Page 57 of Promised Summer
He spoke the words firmly. He was so confident in what he wanted that it left me speechless.
“Just think about it, okay?” he asked. He pressed a kiss to my temple, then left me in the room with the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.
How the hell did I get so lucky to have a man like Jones love me and my daughter? When I became Karla’s legal guardian, I was ready to put my dating life on hold to raise her. I’d heard enough horror stories to want to keep strangers away from her, but I knew Jones would never do anything to hurt her. Jones accepted me and treated her like she was his own.
And now here he was talking aboutmarriage. At least I think that’s what he was hinting at when he said he wanted to be Karla’s stepfather.
I was worried about a little title while he was already thinking about our future together. The entirety of it all made my head spin, and I was dazed throughout dinner.
Even when we all found our way to the rocking chairs on the patio, Karla and Jones excitedly pointing at the brightest stars to each other, my mind was still swirling.
But when Karla happily called him Papa again while pointing out a star that sparkled hello to us, I didn’t correct her.
Chapter Twenty-One
JONES
I woke to a warm body pressed against my stomach. Ryan’s scent told me it was him before I even opened my eyes. He was nestled in my arms as my little spoon, with Karla in his arms as the mini spoon.
It took me a second to remember how we’d ended up like this. Karla had been so excited as she’d exclaimed the stars had been so bright because her mommy was saying hello to her.
It had been a good night, but the surge of emotions had eventually taken a dip, and that was how we all ended up cuddled in bed together, eventually falling asleep.
This was what I meant when I told Ryan I wanted us to be a family. Well, maybe not all three of us sleeping together every night—I wanted some alone time with my man. But I wanted us to share our highs and comfort each other in our lows. I wanted to be there forthem, and I hoped they would want to do the same for me.
And fuck, I really wanted them to live here. Waking up to a full house today had only solidified that. Ryan and Karla belongedherewith me.
Now I just had to tell them that. Maybe today…
Though it was a bit hypocritical of me since it was only yesterday that I told Ryan he didn’t have to rush our relationship. But would it really be rushing to ask them to move in when they already spent a lot of their time here?
The question circled in my mind the entire morning, even when I arrived at work. I was so distracted that Ryker had noticed and expressed his concerns. He’d sent me to the resting area our team set up, so I didn’t endanger myself. That shook me out of the daze because on-site injuries were no joke.
At lunch, I wondered if I should ask Ryker for advice on how to ask someone to move in with them. With Deke, I hadn’t even asked. He’d basically made himself at home and notified me he was moving in.
I wished Ryan would do the same, but I knew it was only wishful thinking. Ryan still insisted on taking all their stuff when they returned to his grandma’s, saying that they couldn’t just impose by leaving their things there.
I wished hewouldimpose more.
I crossed my arms and grumbled about how annoying it was that Ryan was so considerate. I neverthought being too considerate would be a bad thing, yet here we were.
“Did you and Ryan get into a fight?” Ryker asked suddenly. He eyed me as he took another bite of his sandwich.
“No. Why would you think that?” I grumbled. Ryan and I were doing just fine. Amazing, even!
I was just letting my thoughts get the best of me, and I didn’t know how to talk to Ryan about it. I’d already unloaded onto him last night by telling him I saw us being together in the future, so I couldn’t very well push this onto his plate not even a day later, right? I needed to give him time.
“Well, considering that you look like you’re about to punch something, your words aren’t very convincing,” Ryker muttered.
I glared at him, then blew out a sigh. He wasn’t wrong, and all this thinking in circles had me tensed like a strung bow.
“If you had to ask Sam to move in with you, how would you do it?” I asked, deciding that it would be better to talk with someone about this instead of continuing to brood.
His reply was a cheeky raise of his brow. “Well, considering Ididn’thave to ask, I’m not sure.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’re well aware your fake-fiancé-turned-real lover practically fell into your lap. I’m sayingifyou had to ask, how would you do it?”
He considered my question for a minute, browfurrowed in thought. He took another bite of his sandwich, chewed thoughtfully, then took another bite. Another minute went by in silence, and if this was anyone else other than Ryker, I would have thought the fucker was ignoring my question.
