“Come on before they notice we’re missing.”
I hate that my heart sinks. I hate that I’m questioning if he’s hiding for my benefit or for his. I hate that I won’t take the risk of getting my heart smashed beyond repair to be with him. After watching what Aurora went through with her ex, I promised myself I wouldn’t settle. That I would hold out for a man who loved me. I want more than anything for Conrad to be that man. The problem is I’m too afraid to find out.
With his hand on the small of my back, Conrad leads me out of the laundry room, and we make our way to the kitchen. Just before we reach the door, he drops his hand, and I miss his touch. I miss the warmth of his touch and the comfort that it brings me.
“There she is.” Marshall cheers when we walk into the room.
“Hey.” I wave and offer him a smile.
“Thanks for these.” Stanley holds up a cookie from where he stands at the counter in front of the Warm Delights box.
“You’re welcome.”
“Everyone grab a plate. It’s ready,” Lena says, pulling the last of three large pans of baked spaghetti out of the oven.
I turn my head to find Conrad watching me. He shrugs, and I can’t help but wonder if he requested his mom make baked spaghetti. The same meal we had the first night in the cabin. Was that really just a week ago? It feels as if a lifetime has passed.
Everyone grabs a plate and lines up, leaving Conrad and me at the back of the line. His hand that’s closest to the counter rests on my hip, where no one can see. I want to turn and tell him to stop, that someone might see, but it’s him and me while the others fill their plates in front of us. It might also feel nice to have his hands on me. I crave his touch.
Lena and Stanley are the last to filter out of the room, leaving Conrad and me to fill our plates. “I love Mom’s spaghetti, but I wish we were back in the cabin, just the two of us,” Conrad says, keeping his voice low.
“I’m sure you can think of better things to do.” I keep my eyes on my plate as I add a scoop of spaghetti and begin to add salad.
“The only thing that would be better would be you being with me now. Here.”
His words cause me to freeze. Slowly, I turn to look at him. “You can’t say things like that.”
“I say what I mean, Aspen. Something happened in that cabin. I know you feel it.” He reaches out and places his hand on my cheek. “I miss you like fucking crazy,” he says huskily. “All I do is think about you.”
“Conrad—” I start but find myself freezing again when he leans in and places his lips on my forehead. “Let me show you, Aspen. Let me show you what I feel when it comes to you.”
“We need to go,” I say, turning and walking into the dining room. There are two empty seats right when you walk in. There are others around the table, but none of them are next to my sister, so it would appear odd if I were to take them. Instead, I sit, knowing Conrad will take the seat next to me.
I’ve barely got my chair pushed in when he indeed takes a seat next to me. I ignore him the best that I can, but having him so close and pretending he’s not there is almost impossible.
“Now, tell us all about it. How was the honeymoon?” Lena asks.
“Mom, I don’t really want to hear about all the details,” Marshall whines. “She’s our sister, and yeah, no.” He shakes his head, and we all laugh.
“Oh, hush.” She waves him off. “I hope you enjoyed yourselves,” Lena tries again.
“It was everything we hoped it would be,” Aurora answers. She looks at Grant, and so much love passes between them in a single glance.
“Wonderful. Welcome home,” Stanley says.
Carter shoves a noodle into his mouth and giggles, capturing our attention. Owen and Layla praise him as conversations filter around the table. I keep to myself and focus on eating and ignoring Conrad.
“Aspen, how was the bakery this week? I was expecting a phone call,” Lena says.
“It was good. Busy, but the new help we hired is doing an outstanding job.”
“I was hoping to get some man time in with my boy Carter, but you never called,” Stanley says dramatically. “This one is a baby hog, so you calling her away would have given us some man time.”
“Stop.” Lena pushes at his arms, smiling warmly. “I’m glad you had a good week,” she tells me.
More conversation with great food and good company. My sister is beaming with happiness, and I’m thrilled for her that she has this new extended family who so graciously brought not only her but me into their fold.
“Well, boys, it’s time to get on the dishes,” Stanley says, after all of our plates have been cleared.
“I can help.” I stand, but Conrad does at the same time, placing his hand on mine.
“It’s fine, babe. We’ve got this. Go gossip with the rest of the women.” My breath hitches at the term of endearment.
“Hey!” Sawyer calls out. “We do not gossip.”
“Yeah, it’s called catching up,” Layla defends.
“Fine. Go catch up.” Conrad chuckles.
Nodding, I pull my hand from under his and follow my sister, and her new sisters-in-law, and mother-in-law into the living room. As soon as we’re seated, Sawyer surprises me.
“He’s been acting different,” she says.
“Who?” Aurora asks.
“Conrad.”
“I’ve noticed that too,” Lena agrees.
“Me too,” Layla announces.
All eyes turn to me. “I-I haven’t noticed.”
“He stayed home last night,” Lena tells them. “He called me around nine, and he was at home. It’s been that way for a couple of months now.”
All eyes turn to me. “What?”
“Well, you were with him for a few days up in the cabin. Did he say anything to you?” Lena asks.
I’m a terrible liar. Terrible as in I can’t do it. “We kissed,” I blurt and quickly cover my face. I cannot believe that I just told his mom that of all people.
His. Mom.
“I knew it!” Lena scoots to the edge of her seat. “I thought I saw some sparks between the two of you. Is he treating you good?” she asks.
I find my sister's eyes from across the room. “We’re uh… we’re not dating.”
“Well, why not?” she asks.
“Yeah, babe, why not?” I hear Conrad ask from behind me.
“Can we not do this right now?”
He sits on the floor in front of me, resting his back between my legs. His hand rests on my calf, and even through my leggings, the heat of his touch scorches my skin. “Take all the time you need,” he says once he’s settled.
“All the time she needs for what?” Stanley asks.
“I’m trying to convince Aspen to go out with me, Dad,” Conrad tells him. “She needs more time.”
“Make him work for it, sweetheart.” Stanley winks. “These boys need to know what it’s like to put in the work.”
“Hey, I put in work,” Royce objects.
“So did I,” Owen adds.
“I think we can all agree that I worked the hardest,” Grant chimes in.