Page 65 of Your Love is Enough

Jacob opened the oven and closed it with wide-eyed surprise. “Okay, sis, what’s going on? That’s lasagna and garlic bread in the oven. You never make lasagna.”

Stacey grabbed plates out of the cabinet and forks and knives. “Here. Instead of asking questions, you two can help set the table.”

Kristen grabbed the plates with a smirk. “Does this have anything to do with the extra car in the driveway this morning?”

Stacey’s body warmed, and she checked her text. He was on his way and should be here soon. “Not gonna lie, but yes. It does. And he’ll be here soon.” She got out the salad and dressing.

“So, all went well last night?” Jacob asked.

“Yep.”

There was a knock on the door, and her heart jumped. “Now finish setting these out and get the food out of the oven.” She threw her oven mitts at Jacob and hurried to the door.

There he stood. Gray shirt, black pants. Dress shoes. Perfect. Stacey grabbed Tristan’s shirt and pulled him to her so their lips could greet each other, and what a greeting it was. Her body was on fire. Her heart was full. Maybe they could skip dinner. She shut the door, and Jacob stood there in their way.

They would have to eat.

Dinner was amazing. The company was better. Stacey thought her face would break from the smile that wouldn’t go away. She loved Tristan here, around her table with her brother and best friend.

It felt right. She felt good and complete.

Once dinner was over, Kristen and Jacob promised to clean up since Stacey cooked,

she and Tristan went outside.

They leaned on the deck railing and talked about everything.I can’t believe I doubted him. I doubted this.She held his hand tighter and looked at him. “I love you.” His smile made her insides go squishy.

He put his arms around her waist and placed a kiss on her hair. “I love hearing those words from you. There was a time I thought I was crazy. Continuing to fight for your attention. I’ve never worked so hard for a first date in my life.”

“I’m glad you didn’t give up.”

“I’ll never give up on us.” His eyes smoldered deep into hers.

She sucked in a breath. She knew what he said was true.

His hand curled around her neck. “I know you’ve had bad luck with guys, but we aren’t all bad. Some of us don’t give our hearts away easily. I haven’t been in a relationship for…” He stopped to think. “It’s been a long time.”

His lips closed in on hers in a kiss that ignited her insides. He kissed her with so much passion that her lips were on fire. Her heart was beating out of control.

“I love being here with you. I love you so much, Stacey.” His mouth left hers and traveled down her neck. Wherever his lips touched skin, shock waves of desire flooded throughout her body. He pulled away, and his breath was rapid.

Her heart was thundering.

His hand tucked her hair behind her ear. “Maybe we should take this somewhere else.”

She liked the sound of that.

Working at Summit Woman’s Center was so different, yet Stacey found herself loving every second of it. She was always busy, and the chaos kept her focused. March flew by as Stacey’s days were spent at the hospital, and her nights were with Tristan as often as possible. She was finally into work enough that she’d gotten to know some of the nurses.

She was taking a much-needed lunch break with her coworkers, Carla and Gina. Gina was a handful of a girl. Pink hair, multiple piercings in her ears, arms covered with tattoos, and a mouth that went with it. It always impressed Stacey how quickly she could turn off the attitude when she walked into a patient’s room and turn it right back on as soon as she left. Everyone always told her she was going to forget where she was one day, and that attitude would get her in trouble.

Carla, on the other hand, was as sweet as she was pretty. She came from a wealthy family and had the best of everything growing up. She lived with some nursing friends at a high-rise condo right in downtown Nashville. Stacey wasn’t sure what the rent was, but knew she couldn’t afford it and wouldn’t want to even if she split it four ways.

They were talking about some of the new moms on the floor and eating a quick lunch when the door opened and quiet fell over the room. Doctors and board members walked in. They do rounds and check in on the different floors from time to time.

Stacey’s heart fell. Dr. Hensley was with them. They had talked a couple of times at the house, and they got along well, but Stacey was really hoping to keep her private and work relationships separate.

No such luck.

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