Page 66 of Everlasting Promises

We slowout front of my house and Ben parks behind my car, then we all climb out. When I reach the door, I pull out my key, and as I slide it into the lock, the sound of claws tapping on my hardwood floors makes me smile.

A sharp bark comes from inside, and Evan grins. “He’s excited we’re home.”

“Sounds like it.” I unlock the door, and when it swings open, Rex leaps around with his tail wagging so much that his rump tips from side to side like he hasn’t seen us for an entire week, rather than a couple of hours. “Is he always this happy to see you when you leave him home?” I ask Ben.

“Yeah. We don’t spend a lot of time apart, but he’s always happy to see me,” he tells me as he rubs Rex’s neck. He jumps and licks his dad’s face, making Ben laugh. “Good to see you too, buddy.”

“Mom, can wepleaseget a dog?”

I heave a huge sigh in my head. Here we go again. “We can’t, Ev. Our dog would be left home alone too much and would get lonely. It wouldn’t be fair.”

His shoulders slump in defeat, and I feel like a terrible parent.

“Your mom’s right. Dogs need a lot of attention. Especially when they’re puppies,” Ben says, and I could kiss him right now for having my back.

Evan folds his arms across his chest and rolls his eyes. “Not you too. I’ll never get a dog at this rate.”

“Probably not, big guy,” I say. “Now say goodnight to Ben and off to bed.”

“But I’m not tired,” he whines.

I shoot him my bestdon’t mess with melook. “No arguments. Off to bed. I’ll be there to say goodnight in a minute.”

He faces Ben. “Thanks for taking us to mini golf. I had a lot of fun. Even though I lost,” he mumbles the last part under his breath.

“You didn’t lose. I did,” I remind him.

He turns to me. “You don’t count. You were never gonna win anyway,” he says matter-of-factly.

Ouch!

“Hey, don’t be mean to your mom.”

Evan sighs. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean it in ameanway. I was joking.” He widens his eyes.

Ben reaches out and squeezes his shoulder. “Thanks for coming. Seb and I usually have fun, but having you guys there made it even better.”

Evan says goodbye to Rex and then heads to his bedroom, leaving me alone with Ben. I look up at him with a heart full of gratitude. “Thank you for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I saw Evan have so much fun.”

“I’m guessing that applies to you, too.” He steps closer, making me nervous, so I lean back a little until my shoulder blades are pressed against the front door.

I swallow, trying my best to produce some saliva because my mouth has become as dry as the Great Basin. “I guess.”

He moves closer again, and the smell of his aftershave wafts around me—something fresh and outdoorsy. “It was great to hear you laugh …”—his eyes trace over the contours of my face—“to see you smile and your eyes sparkle.” He holds his hand over his heart. “Stunning.”

I swallow and draw in a deep breath. “It felt nice. A little strange and I’m definitely rusty, but it felt … good to let go and have some fun.” I’m still on a high.

He nods a little, and one side of his mouth tips up. “You’re beautiful when you’re happy.” He collects a loose curl and tucks it behind my ear, sliding the back of his fingers down the side of my neck while his eyes watch the action, and I watch him.

The air around us shifts and sizzles as we regard each other quietly. My heart hammers wildly against my ribs, and the concentration I have to dedicate to regulate my breathing is ridiculous. I dart my tongue out to wet my lips, and Ben’s eyes drop to my mouth with interest as a low rumble vibrates in his chest.

His warm hand slips under the fall of my hair below my ear, and his thumb slowly strokes up and down my throat. With pupils blown wide, his eyes skip between mine and my mouth and he dips his head down a little closer.

My breathing is out of control, and he has to feel how fast the blood is rushing through my body with his hand pressed against my throat like it is. My knees shake, and my stomach twists inside out. I’m not sure if I want him to close the distance or not.

If he closes the distance, he’ll kiss me.

I scrunch my eyes closed, hoping I’ll be able to go through with it if I can’t see his face. Maybe if I imagine Wyatt’s kissing me instead.

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