Page 165 of Forever Then

“You’ve also never lived on your own and you’re wondering if that’s something you should do first.”

Accurate.

“And I’d tell you that I would never take that experience away from you if that’s what you want. I’ll get my own place across the hall, downstairs, two blocks over, doesn’t matter to me. But full disclosure, I spent four nights apart from you this week and hated every single one, so if we’re not living together, you better be prepared for a lot of sleepovers.”

I grin as his lips sweep mine in a chaste kiss.

“And,” he continues, “you’re scared about what would happen if we break up.”

I hate that this intrusive thought exists at all. I can shout fromthe rooftops that I love him, that he’s the only man I want, that I choose him for better or worse, but life isn’t a fairytale. Even the best laid plans, laid out by the most well-intentioned people, can fail.

“In case I haven’t been clear,” he says, “all the big future plans that couples are supposed to make, I want all of that with you. It may be too soon to propose marriage, but I do plan to marry you one day. And have babies with you. And adopt babies with you. And all the in-between days, however mundane or exciting they may be, I only want them with you. Even the hardest days, Gretch.” He clasps our hands and swings them loosely in the space between our hips. “But if that’s not the future that you see for us, I’m gonna need you to tell me now.”

Like a machete against tissue paper, my worries are thin and defenseless against the strength of my feelings for him.

I hate not falling asleep next to him.

I want to call him my husband someday.

I want a life with him, full to the brim with love, laughter and babies.

I ease forward a step, swallowing the last few inches between us. “So, you’re thinking forever then?”

He smiles. “I want forever with younowlike I wanted forever with youthen. Forever and then some.”

“People are gonna think we’re moving too fast.”

“I’m done caring what other people think. I only care what you think.”

I squint and twist my lips to the side, the air of a woman in deep consideration. The corner of his mouth lifts as he kisses my knuckles, eyes pure smolder. Manipulation by flirtation. I’ll allow it.

“We need to revisit the terms of our thermostat agreement.” Stepping back, I clasp my hands behind me and paste on my best negotiation face.

Connor crosses his arms and widens his stance. “Proceed.”

I fight a smile. “You’re not gonna like it.”

“Try me,” he says with a mischievous wink.

“I want full control of the temperat?—”

“Done.”

Our smiles are embarrassingly goofy as I launch myself against his chest and throw my arms around his neck.

“Is that a yes?” he laughs.

The agent raps her knuckles on the front door on her way back inside. “Checking in. Did either of you have any questions?”

I plant a loud kiss on his lips before spinning on the agent. “We’ll take it.”

Chapter Fifty-Three

YOU STARTED IT

Gretchen

“‘Since U Been Gone,’”Connor and I whisper-shout in unison across the table at Drew.

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