Page 39 of When Love Comes Home

When I set my bags down by the door, Katie looks at me and shoots me a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm going to miss you," she murmurs, wrapping her arms around my middle.

"We'll see each other every day at the office," I reassure her. "And Thursday nights are still on forSurvivor."

"I know," she whispers. "But it won't be the same."

I lift her chin gently, making sure she meets my gaze. "It’ll be okay. I promise."

"I know," she murmurs.

"And now that I'm officially moved out..." I smile, trying to lighten the mood. "We can start dating like normal people."

"What do you mean?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"I respect you, Katie," I say. "I don’t want there to be any doubt about my feelings, my intentions or my respect for you and your parents."

"Is that why you haven't kissed me again?" she whispers, her green gaze searching mine.

I nod. "I don’t want any speculation or assumptions," I say. "We haven't been shacking up for seven weeks. I was your roommate and starting now, I’m your boyfriend."

"My boyfriend," she repeats, a real smile reaching her eyes. "I like the sound of that."

"Can I have a kiss before I leave?" I ask, lifting my hand to gently touch her face.

"Are all my freckles accounted for?" she teases, her eyes sparkling.

"Absolutely," I chuckle, my heart skipping a beat.

Chapter 18

Katherine

Iclosemyeyes,anticipating the feel of his lips on mine. His kiss is sweet and gentle, yet incredibly intimate. He takes his time, savoring the connection—and my lips. I feel my body relax, as if I’m floating on air. His hand rests on the hollow of my neck, drawing lazy circles with his thumb, awakening all my senses and pulling me deeper into this spell between us.

When he pulls away, it takes everything in me to keep from begging him to stay.

"I have to go," he says, brushing my lips with his one last time.

I walk him out, then wave goodbye as I watch him drive away. Once the car disappears from sight, I turn back to the empty house and shut the door behind me. The house feels empty now, but not nearly as empty as I do.

***

"I can't stand it," I confess, watching as Mom slices cucumbers for a salad. "I miss him so much."

"It's only been two weeks, honey," Mom says.

"It feels like a month," I counter.

With Laila back in school and Loren having dinner with her future in-laws, tonight it’s just my parents, Adam, and me.

"It was the right thing to do," she says. "It's one thing to live with Adam as a lifelong friend, but another as your boyfriend."

"It's still hard," I insist. "I've never felt this way about anyone before. He's so sweet, Mom. A gentleman. Sensitive, but still such a man. Does that make sense?"

Mom flashes me a knowing smile. "He's a lot like your father."

"He is," I say, smiling as I grab a slice of cucumber and pop it into my mouth. I turn and open the oven door, peeking at the stuffed chicken breasts roasting inside.

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