Page 134 of Hot Four Teacher
“And what?”
“He said that he knew you must be crazy about me because the last time he saw a look like how you looked at me, it was him looking at your mom.”
It takes him a moment to respond. “Well, he is a very smart man.”
I scoot closer to him. “For what it’s worth, I’m pretty crazy about you too.”
“I should hope so. We’re on our honeymoon for heaven’s sake,” he jokes.
“Do you ever want to get married again? Or did Cassie sour you to the whole idea?”
“I think I’d like to get married again when the time is right…and the person. What about you?”
“Hmm. I think Cassie soured me to it,” I giggle. “But really, yes, I think I’d like to someday.”
Neither one of us say it, but it’s obvious we both hope that perfect person is the other.
There is one more question I feel the need to ask. “Do you ever think about kids?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want kids of your own?”
He thinks for a moment. “Kids have never been a deal-breaker for me either way. I love kids, but I don’t think that having ones of my own is the only way to make an impact on their lives. I’d be just fine being a teacher or maybe someday being a foster parent or adopting.”
He’s such a good man.
“What about you?” He asks. “Do you want more kids?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe. I think I’ll be bored when Eve leaves, but I agree there are other ways to help kids rather than just thenormalway.”
He smiles. “Sounds like you and I are on the same page.”
“Dane,” I begin as I move, so I’m straddling him.
“Yes, baby?”
“I’m not always very good at saying how I feel, but I want you to know something.”
“Okay. I’m listening.”
“I love you.” The words come out in barely more than a whisper, but I mean them with my whole chest. I’ve known for a while, but I’ve held off on saying it. It's like I was waiting to make sure this whole thing didn’t go away.
But through it all, Dane never wavered. Even with my wanting to keep things a secret and not always having a ton of time, he’s dealt with it and never once complained.
I think that’s something worth holding onto.
It occurs to me that he hasn’t said anything for a hot second, and I begin to worry that maybe I shouldn’t have said that.
But suddenly, his lips curl into a smile. “I love you, too, Michelle. So fucking much.”
He presses a soft kiss to my lips.
When he pulls back, I add, “I want to tell Eve about us.”
He looks shocked. “Really? You’re ready for that?”
I nod. “Being here with you…being able to go out and be a real couple…that’s what I want at home. You make me really happy, and I don't want to hide that anymore.”
