Page 31 of Coming Home for Love

“What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

I gave her another look. “Be honest, Wyn.”

She sighed and let her shoulders drop.

“Have you decided when you are leaving?”

“I wanted to discuss that with you while we were at dinner, but since you brought it up, I’ll tell you now. I’m making moves to stay here permanently.”

Having this conversation in the car wasn’t what I had in mind, but I didn’t want it to bother her if I didn’t answer the question.

She shifted in her seat to face me. “What?”

“Yeah. I’m not trying to be away from y’all, Wyn.”

“Who is y’all?”

“You and Osiris.”

I may not have told Wynter exactly what I was feeling, but I was sure she knew what it was, but maybe she didn’t. I needed to tell her what I felt, but I also needed to dead that shit with Shannon too.

“I get it about Osiris. But I’m confused about you including me too. I know we’ve crossed the line multiple times, but I thought it was just while you were here.”

“It’s obvious I haven’t been doing a good job of showing you what my intentions are. I want us to be a family. I want us to raise our son together in the same household.”

Wynter and I both came from loving, two-parent households, and I wanted that for Little O as well.

She went back to fiddling with her necklace again, a sure sign she was nervous.

“Um. How?”

We pulled up to the restaurant, and I found a parking spot near the door instead of using valet. We had to finish the conversation before getting out of the car.

“It’s simple. I’m in the process of buying a four-bedroom house with the perfect kitchen for you because I know how important a big kitchen is for you. Every house I looked at was with the intention of having you and Osiris move in. Even if you didn’t want to take things further, the two of you could have the house, and I could live somewhere else. Regardless, I want the two of you to be comfortable. I know that you could buy your own house, but I want to do this for you.

“This night wasn’t just about showing you my appreciation, but I planned on asking if we could give this family thing a real chance. You don’t have to answer right now, but I’m serious, Wynter. Shit didn’t work out the first time, but this time, I promise you I’m not going anywhere. For now, let’s go have dinner and take it from there. I have a whole night planned for us.”

“This is all happening so fast, but my feelings have developed for you all over again since we have been spending time together, and I would love for our son to grow up the way we did. He’ssurrounded by love, and I don’t want him to be in two separate households, either. I just…” Her sentence trailed.

I grabbed her hand. I didn’t blame her for being apprehensive because I hadn’t thought about giving her the house until I picked her up for the day. I wasn’t lying when I said I had her and Osiris in mind when I searched for houses, but I figured they would just visit. Something in me shifted when I laid eyes on her at her apartment, and I knew the right choice would be to have her move in with me or just give her the house.

“Like I said, you don’t have to give me an answer right now. See how you feel when the night is over.” I winked at her, kissed her hand, then got out of the car.

I then went around to help her out of the car. With my hand on the small of her back, I escorted her to the entrance of the restaurant.

There was another conversation we had to have, but it would have to wait until another time. For the night, I wanted us to enjoy each other, and by the end of the night, I wanted us entangled in each other until the morning came.

This is O, leave a message after the beep, and I might get back to you.

I tossed my phone on the couch beside me. I blew out harsh breaths as my nails dug into the skin on my thighs.

Osiris had been acting different since he went back home. We weren’t together, but I never had a problem when I called him. Lately, every time I called, he was either short with me or didn’t answer at all, and I was getting sick of it.

We’d been dating for a little bit, but I wanted more. I wanted to start a family with him, even though I told him I didn’t. I lied because I thought he didn’t want one at first; plus, I didn’t come from the best family, and I was afraid of having children. I had been abused as a child, and I didn’t want the same for my child.I knew that wouldn’t happen with Osiris though. Even though I never met his family, and he probably never told them about me, I knew he came from a loving family. I could tell by the way he talked to his parents or his sister whenever they called him. They loved him, and he respected them.

I wanted that for myself, but for whatever reason, Osiris didn’t want to take things any further.

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