Page 39 of Burning for Him

“It’s also delicious,” he said after swallowing a piece of chicken. “I’m glad you’ll always have those memories of your mom. And someday, you’ll pass the recipe down to your children.”

Her hand holding a fork froze in midair. “Um. Wow. That’s not something we’ve talked about yet. I love my nieces and nephews and hope to have kids of my own someday. Is that what you want too?”

He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. “Yeah, it is. I love kids, but I was never sure I’d meet someone I would want to marry someday and have them with.”

“And now?”

Putting down his fork, he crossed his arms on the table and gazed into her beautiful blue eyes. “I don’t want to jump the gun yet, but yeah, I think I finally found that someone. I love you, Jenn. But I also don’t want to rush things. We still have so much to learn about each other. We’ve known each other for years, but there’s still so much about you that I don’t know.”

She reached across the table and laid a hand on his arm. “I love you, too, and you’re right—we still have a lot to learn about each other. But I almost lost you once, and then I waited for what seemed like forever for you to come around and finally admit you had feelings for me. I don’t want to pressure you, but I’ve known for a long time that you’re the man I want to build a life with. Having said that, I can wait for you to catch up, even if it takes months or years. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy. Just know that, if and when you’re ready to commit to a forever with me, my answer will be an immediate and emphatic yes.

Releasing his arm, she stabbed her fork into her salad. “Now, let’s move on to a lighter subject. I stopped in the office earlier, and Colleen said you went to interview a new client. Is it classified, or can you talk about it?”

If he weren’t already in love with her, he would’ve fallen right then. He didn’t feel like she was demanding a formal commitment with the promise of a ring, a big wedding, a house with a picket fence, and enough kids to make their own baseball team. She just wanted him to know that she considered him to be her soulmate. Even though he wasn’t ready to voice it, he felt the same. Someday, he’d get down on one knee and propose, of that he was certain now. But until then, he wanted to become an expert in everything that made Jenn the woman she was. Onceagain, he wanted to kick his own ass for fighting the attraction between them for as long as he had. So much time lost that he could’ve spent in her loving arms, in just her presence. He’d been a fool, but those days were gone, and he planned to spend the rest of his life making it up to her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Jenn’s shoulders were stiff, her stomach in knots, and she hoped Doug didn’t notice her distress. Since high school, the only other time she’d met a boyfriend’s parents was when she and Cole were dating, and his folks visited the University of Tampa’s campus for a family day. They were nice, but that was the first and last time she’d seen them since they lived outside of Chicago. Now, she was in the passenger seat of Doug’s truck on their way to his parents’ house for Sunday dinner. His grandmother, his sisters and their spouses, and his nieces and nephews would also be there. Insecurities flooded her mind. What if they didn’t like her? What if they thought she was too young for Doug? Had she dressed okay? Was her outfit not formal enough for dinner?

She brushed a piece of lint off the cute navy-blue capris she’d paired with a conservative but fashionable baby-blue top and red espadrille wedges. Some understated makeup and jewelry completed the look. Her top’s right sleeve covered most of the still noticeable and ugly bruise on her upper arm, which had turned yellow and green as it healed. All her other cuts and bruises were gone, and her cast was due to be removed the following week.

Somehow, after Doug was shot protecting her, she hadn’t run into any of his family when she visited him twice in the hospital before he was released. Now, she wished she had so they wouldn’t be complete strangers to her. She knew Doug was close to his family, seeing them often and having lunch with his grandmother at least once a week at her assisted living facility. Would the older woman approve of Jenn? What if she didn’t?

Maybe I should’ve worn that white and brown dress instead of capris. Ugh.

As she tried to rid her mind of all the negativity, she let out an exasperated sigh. Doug reached over and linked their pinkie fingers together. With her cast in place, he couldn’t hold her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m nervous,” she confessed.

He smiled at her before returning his attention to the road. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I told my mom all about you, our age difference, how I was an idiot for not seeing what was right in front of me, how I’m head over heels in love with you, and everything. She can’t wait to meet you. The same goes for my sisters and grandma. My dad and brothers-in-law are all laid-back and not as nosy, so you have nothing to worry about with them. Listen, I know it’ll be a little overwhelming at first—I’m sure they’ll ask you dozens of questions—but trust me when I say your extended family is far worse.”

A wry laugh escaped her. “Nobody is as bad as my family. Did I tell you that Uncle Marco and Uncle Brody wanted to sit you down and ask you about yourintentions? Yes, that’s the word they used—as if this were the 1950s. They also threatened a shotgun wedding even though I’m not pregnant. I shut that stuff down quickly and told them that if they did either of those things, I wouldn’t babysit for them anymore. Not that I would go through with it because I love when Zane, Mara, and Luca cometo visit, but they didn’t need to know that. Anyway, they backed off.”

“They mentioned the shotgun to me too. I think they just like busting our chops. They all still give me shit whenever I mention you, but it’s no big deal. It just proves they love and care about you. They’ll get over it sooner or later.”

“Hopefully, sooner. Oh, I forgot to tell you.” She turned a bit in her seat to look at him. “The charity that organizes Dr. Sanchez’s volunteers sent me an email. Next month, since the funeral was private, Margie’s family is holding a memorial for her in Albuquerque, and they’ve invited the volunteers who worked with her at the commune. It’s on a Saturday. I told Uncle Ian that I wanted to attend, and he said Clinton could fly me out there if the jet wasn’t needed for anything. If it is, I’ll get a plane ticket. I’d like you to go with me, if you want.”

He gently squeezed her pinkie. “I’d be honored to go with you. It’s nice that her family wants you all there. Just give me the date so I can add it to the schedule. If we can, we’ll make it a long weekend and go sightseeing or something.”

“That would be awesome. I’ve never been to New Mexico.”

“Neither have I.”

She settled back in her seat. “Oh, and Tony called to check up on me. He said he got the email, too, and plans to be there if he can get the day before it off.” Doug growled, causing Jenn to giggle. “What’s wrong with Tony? He’s a nice guy.”

“Who wanted to get into your pants!”

“What?” She playfully slapped his bicep with her free hand. “You idiot. Tony’s gay.”

His gaze whipped to hers. “Huh?”

“Yes, my sweet, jealous boyfriend. God, I love calling you that—the boyfriend part.” He liked hearing it. “But yes, Tony is gay. If anything, he wanted to get into your pants or Romeo’s, not mine. He’s heading home next week because the schoolyear opens soon, and I hope he finds someone special. His last partner dumped him by email while we were in Colombia after they were together for two years.”

“What a douche. His partner, not him...Tony. It sucks that happened to him.”

She smirked because apparently, he now agreed that Tony was nice since he wasn’t interested in the female sex, especially Jenn. “Exactly. I told him good riddance.”

Their conversation had a calming effect on her, but when Doug pulled up to a house in Tarpoon Springs and parked beside the curb, her gut twisted again. “Oh, God. We’re here.”

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