I’d stayed in worse places.

What made it great was the man standing behind me. He put his arms around my shoulders and pulled me back into his body. It must be one of his favorite ways to hug, as I’d been in this same position before. I remembered the picture Betsey showed me of him hugging his mom from behind.

This is one way he shows people he loves them.

Where that random thought came from, I had no clue, but it made sense.Wemade sense.

My belly quivered and my heart sped up as I took a breath, and my voice trembled a little as I spoke. “If I asked you to make love to me now, would you do it?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips against my temple, and I felt the word burn my skin as he said it.

His kiss answered my question, and there was no doubt that after tonight, a single path would lie in front of me. One that I would walk for eternity, and Bryce would be right beside me.

“Are you sure someone like you wants to be with someone like me?” I had to say the words in a whisper.

“Babe, stop thinking so much. If I didn’t want to be here, right now, with you, I wouldn’t.”

“What if?—”

“Stop. We can ‘what if’ all night and still not figure anything out. For the record? Your past does not bother me. It’s your future that I’m interested in, and I plan to be a big part of it. If you’re not ready for this, that’s fine. We’ll wait. But please recognize this fact: I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

I kissed him.Me.I moved first. It was me who made it happen.

I turned in his arms and pulled his head to mine, opening my mouth and taking his. He didn’t pull back or close himself off to me; rather, he let me set the pace. Something inside my chestreleased, like turning a valve and letting out a pressure I hadn’t known I carried. No more tension, and no more questions. This was where I should be. Where I belonged.

Here with Bryce Turner.

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