He let out a deep breath. “Really?”
“Nope, we don’t have much time, do we?”
“Probably not.”
“So, a quick appetizer now, and you promise me the main course later?” I kissed my way down his abs while he growled my name as I unbuttoned his jeans. Little Fern can take control and bring the man to his knees. #romancewarrior.
An hour later, I lay on my bed with a smile I couldn’t have gotten off my face if my life depended on it. The vision of Gabe hightailing it out my window, boots in hand, when we heard the front door open, sent delightful tingles everywhere.
I couldn’t keep my eyes from the promise ring with a new promise attached to it. There was something more. Who the hell knew what, but we both wanted it. All of the times I poo-pooed my friends and shot endless eye rolls in their directions when it came to feelings, well, I owed them a fruit basket or something.
A tap on the door. “It’s Dave. How are you feeling?”
“So much better.” Truth. I hopped up and unlocked the door. “Come in.”
He walked over and plopped down on the bed, leaned back on a pillow, and fear ripped through me. Was Gabe’s scent or cologne on there? “Fern, I wish you could stick around longer before you’re off across the globe again.”
“Well, you’ll be happy to hear I may be coming back for another visit sooner than I thought.”
“That’s great!” He sat up quickly, and my heart rate started to regulate. “What made you decide that?”
I didn’t want to lie. I needed to pull a half-truth because it was my bro. “Now that I think about it, I need to see more of your games.” That was a good one. “And our parents aren’t getting any younger so more visits are something I’m going to make happen.”
“The family princess has made me happy.” His grin caused guilt to bubble up.
“I’m not, Dave.”
“Yes, you are, but I know you’ll always have a little gangster under your crown.” He laughed before plopping back down on Gabe’s pillow again. I quickly yanked it from under him and threw mine in his direction. “I don’t want your big old head squishing my pillow.”
He looked over. “Hey, you know I have a big noggin because my brain is much more intelligent than the average gent.”
“Whatever.”
“So did you ever go on a second date with that drug lord?”
“The pharmacist?” I giggled and shoved his arm. “I did because he was cute, but every conversation led back to his mommy.”
He rolled on his side, using a feminine voice. “He did not call her mommy!”
“Yes, yes he did. When I see a red flag, I tend to grab some scissors and make a red heart out of it.”
“A normal, upstanding guy is just around the corner. And if he messes with you, I’ll be around the other corner to beat him senseless.”
“And you wonder why I choose not to bring any suitors home to meet the family?”
“Come on, I’m not that bad.” He chuckled. “Well, maybe I am. How about I reel it in, and you bring the next fella home for a visit?”
Gasp. “Well, if my bro is willing to act like a grown up, I guess I can too. Maybe I’ll find someone like Liv. How are you guys doing?”
“Okay. But everybody keeps telling me I should be thinking of buying her a ring.”
“Does any part of you want to settle down now? It’s been about two years, right?”
“Yes.” His voice was so quiet. “Does time dictate when you buy a ring? If nothing in me is telling me to do that, does that mean something is wrong?”
I was a little stunned as I’d assumed Dave had no doubts when it came to Liv. “No, I don’t think so. You can’t propose unless you’re certain it’s right. It’s okay to not know. Some things just take time to figure out. It’s good not to push it.”
“I always thought it’d be like a lighting strike. No wondering. I’d just know.”
