Page 130 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“Yeah,” I say, that lump back in my throat. “It, uh…scares me sometimes.”

“Why’s that?” she asks.

It takes me a minute to figure out how to answer her. I walk over to the wall as I pull the words to the surface, tracing the canvas of Brad and me from our boudoir photoshoot with my eyes and then the tip of one finger. He’s so beautiful. So open, even then. It astounds me, when I think about how he grew up. It would have been easy for him to close himself off. To guard against all the hurt in the world.

Instead, he’s one of the most genuine people I know. He’s utterly transparent and trusting. Damn nearfearless, as far as I’m concerned.

He doesn’t have walls around his heart. And I want nothing more than to make sure that organ beating inside his chest doesn’t get bruised or broken.

“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love him,” I tell my mom. “How do I protect him? How do I keep him safe?”

“Oh, honey,” my mom says softly. “You don’t. It’s not your job to stop everything life will throw at the two of you. You couldn’t even if you tried. It’s your job to hold his hand. To stay at his side and work through it together. You’ll heal each other over time whenever anything bad happens. That’s just how it goes. As long as he knows you’re there for him, therewithhim, he’ll always feel safe.”

I pull in a breath, my subsequent exhale shaky. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Of course, my boy. You two will be okay. I know it. Now…Ah, is that him I hear now?”

“Joey-roo, my kangaroo-boo. Waffles are here, and I love—Oh.” Brad stops in the doorway, a scrunched grin on his face. “Are you on the phone?”

“It’s my mom,” I tell him.

“Mama D!” Brad calls, coming into the room and swiping my phone. “I tried those seaweed snacks you mentioned. You’re right. They’re really good, even though my brain is convinced I’m eating poison.” He nods a couple times as he paces over to the window, peeking out through the curtain. “Uh-huh. Uh-huh. The chickpea ones are okay. Kinda dry, though.”

I sit on the edge of the bed, a smile on my face as I watch Brad chat effortlessly with my mom. Not for the first time, I’m profoundly grateful for the woman who raised me. Not only because she’s always been there for me, but because she’s therefor Brad without question. I think she knew he needed it from the start.

Brad comes over before long, climbing onto my lap as he continues to talk. The phone is close enough now that I can hear both sides of the conversation.

“Did you get the coffee I sent?” my mom asks.

“I did!” Brad answers. “It’s really good. Thank you.”

“My pleasure. I should probably get going now, but it was lovely talking to you, darling.”

“Likewise. Do you want to say bye to Joey?”

“Please,” my mom says.

Brad hands over the phone, settling his head on my shoulder as I bring the device to my ear.

“Mom?”

“I just wanted to say have a good night. Talk soon, and I love you.”

“Love you, too,” I tell her. “And thanks again. For earlier.”

Brad nuzzles his nose against my neck, fingers drifting up under my shirt as my mom says, “Of course. You’ll be all right, my boy.”

“Yeah,” I agree hoarsely.

My mom says a finallove you, and we end the call. I set my phone aside, clearing my throat as Brad’s fingers trace over my skin, a purely soothing touch on his part, not remotely sexual. Not that it stops me from reacting at least a little.

“Hey,” I say gently.

“Hi,” he mutters. “Waffles are waiting in the living room, but I left them boxed up so they’d stay warm.”

Brad makes no move to get up and head that way, so I run my hand up and down his back, my other on the outside of his thigh. I’ve never been with a single other person as physically affectionate as Brad.

“I’m really lucky to have you,” I tell him seriously.

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