Page 90 of Suddenly Entwined

“That makes one of us,” I tell her.

“That’s the type of woman you should be with, Berg. Tamara is…well she’s everything. She’s rich and classy and makes really nice cakes and–”

Moving to stand directly in front of her, I plant my hands on the cool stone on either side of her head.

“And I’m not remotely interested in someone like that. She’s pushy and awkward with the girls…”

Caro stops inspecting the asphalt and tilts her head back to look up at me.

“...and she bought that fucking cake, Caro.”

She lets out a watery laugh and sniffles. “You think?”

“I know. Were they in white boxes? With a pink sticker?”

“Yeah, but–”

“There’s no way she made it. I can guarantee you that those are the exact boxes that West Coast Confections uses.”

“Oh, my god.” She wipes her nose. “What a…cow! You should have seen the look she gave my cake! They are supposed to be home made! The email had explicit instructions!”

I almost laugh at how riled up she’s getting.

“It’s all smoke and mirrors with her, Caro. But with you…”

I lean in, brushing my nose against hers. The steady bass of the music thumps in the background, a light breeze blowing across the back of my neck.

“With you, it’s real. Authentic.”

Her hands settle on my shoulders, sliding down my arms as far as my biceps.

“Berg, you told me you needed something really serious in this ‘stage of life’. And maybe that’s not me.”

“Did I say that?”

Her hands feel so fucking good on my arms. The heat of her body makes me want to press her flat against this wall.

“Mmm hmm.”

“I don’t remember. I have a terrible memory. One time I even forgot I had a new tenant moving in.”

She laughs, loud and clear, in the empty schoolyard.

“What we have is serious, Caro. I can’t keep you off my mind for more than a few breaths. It’s a struggle to keep the girls fromrunning down to see you on weekends. They want you involved in whatever we’re doing, and I’m right there with them.”

“Sometimes I hear you guys upstairs or see you leave in the truck and wonder where you’re going. I always want to tag along, but I don’t want to insert myself into your family if…”

She trails off.

“If what?”

Caro's voice trembles with emotion. “If I can’t actually be part of your family.”

"You've been part of this family for months and I'm sorry if I didn't make that clearer to you. I'm not sure we'd even feel complete without you at this point."

My heart flutters with what must be hope. I've laid so much on the line.

"I don't think I realized how much I needed to hear that," she sniffles, a brave smile curving her lips.

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