Page 86 of Unsure in Love

I smiled back. “You’re a complicated woman, Cass, but... I like it.”

She snorted. “That’s because you’re just as crazy as I am.”

I laughed. “Maybe. Or it could be because I’m so into you and I want you in my life. And not just because we’re having a kid together.”

Her eyes widened.

“Although I knew my dad didn’t have a lot of time left, it still hit me hard. Losing him drove home the fact that life is short. I don’t want to spend any more time holding back. I’m not sure how it happened because I didn’t expect to want a serious relationship, but then I met you and it’s what I want now. You’re who I want to be with and having a family in the making is a plus.” At that, I blew out a long breath and hoped for the best.

“I thought you were here to break up with me,” she said. “If that’s even the right term to use. I mean, we never established…” Her blush went from rose pink to crimson and I watched her with mild amusement.

If I told her she was adorable when she blushed, she’d probably hate it. “How about we establish what we are now?”

There was a flicker of fear in her eyes, which I expected to see. Damn Henry for ruining our progress. However, she surprised me when she said, “I’d like that.”

“Okay.” I grinned. “We’re together.”

A hint of a smile played on her lips, but she twisted her hands in her lap. “When I didn’t hear from you, I thought you got fed up with my hot-then-cold attitude.”

“I wouldn’t call it that. You have emotional trauma to work through. I get that.”

“And you’re willing to put up with it?”

Her dubious tone made me smile. “I got on a plane and showed up at your doorstep after midnight to tell you I want to be with you, didn’t I?”

Her expression softened. “Good point.”

We seemed to reach a silent understanding as we watched each other, but I needed to hear her confirm that we were done playing and going in circles.

“Do you want me in your life, Cass? I mean, as more than the guy who you accidentally got pregnant with.”

She let out a little laugh. “That’s what I want, but…”

I nodded. She didn’t have to say it. “I know you want to be cautious. We’ll go slow. All I ask is that you don’t shut me out again.”

She took a deep breath. “I think I can do that. What about our other thousand-mile problem?”

The distance was a nuisance, only because I had this need to see her every day. “We’ll make it work for now. I don’t want you traveling too much as you advance in your pregnancy, so I’d go back and forth.”

She gazed at me for a moment then nodded. “Okay.”

I let out a long, exhausted breath. Now that I felt secure about where Cass and I stood, the grief I’d been stifling for days flooded me. As if sensing that, she got up, walked over, and held out a hand.

When I placed mine in it, she led me to her bedroom and threw the covers back. Smiling, I shrugged off my shirt and jeans and kicked off my shoes. When she slid in beside me, I pulled her close. That night, I felt more comforted than I had in a while.

Although I still mourned my father, I wouldn’t dwell on that pain for too long. A new chapter of my life was in progress, one that included a girlfriend and a baby. Dad would want me to focus on them.

* * *

Cass stirred beside me, and I opened my eyes. It was still super early because there was no sunlight peeking through the gold curtains. That meant I’d only gotten about three hours of sleep, yet, I felt energized. I suppose that was due to my excitement about the new chapter Cass and I were starting… together. I glanced down and melted at the sight of her snuggled up against me. Her head rested on my shoulder and her hand splayed over my heart—which she now owned.

I ran my thumb over her cheek, brushing away strands of hair that had fallen across her face. The gentle touch didn’t wake her, so I admired her some more. The usual shadow of worry was gone from her face.

Her long silky lashes fanned her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted. I stared at her mouth, wanting to kiss her. My heart constricted because I was amazed that I felt so much for her in the short time I’d known her. As if she felt me watching, her eyes fluttered open.

I held my breath as I gazed into dark green pools. Would she freak out like she did the first time I spent the night at her place? She smiled and my breath escaped as a relieved sigh.

“Hey,” she greeted and stretched.

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