Page 66 of Changing Lanes

I know if we can lay low until after this project is done, I’ll be the head of Harrington Holdings by the end of the year. I’m not sure what Brannon will think about it, but he keeps saying we can figure it out.

I’m a little nervous about spending time with Andi, though. What if she doesn’t like me? Brannon could never pick, I wouldn’t want him to. It’s more than obvious, she’s his world. It’s important she and I have a good relationship. What if I’m like my father? What if I don’t have the capacity to love a child?

“Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up for the aquarium?” Brannon asks with a smile.

“No, I want to see the farm.” I peer over his shoulder as he sets my GPS. “Do you not want me to see the farm?”

“I don’t mind at all. Just so you know, you’ll have to keep coming back.” He punches in a few more buttons.

“Besides, I’ve imagined it for years, it’ll be nice to get to see it,” I tell him as he finishes and raises up eye level with me.

“We’ll be waiting.” He kisses me before getting out of my car. “Come on, I need to get to going or I’ll stay here all night.”

Taking his hand, I climb out. “You would be more than welcome, you know that, right?”

“I do know that, but I promised Andi I’d be home before she goes to bed,” he says, taking me in his arms.

“Okay, but only because it’s Andi.” I kiss him.

“I love you. Thank you for giving us another chance.” His eyes glisten in the dying evening light.

“Thank you for loving me.” I smile. “I love you.” He takes me in his arms as we kiss sweetly.

“Okay. Tomorrow.” He nods kissing me again before getting in his truck and leaving. Brannon calls when he gets home, and I lay in bed talking with him for hours. Dreaming of him and what our future may hold.

I make the turn at the stop light in Shallotte as directed by the GPS. Two miles to go and my destination is on the right. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, I’m as nervous as I can be. A red roof comes into view across a field, followed by a two-story white house. A porch wraps around the house for as far as my eyes can see. I imagine us in the swing as our children play in the field.

On the porch, a strapping young man leans against the post. Legs crossed, hands in his pockets and a red ball cap. Holy fuck. Country boy just turned it up a notch, I’m ready to ride. Coming to a stop, I drink in the gorgeous man walking toward me. He smiles at me, I think I might have actually swooned.

“Since when do cowboys wear ball caps?” I question as I get out.

“Well, honey. I’m a southern country boy, not a cowboy. Besides, I can turn it backward,” he says with a wink.

“I’m seriously hoping you can do that with other things.” Scanning his body.

“You, naughty girl, are a little minx. Shame on you.” He swats my ass as I walk by. “Hey. Get back here, I need a kiss.” Tugging my hand.

“I thought we might wait. You know, in case Andi doesn’t care for it.” Surveying our surroundings, I lean into him. “I don’t want to upset her.”

“Torrie, baby. You are such an amazing person, it’s gonna be okay.” He presses his lips to mine.

“You don’t think I’ve changed?” I busy myself by pressing his shirt with hands.

“I’m sure we both have, but I don’t think it’s anything we can’t figure out. I mean, do you hate kids?” he asks sincerely.

“No.” My thoughts fade to a dark memory. “I love them,” I answer honestly.

“Maybe something I should’ve asked sooner but are you married? Engaged? Seeing someone?” He takes me by the hand, leading me to the steps.

“No way. No. Nope.” He chuckles at my last answer as we sit in the swing.

“Torrie, I’ve loved you for ten years. Do we know where this going? No. Do we have all the answers? No, baby. The one thing I do know, if we both spent the last ten years never falling in love with anyone else, thinking of the other, and making love the way we do, we’ll work it out.” He tugs me into the crook of his shoulder, holding me close.

Nervous energy plays in the pit of my stomach. “I don’t think I could bear losing you again.” It’s a scary thing, but I want him to know, I’m all in.

“I know. Hell, it might not always come easy, but there’s not another person in this world I want by my side, working for it.” He puts his hand on mine.

The fields lining the drive sway in the morning breeze as the sun glints and glistens off the dew. Warmth hits my feet with each back and forth of the swing. Brannon’s arm around my shoulder makes butterflies erupt in my belly. I could get used to this.