They look at one another. “Then go on a date now. We’ll stay at Grandma and Grandpa’s.” Wren smiles wide.
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you both come over for dinner tonight? I’ll cook.”
“YAY!” the girls cheer in unison.
I turn to Bennett. “And how about you?”
“You don’t even have to ask.” He winks.
I wonder when it will be okay to give him a quick kiss in front of the girls. Jeez, I need to get myself under control.
I leave the truck, letting Leia out. As we stand at my car, it feels weird and not right that we’re about to leave them. But we have kids to think about. We can’t go rogue and move in together right away, right?
Still, saying goodbye feels so wrong.
Bennett crouches, and Leia hugs him. He tells her how proud he is that she stuck it out and spent the night with Lottie and that he understands how scary it is to wake up from a nightmare somewhere you’ve never been before. She nods and goes in for another hug.
Tears cling to my eyelashes. I distract myself by saying goodbye to Wren, giving her a hug of my own and telling her I can’t wait to see her tonight.
Bennett kisses my cheek and pats my ass behind the girls’ backs, and I climb into the car, leaving my heart with him.
How long we can do this, I have no idea, but as I look in the rearview mirror at Leia, I know I have to be patient for her. She needs time to adjust too. But I meant what I told them. I’m certain the day will come when we’re all under the same roof.
Chapter Forty-Four
Delaney
The lasagna is still steaming when Brad sets the dish on the table.
It’s the weekly family dinner at the Owens’, and Leia and I were invited. Since it’s our first time, I took the seat next to Leia with Bennett across from me, which is slightly disappointing since I was kind of hoping for some leg squeezes under the table.
We’ve been doing a lot as a family since we told the girls, not wanting them to feel left out. We’ve taken walks around the lake at night, built fires, and made s’mores. We’ve done dinners and gone out for ice cream. But the only time I’m really alone with Bennett is when we’re both working.
Sure, the quickies in his office and the long make-out sessions in his truck have been nice, but they haven’t nearly satisfied me, or him I’m sure. I keep reminding myself that we have a lifetime together as long as we get a solid foundation with the girls. We’re not early-twenty-somethings anymore, with little responsibility except for ourselves. We have two little ones to think about now.
“It’s so good, Leia,” Wren says. “My grandma is a better cook than Uncle Jensen.” She whispers the last part.
“I’m gonna tell him you said that,” Lottie teases, her smile showing that she’s joking.
“It looks delicious, Darla,” I say, catching Bennett staring at me.
A smug smile plays at the edge of his mouth. I tilt my head, wondering why. Lottie helps dish out kid-size portions of lasagna to Wren and Leia as I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I glance at Bennett. He already has his fork in hand.
Not that many people text me, and I don’t want be rude, so I pull it out and casually check under the table to make sure it isn’t an emergency. With Levi competing in the rodeo, I always fear I’ll get a call from the hospital one day.
Tell me you’re not wearing panties under that dress.
I nearly choke on my own breath from surprise.
I catch him watching me, his eyes full of mischief, pretending he didn’t just light a fire in me.
When I shift in my seat, every inch of fabric clinging to my skin feels too tight. I threw on this sundress because I was done with the shorts and T-shirts and jeans I have to wear at work all week. It felt nice to dress up a little, but now I want to go buy a whole lot of them if they get Bennett to look at me as though he wants me to meet him in the bathroom.
I take a slow sip of lemonade, then type back with one hand, using the other to steady my phone beneath the tablecloth.
Maybe you’ll find out later. ;)
Across the table, his mouth twitches. He’s chewing, nodding along to whatever Brooks is saying about the house they’re building, but he glances in my direction every few seconds. Then he nonchalantly rests his fork on the table and looks down at his lap.
