Page 20 of Let Me Love You
“I think I surprised her. She thinks I’m just looking for sex, fulfilling a fantasy. Believes I could have no interest in her outside of that. But I know she’s attracted to me, and I’ve always known she cares about me.” The melancholy in his voice bothered him. Positivity. He needed to remain positive even if she did run at the first opportunity. He wouldn’t stop until she gave him a chance. “I think I may be the reason she fled to Jennifer’s.”
“What does that tell you?”
“She’s scared.” He pushed out another harsh breath.
“What do you think she’s afraid of?” His father shifted on the step.
“She’s afraid of upsetting you and Mom. Afraid I’ll lose interest in her and leave like Randy did. She’s scared my attraction will fade when a twenty-something blows by.”
“Well, will it? You have a reputation with the ladies. Valid concerns on her end.” His father pulled his lips into a straight line.
“I’m in love with her and I want to be with her. I’ve never felt this way about another woman. I know she has feelings for me.” Ren closed his eyes. The thought that he frightened her today, enough to make her take off to her sister’s and hide, tightened his chest into a knot. He didn’t want to add to her anxiety and stress. He wanted to hold her, protect her, make her laugh.
“Whatever’s gone on between you and Stacey is between the two of you. You’re both adults. I am going to be honest with you. This won’t be a stress-free, easy-breezy relationship on many fronts. Your mother will not like this, and some of her reasons will be justified. A relationship between you two will be complicated. Aside from the almost eight-year age gap, you may find that you’re in different stages of life. You, fresh out of college and entering your career. Stacey’s established in her career and desires a family. Randy wouldn’t give her that, and instead gave it to someone else. She won’t take the time to fool around for several years with someone, playing house. She’s going to want someone ready to move into that stage of life quickly. Is that person you?” His father looked at him, the lines across his forehead deepening with his raised brows.
Everything Dad said was true. He’d already run through all these concerns in his head. Stacey had run through them with him, too. But the answer always came out the same.Yes!He was more than ready to give Stacey whatever she needed, whatever she wanted.
“Honestly, yes, that person is me. I may not be able to guarantee that a relationship with Stacey won’t have its issues. I know it will. Doesn’t every relationship? But I know I’ll regret never giving it a shot. I just need to convince her we’re worth it.”
His father stood up from the porch step and offered his hand again to Ren, who grabbed it and hauled himself up.
“Let’s get home and get some sleep before your mother calls the sheriff and demands a patrol car looks for both of us,” his father said. They chuckled. He patted Ren on the back. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become, son.”
At that moment, Ren loved his father more than he ever thought possible.
“I won’t discuss this with your mother tonight, but she will need to know how you feel and what you’re thinking. You don’t want her finding out that something is going on with you and Stacey from anyone other than you.”
Ren nodded, and they wandered the short distance back across the yards and into the house.
