Page 30 of Heartfelt Goals

“She’s lost everything.”

“I know – and I want to give it back.”

“But it’s not material things, Dustin.”

“I know that too.”

They both sat there quietly, both staring at the floor when he finally admitted what was bothering him deep down inside.

“I know you want us to be married, but I look at you and still see that little girl… and it’s hard to kiss the woman when I see the girl. It kills the desire, the intensity because it feels so wrong – even though we’re not family and we’re both adults. I’m struggling with it… with this.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“I feel awful because I want you here – I need a friend beside me. I’m just torn. I never pictured myself as getting married, and for the last few weeks, it’s felt good to know you were there if I needed you, even though I screwed things up.”

“You didn’t screw things up, but your communication skills do suck,” Laurel said pointedly giving him a small moue before they shared a nervous laugh. “If we’re going to be friends, then talk to me… just like this.”

“I was trying to be open about this… because I know how bad this looks.”

“It looks like you want a very separate, sterile marriage.”

“I don’t,” he replied quickly and tugged at his collar. “I want anything but that… but I need time.”

“Then you have it,” she answered softly, causing him to look up. “I’m not in a rush either, and I would rather have this sort of connection with you than being used to slake your charging lust-filled body.”

“Mywhaaaat,” he chuckled in shock, eyes wide. “Where did you hear that?”

“I just used it in a book.”

“You write?”

“Uh yeah,” she began shyly, chuckling. “I thought you knew that. I write romance books under a pen name – and don’t worry – it can never get tied back to you.”

“I had no idea.”

“How do you think I could afford the condo – and I was able to become Kendall’s guardian? I had to prove I was financially able to care for her.”

“Then why marry me if you didn’t need the money?”

“Because I needed something different, too,” she admitted, looking away. “Now, let’s go find Kendall and coerce her to join us for dinner. Maybe we can play a game and let her win.”

“Laurel?” he began, standing and holding out a hand to her – unsure if she would take it or not. To his relief, she did, slipping her hand in his, and he marveled at the feeling of ‘home’ that came with such a simple gentle touch. His eyes met her warm hazel ones, and that clenched feeling in his chest relaxed slightly. “I’m glad you are here.”

“I hope so.”

As they walked out of the bedroom, he looked up to see Kendall sitting beside the stairs, her knobby knees sticking out between the spindles and feet dangling over the kitchen.

“Hey, are you hungry?”

“Why – are you adding ‘poisoning’ to your list of ways to harm me?”

“I don’t want to hurt you. You’re family. I thought maybe you could help us make dinner – and if you wanted to poison me, it gives you the perfect chance to slip something into my plate,” he teased and was rewarded with a slight slap on his arm from Laurel. “Oww. Did you see that? She whacked me.”

“She should have done it harder,” Kendall retorted glumly, not moving from her spot, and Dustin swallowed, trying to think how to encourage the little girl to join them.

“Let’s make stir-fry,” Laurel suggested, and he nodded.

“I’m in your hands because I’ve never made stir fry at home. I usually order in.”

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