Page 55 of Forbidden Love

“That’s good for you,” she said as I topped up her mug next to the stove.

I leaned a hip against the counter as she folded the omelet in the skillet. “I like waking up to the smell of your cooking.”

She smiled, the corner of her eyes crinkling in amusement. “You like being taken care of.”

“I’ve lived on my own for a while, so I can’t say this happens unless I go to my parents’ for family dinner. I’d like to cook for you sometime too.” I brushed a strand of hair off her forehead, a surge of tenderness going through me.

She met my gaze and said, “I’d like that.”

She plated the omelet, placing sliced avocados and tomatoes on top. “Can you grab the toast from the toaster oven?”

She carried our plates to the counter while I placed the toast on another plate. Eggs, toast, coffee, and Kylie all rumpled from sleep. It was the perfect morning, and I was glad I didn’t have to miss it.

“What are your plans for today?” I asked as I sat next to her and dug into the omelet.

“I’m going to reach out to the newspaper and maybe the radio station to ask if we could spread the word.”

“That’s a great idea. Did you know the town has an event coordinator of sorts? I don’t know her official title, but she plans the festivals, enters the town into contests, and works with the mayor to make the town better. She might be able to help.”

“That would be great. Can you send me her contact information?”

“Of course,” I said, making quick work of the omelet. I was starving after last night. “We should talk about the rest of the blueprint. We didn’t finish the basement or the bedrooms.”

She paused and looked up at me. “Are you seriously considering the house I picked?”

“It’s a good one.”

“Shouldn’t you build the house you want?” she asked carefully.

“Honestly, any one of the two-story builds are fine, but I hadn’t thought of making those small tweaks to make it more customized for me. I don’t know why.” I shrugged. “Thanks for letting me see the possibilities.”

She reached over and touched my forearm briefly. “You’re welcome.”

Is this what a relationship was? Two people contributing to each other’s lives, giving advice and help? If so, I liked it. I liked having someone to come home to at the end of the day, even if that wasn’t quite what this was.

It was nice to have support that wasn’t just my parents or my brothers. I’d talked to Alice on occasion, but this was different. I had this sense that Kylie had my back.

“Will you help me look at cabinets and fixtures? I’m not as good at the design stuff.”

“I’d love to,” she said around a mouthful of eggs.

I leaned over and kissed her softly. She was everything I’d want in a woman if I was looking to settle down. Too bad it wasn’t the right time.

“What was that for?” Kylie asked me.

“I just wanted to.” When had I ever reached over to kiss someone during breakfast just because? I’d never done anything like that, but then I’d never been this close to someone before.

For the first time, I felt lighter and even hopeful that there was something out there for me too. I wouldn’t just be watching Mac and Sam live their lives with their families. Maybe I could have one of my own.

“We’ll push the softball game fundraiser really hard for the next week and a half and hope it goes well.”

“If not, we can just donate the time and supplies to do a few. Give the community an idea of what we’re trying to do. Maybe once they see it, they’ll be more into it.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “You shouldn’t have to do that. I appreciate the offer, but I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that.”

“We could require the team to help us. They’d be learning a skill, and it would be good to involve them in the end product.” We’d discussed the possibility before, but I thought it was important to include the kids.

“It would be like everyone was contributing. I like that.”

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