Page 107 of The ABCs of You & Me

“I’ll tell you later.” I’m too distracted by the sight of Foster walking toward me, head held high, chest slightly puffed, hot as sin.

“How was that, sunshine?” he asks, taking my hand and leading me back to the tent.

“Hot,” I breathe out.

FORTY-SEVEN

FOSTER

“What is this place?” I ask, looking around the little A-frame cottage that sits at the back of the Hores’ property.

Sophie walks into the little living room and turns on a lamp. “My great-grandfather built it when he had hired help, then my parents moved in when they got married. I spent my first four years here,” she says, returning to me and taking my hand. “My mom thought that maybe we’d like to stay here tonight instead of in the house.”

“Should I be at all disturbed about why she thought that?” I pull her into me, brushing hair off her face.

“I’m not,” she says, rising to place a gentle kiss on my lips. “Can I ask a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Can you just hold me tonight?”

“As opposed to?” I watch a delicious blush spread across her cheeks. “Sex?” I whisper

She rolls her lips, looking nervous. It’s so different from the woman who asked me to, and I quote, “fuck me awake” this morning.

“I’d do just about anything if I am doing it with you, Soph,” I admit. The blush deepens further, and I can see her effort to keep looking at me. She wants to look away so badly.

“What’s the exception?”

I wasn’t expecting her to ask this so I have to think for a minute. “Something terrible. I don’t want you to have to do anything terrible.”

“I survived your uncle. I think I could deal with anything now.”

I love you, I think.

“Think you can survive getting ready for bed and a night of extreme spooning?”

“I think I could win a gold medal in that event.” She beams.

“Foster?” she asks, her voice vibrating through my chest.

“Mmmm?” I say sleepily.

“I think you should know that I…” she trails off, and I feel the inhale and prepare myself for those words I have dreamed of hearing from her. “I’m so happy,” she finishes, and the little balloon of joy in my chest deflates a little.

I wrap my arms tighter around her. “I’m veryhappyto hear it.”

“Mr. Walsh?”

“Yes, Sophie.” I laugh at her impression of Pete.

“You’re amazing, did you know that?”

“I don’t know about amazing, but I’m starting to accept that I may be alright. Miss Hore?” I ask.

“Yes, Foster?”

“Will you go out on a date with me?”

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