Page 132 of Tides That Bind

“I want you to know something,” I begin. “Kids can be complicated. But I happen to love your son. I wouldn’t be here with you if I didn’t love him. I want to do this right.”

Harper lets out a breath I didn’t realize she was holding. And there it is, clear on her face—relief.

“Do you know what we have?” she asks, not giving me long to answer. “Time.”

I know what Harper means—we don’t have to rush.

But my stomach falls, because the two of us know how precious time really is better than anyone else.

So me? I’m going to make the fucking most of the time I have with the people I love, just carefully and extra gently.

“We should go on a date,” I spit out.

Harper juts her head back. “Adate?”

“Yes, adate. You know, one where you wear a nice dress and I…” I dread the idea of putting on a suitagain. “And I also look nice.”

Her face softens. “You don’t have to take me on a date, Riley. I mean…” The apples of her cheeks grow a soft pink. “We’re kind of past that.”

I shake my head. “It’s cute you have an appreciation for the correct order of things, but if you don’t step out of line every now and then, you’re going to miss all the fun. So yeah, I’m going to take you out on a date even though we already know each other.” Reaching out, I press my hand to her waist, sliding it up to the underside of her breast through her wetsuit.

“I’m going to take you out on a date even though I already know the sounds you make when my mouth lands right in this spot,” I whisper, pressing the pad of my thumb through her nipple straining beneath the fabric.

I smile when Harper lets out a mini moan and gasp sung together. “Yes. It’s something like that.”

Harper sighs.

I pull my hand away and tilt Harper’s chin up, cupping her cheek. “I’m going to take you out on a date because that’s what you deserve.”

“Fine,” Harper acquiesces.

“Fine?”

“I’ll go out with you.”

“Yeah, I get that. Butfine? Would it kill you to be a little more enthusiastic? I’m going to take you to Marcellos.”

“Marcellos is very fancy.” She tips her head to the side and her hair follows. “I’ll let you wine and dine me, Riley. But I already have you at home. What could be better than that?”

I almost agree. But then Harper kisses me.

And, yeah. Instantly better.

“Tonight,” I mumble against her lips.

Harper backs away, wrinkling her nose.

I groan. “Now what?”

“It will have to be tomorrow. I’m teaching candlelit yoga tonight. I only do it once a month.”

“Isn’t yoga supposed to be relaxing on its own? Why do you need candles?”

Harper giggles. “It’s just extra relaxing.”

I press my face into her neck. “Is it romantic?”

“Sure. If it was fortwoand not twenty.”

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