Page 88 of A Me and Him Thing
“Yep. She misses you something awful.”
“Are you sleeping in my bed?” There’s something romantic about the thought.
“I am. Is that okay?”
“As long as you don’t wash the sheets. When I return home, I want my bed to smell like you.” He always smells so good.
“That could possibly be the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.” He scoots his chair closer. He doesn’t touch me. But I love having him close. He studies me with his intense gaze. His eyes are filled with light and life. Some people have dead eyes, like no one’s home. Not Ren. Looking into his eyes is like seeing inside his soul.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” His voice is a balm, healing me. “When I heard the news, I…well, let’s just say it scared the heck out of me.”
“I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. But I do owe you an apology. I left you when you needed someone the most. I’m so sorry. I want to stand by your side as you face life. I know we have to keep things on a friendship level only. I accept it. I even respect you for your loyalty. But someday…someday life will come for us. I’ll be ready and waiting. However long it takes.”
His eyes widen with glittering intensity. “Thank you, Bree. I’d…I’d love that. Not very many women would hang around waiting for a man to be free. I can’t…I can’t tell you what it means to me.”
His voice cracks. I think I might’ve left Ren speechless.
Our eyes hold each other’s. I want to kiss him, feel his arms around me. For now, our eyes are the only thing that can touch.
“I wanted to do some kind of grand gesture when I told you my decision. That didn’t quite work out.” I grimace, feeling disappointed.
“Oh, I’d say saving a little girl’s life was a grand gesture. Can’t think of a better one.”
“You know what? You’re worth waiting for, Ren Chambers.” Again, our eyes are locked.
Ren breaks the spell we’re under. “Okay, it’s waffle Sunday, and we’re watching a movie on the couch while we eat so you can be comfortable. Sound good?”
“That sounds amazing.”
“And I,” Ren starts moving pillows out of the way, “get to carry you to the couch.”
“I can walk, you know.”
“Don’t take this away from me,” he says in his silky voice.
“You know what? It hurts horribly to walk. I can hardly stand the pain. Please carry me.”
“What’s that? You’re in pain? Don’t worry, Bree. I’ll carry you,” Ren says loudly, so the whole household can hear him.
It’s the loudest I’ve ever heard him speak.
I wrap my arms around Ren’s neck, loving the feel of being held in his arms. His heart feels as though it’s about to beat out of his chest.
I do that to him. Me.
As we enter the living room, Jack raises one eyebrow. “You two aren’t fooling anyone.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Dad. Just helping a girl in need.”
“Yeah, and the sun is red, and the moon is purple.” Jack takes a large bite of waffle.
Kate squishes her face in thought, then runs to the window. “The sun isn’t red, Grandpa.”
We all burst into laughter at her cuteness.
Ren explains the joke to her so she doesn’t feel as though we’re all laughing at her.
The family has chosen to watchThe Sound of Musictogether. One of my favorites.
