“I don’t think so, honey.” I laugh.
Dax’s eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles too.
The whole way home, Jacob tries to make his case to get goats and a dog, but we don’t bite.
As we pull up to our house, I mentally sift through the options of what I should wear tonight.
“I’ll pick you up in a couple hours? Around seven?”
As Jacob jumps out of Dax’s truck, slamming the door behind him, I lean over the console to kiss Dax. “Perfect,” I whisper against his lips, then kiss him again.
I can still hear his groan as I get out.
I like the effect I have on him. It’s a drug in its own way, just as kissing him is.
On my way inside, I text Sienna for fashion advice, wanting to up my game a little.
For my date with Dax.
We’ve been on a few romantic dates, but this one feels more special somehow. Maybe it’s because it’s the holiday season. I’ve always thought Christmas was magical. It’s probably due to all the Hallmark movies I watch every year.
But as I try on outfit after outfit, I admit it’s mostly Dax. His considerate nature. The tender way he places his hand on my lower back when we walk.
Spending nights wrapped up in his sheets… and him.
When we’re together, no matter what we’re doing, he makes me feel comfortable yet feminine and sexy.
Every date—every moment—is special with him.
Thirty-Four
Dax
She’s breathtaking in her red dress that sways across the floor, and her wavy hair is pulled to the side.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper against her cheek, then kiss her.
“Thank you.” She dips her head like she’s shy. Exhaling, she toys with the buttons down my shirt. “You look handsome. Almost too handsome to take out in public. I want you all to myself.”
“I was thinking the same about you.” I offer her my arm.
All throughout dinner, she smiles and holds my hand like we’ve been doing the last several weeks. Like I’ve wanted her to do all my life.
We’ve fallen into a new rhythm—our own song. I’m busy at the hospital, and Clara’s picking up a few more hours at the magazine. Then, we come home to each other at night. I usually stay with her, but if Jacob’s staying with her parents or with Luke, she’ll stay at my place.
We have toothbrushes at each other’s houses.
Clothes.
Travel coffee mugs.
We’re slowly meshing our lives together.
“Are you still coming to Jacob’s basketball game tomorrow night? He hasn’t stopped talking about you being there all week.”
“Of course.” I take a drink of water. I’ve only made it to one other game. “I wouldn’t miss tomorrow.”
Her smile brightens the whole damn room. “Good.”
She cuts into her grilled chicken and takes a bite. Her nostrils flare, making me shift in my seat.
She’s too sexy. She can make anything sexy—eating chicken, doing laundry in her thin tank, and even gardening.
With dirt on her hands and face, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
And she’s mine.
I hope to make her mine forever.
But I’ll be patient and wait for the right time. I’ve waited for Clara for years, so a couple more weeks shouldn’t be a problem.
But it’s torture, going another second without putting a ring on her finger.
“I talked to Willow today.”
“How is she?”
I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “She and Zach are still waiting for good news, but they’re hoping soon. She’s getting restless. Zach said she’s been so antsy with all this waiting that she’s even cleaned out most of the garage.”
“And that’s unusual?”
“Well, let’s just say, they’ve never used the garage for their car. Too much clutter because she feels the need to hold on to everything. Says she’s sentimental.” I shake my head. “I told her with a baby around, though, she’s going to have to make room. Which means she’ll clear out her old stuff only to hoard baby stuff.”
Clara’s bright expression falls, only slightly, like it was an accident, but her smile is quick, firmly back in place.
“What?” I ask, concerned.
She clears her throat. “What an exciting time for them, that’s all.”
“It really is. And for me. I’ll be an uncle. How about that?”
For a moment, I get lost in the bright lights around me, thinking of a future where Jacob shows my future niece or nephew how to play basketball and baseball someday.
Family barbecues.
Sunday brunch.
My mind races, thinking about adding another baby to the mix. Clara’s and my baby.
Clara’s stomach swelling with our son or daughter.
Jacob as a big brother.
The thoughts bring tears of joy to my eyes, like my life is finally complete since Clara and I kissed all those months ago.
Now, as I gaze across the table at her, through the candlelight glow, I can almost taste our future.
“I love you.” I whisper the words to the one person I’ve only ever dreamed of saying them to.
To the one woman I’ve only ever felt like this about.
My lips tingle from finally having uttered the three words that were always on the tip of my tongue when Clara was around.
They’re out in the open now.
My heart thunders like it grew tiny fists that are now beating against the walls of my chest. The sound is deafening, muffling the soft piano in the corner of the room.
Our eyes lock.
“I love you,” I repeat, louder and more firmly.
“I love you too.” She reaches forward and squeezes my hand in hers, her lips parted. They twitch in the corners, and her eyes glisten.
My body sags with relief, relishing her words. Wanting to memorize this moment. Inscribe it on my brain like a tattoo.
I could yell it from the rooftops, have her print it in her magazine, and write it on my forehead for all to know.
She loves me.
Here, in a dim restaurant where all the tables are covered with white tablecloths, out in the open, Clara and I just confessed our love for each other.
Not in a friendly way like I’d say I love Staci and Brooks. No.
Clara’s in love with me.
I’ve waited all of my adult life for this moment, but it’s better than I could’ve imagined.
Thirty-Five
Clara
The morning after our date, I feel Dax’s lips against my forehead, but I don’t open my eyes. “Sleep. We need sleep,” I groan, turning over to face his side of the bed. “Where are you off to so early?”
“Time for me to go to work.” He smooths my hair back. “But you sleep. Rest. You said your mom will take Jacob to school, right?”
I nod, a lazy smile spreading across my lips. “I have work today too, though, so I should probably get moving as well.”
“Have a good day.” He cradles my head and gives me a long kiss, one that I’ll be dreaming about all day. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
With a wink, he’s out of here, and I’m left feeling like I just went on a first date that ended really well. I feel like my friend Melanie did when she went out with the guy she ended up marrying.