Page 19 of Dash to Me
“Sounds perfect,” Atlas replies, his attention snapping back momentarily to offer the waiter a nod.
While we wait for our food, I want to bring up some things that are deal breakers for me. As much as I want this to work,there are things that I can’t give up. “What’s your thoughts on children?”
He chokes on his wine. “Already wanting to have my babies, Ev?”
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and that’s something that’s very important to me. Obviously, we aren’t going to start a family right away, but I need to know we are on the same page about it. It’s non-negotiable on my end.”
His eyes wrinkle a bit, truly staring into my soul. “Nothing would make me happier than someday having our children running around. I’d say maybe three?”
Another weight lifts off my shoulder, knowing he feels the same way. It easily could have been the end of us right then. “Three sounds perfect.”
When the food arrives, we hurry up and eat. Right now, all I want is to be back at home, snuggled up in his arms.
“You can slow down? Are you in a hurry?”
I set my fork down. “More like ready to be home.”
He eyes me, but then he sees my wink and smiles. “Oh, me too.” He raises his hand to get the server’s attention to get the check.
“I love that you can’t get enough of me. It’s mutual, love. No amount of time with you will make up for all the time we could’ve had if we spoke up sooner. But I’m all for trying to play catch up.”
He signs the check, takes my hand, and takes me home.
ATLAS
Evaand I rush back to her house, just to have some alone time together. Until she gets her own place, it’s weird to be staying over with her brother in the house. Honestly, I thought about just asking if she wants to move in with me, but thought it might be too soon. I’m all for it. I’ve lived without her for too long already.
I pull up to the house and park, undoing my seatbelt, but not getting out. Everything about her is amazing. The fact she brought up having kids tonight cemented my love for her. It shows that she is thinking about our future as much as I am.
“Ready to go inside?” she asks, hand on the truck door.
I reach over and gently place my hand on hers. “Wait,” I say, my voice soft in the quiet car.
“What is it?” Eva asks, her brow furrowing.
My heart pounds against my ribs. This moment feels important somehow, suspended between what we’ve been and what we could be. “I was just thinking... about what you said tonight. About kids, our future.” She turns in her seat to face me fully, her expression open and curious. “I want all of that with you, Eva. Everything. And I know we’re taking things slow,but...” I take a deep breath. “Would you consider moving in with me? Not right away if you’re not ready, but soon?”
The seconds stretch between us as I watch emotions flicker across her face. Then she smiles, and it’s like the sun breaking through clouds.
“I’ve been thinking about it too,” she admits. “It’s weird staying here now. And when I imagine where I want to be...” She reaches out, touches my cheek. “It’s with you. It’s always been with you.”
Relief and joy flood through me. I lean forward, pressing my forehead against hers. “So that’s a yes?”
Eva laughs, the sound wrapping around my heart. “That’s a definite yes. But have you decided if you are staying in Lawson Ridge.
There is no way that I can walk away from having her in my bed every night. “I’m taking over my dad’s business. Lawson Ridge is home for me. My home is with you.”
Eva’s smile widens, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I can’t believe this is happening. Part of me still thinks I’m going to wake up and find out this was all a dream.”
“It’s real. We’re real.”
She leans across the center console and kisses me, soft and sweet at first, then with a growing intensity that makes my heart race. When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“Let’s go inside,” she says, her voice husky. “We have the place to ourselves.”
I pull her close, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume. “When do you think you’d want to move? I don’t want to rush you.”
Eva wraps her arms around my neck, considering. “Maybe in a couple of days? I don’t have much to pack, honestly. Most of my stuff is still in boxes.”
