Page 78 of Embers in Our Souls
“Yeah, but I can’t stay long. I walked toward the locker and bunk area. Your text worried me, as if you were having second thoughts,” he confesses.
“I got to thinking that we aren’t just going to be throwing a relationship at him, but a marriage. I started to freak out.” I run my hand down my face.
“Indy, we don’t have to divulgeeverythingto Noah. We introduce things to him at our pace. He doesn’t have to know we’re married. I think we’re still figuring everything out ourselves. If you’re comfortable with that plan, I think that’s the best course of action.”
How is he so calm about this?
“Why are you being so agreeable?” I can’t help but question him.
“You’re forgetting I just waited years to get you back. I’ll fight to keep you. Plus, don’t sound so surprised.” He scoffs. “I may have leaned on my buddy to get some advice.”
“Malloy?” He’s the only one I know well.
“No. Although he agreed with it. Clay is actually the one that suggested us taking it slow with Noah. I mean, he lost his dad at a young age. Even though his mom never dated, he had a lot to say on the matter. He had a lot of good points and I can’t help but say I agree.”
I feel my heart rate coming down and I’m nodding, even though he can’t see me.
“So, we’re good?” he questions as I sit in silence for an extra beat.
“Yeah, all good. I just freaked out,” I reassure him.
I can hear him rustling on his end of the line. “Does that mean I can still see you tomorrow for lunch?”
That pulls a smile from me as I play with a loose strand of my hair. “Yes. Can you come by my office around one?”
“Of course. I’ll bring some food. I know a local sandwich shop I think you’ll like.”
“Perfect.” I feel a thrill rush through me at the thought of seeing him in less than twenty-four hours.
“Oh, and Indy?”
“Yeah?”
“You should know that dessert will be delayed until tomorrow night after Noah goes to bed.”
I hear the dial tone immediately follow while my whole body ignites at the thought of what awaits.
It’s been a week since we started sneaking around either while Noah’s in school or after he’s gone to bed. Today is the first time I’m going to Tyler’s place while Kalli has Noah for the day.
The minute I pull up to this family home, I confirm I’m at the right address. It’s a blue two-story colonial, with a wraparound porch, a swing, and a red front door. I envision the large oak trees that surround the front probably look like a Hallmark card during the holidays, with the fall leaves changing colors, along with the beautiful snow in the winter months.
Right now, the light blue paint is pristine, along with the white trim perfectly complimenting all the colors surrounding this beautiful neighborhood. I can’t stop staring at the picturesque view in front of me.
I finally step out of my car, still shocked Tyler is living in this house. I remember him mentioning he’s renting it from Georgie’s parents. My heart tugs at the sorrow that must blanket all of them at the loss of this missing piece in all their lives.
I make my way to the front door, and he swings it open before I even have a chance to ring the bell. He’s dressed in low-hanging basketball shorts and no shirt, his tattoos on full display; he’s completely edible right now. The smile he welcomes me with is enough to have my heart racing.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he says, pulling me in, stealing my breath away with a kiss.
He groans as he deepens the kiss, which is far too inappropriate for something at his front door, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I take in the woodsy smell he dons after a shower and melt further into him. His hair is still a little damp as I move my fingers through the ends. Once I pass the threshold, he kicks the door closed and pins me against it.
“I really missed you,” he says, moving his lips down along the column of my neck.
I giggle. “I can tell.”
“Being around you is never enough. Even if I had infinite hours, they’d never add up to enough with you,” he tells me as he plants open-mouthed kisses along my skin.
I grab his face and bring his lips back to mine and kiss him, relishing this time we have undisturbed. I feel like when we have gotten a moment at lunch or in the evening, I know one of us has to rush off. Right now, we have a few hours together, nowhere to be, so I’ll cherish it.
