Page 92
“If you say so.”
He got plates, she moved some eggs to hers and gave him the rest, then he put two pieces of toast on both of them.
This homey feel had been missing from his life for too long.
Things he’d always wanted and thought he had, only to have them fall apart.
And maybe that was part of his problem.
He wanted more than he felt he was worth.
And the woman in front of him—she was better than those in his past.
But if he’d said that, it’d only piss her off.
They ate breakfast, the serious conversation over, her giving him a brief kiss, then walking out his door with the promise they’d talk soon.
“Tiff said she had fun yesterday,” Bella said the minute she climbed in his car hours later.
“That’s good.”
“Can we do something with Marly next weekend too?”
Seemed he wasn’t the only one jumping into action fast.
“I’m not sure. I doubt it’s going to be a weekend thing where we have to entertain you.”
“I don’t need to be entertained, Colson. I just like her.” His sister shrugged. “It’s nice having a woman around who is younger. I mean younger than Jane.”
He had to remember that Bella had never had a mother figure in her life.
No one she could latch onto and talk with.
The last thing he needed was to put that kind of pressure on Marly though.
“She is. And I’m sure she’d enjoy spending time with you too.”
“But you want some alone time too,” Bella said. “Got it. When did she leave?”
“Does it really matter when?” he asked.
Bella turned and looked at him, then laughed. “I guess not. Just that I like her. Do you?”
“I wouldn’t have had you two meet if I didn’t.”
He saw the stunned look in Bella’s eyes, then turned to look straight ahead. “You’ll let me know if anything I do causes problems with you two?”
Oh shit.
This was the last thing he wanted to happen.
“If you do anything, it’s not going to be major. You’re a kid and shit happens. But what is between Marly and me is just that. Between us. Don’t carry that weight. Just like I told you before about our father and me and what he said to you. Got it?”
Her smile was slow, unsure and forced, but she gave it to him anyway. “Sure.”
He supposed it was the best he could ask for now.
22
