Page 168 of Rough Around the Hedges

The tremor.

That one, little, barely perceptible shake of his hand that said so much.

“I’m sorry I ran away.” I looked at our feet. “And called you a potato. And threw a dildo at you.”

“It wasn’t exactly the first time.” Laughter tinged his tone, and when I looked up, I drew in a deep breath.

There was such warmth, such genuine affection in his eyes, that it made my heart skip.

“Can I throw something else at you?”

He paused, tilting his head to one side. “Is that a question you should be asking?”

“Okay, fine. How are you with catching?”

“Uh… It’s been a while since I’ve caught anything but a cold, but all right, I guess?”

“Okay, good.”

“Why? What are you—oomph!”

I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, burying my face in his shoulder.

“Ooft,” he laughed out, grabbing my thighs and hauling me up his body before he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly. “I didn’t think you meant yourself.”

“What else could I throw at you?” I asked, turning my face into his neck and burying it there. “I’m empty-handed.”

“You can throw yourself at me whenever you like. I promise I’ll catch you every time.”

I pulled back and grabbed the sides of his head. “This doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

His eyes sparkled. “Oh, I assume I have at least one month of sporadic pain to go through before you’ll even consider it.”

I nodded. “I’m being generous because I, too, messed up last night. I jumped to conclusions when I should have just asked you, then I ran away when it got tough. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you.”

“Hey.” He slid his hand up my back, resting it between my shoulder-blades. “If that’s what you needed last night, then it’s fine. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself and your emotions.”

“That’s the hottest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Yeah, I can’t take credit for it. My mother said it this morning.”

“Ah, that explains it. I knew I loved her.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows went up. “So, you love my mother?”

His tone was teasing, but the uncertainty that he felt was in his eyes. A tiny, shadowy hint of apprehension that flared to life at my words.

“I do.” I brushed my thumbs over his cheeks, bringing my face close to his. “But I loveyoumore.”

I lowered my lips, meeting his in a soft, sweet kiss. The vague sound of cheering and whooping that sounded suspiciously like Isa and George barely registered in my ears as Oliver tightened his grip on me. I squeezed his waist in return, flexing my feet to keep my grip on him, and kissed him again.

And again.

And again.

“Rose, you’re scaring the children!”

I pulled back at Isa’s call and looked around to see both Ryan and Abby looking up at us. Their chubby hands were pressed to their faces, and they were both peeking through their fingers, and both had expressions of absolute disgust.

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