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“You mean,yourfamily.”
Her earnest gaze met his. “I feel like I’m getting closer to him. When he abandoned his plans with Miranda and they showed up at the hospital... It really meant a lot to me. Haley is easy. We have a lot in common. She’s so open to having me here.”
“Miranda wants to protect her kids and Nate from any upset.” Cody had seen the wary way Miranda watched everything unfolding.
“She’s the kind of mom mine isn’t. And I get it. They’re her heart. She’s only truly happy if all of them are.”
“And Natalie is unhappy and making waves, making it hard for you to fit in.”
“I sometimes feel like I’ll never really fit anywhere.”
He wanted her to believe she fit here, with him. “You and I together feels so right that I have a hard time believing and trusting in it.” He figured she could relate to that.
“You’re afraid I’ll disappoint you.”
He shook his head, even though he knew that was part of it, but focused on what was more important to him. “I just want it to be what I want it to be.” The picture in his head. The feeling in his heart matched by hers.
“I totally understand that and feel the same way. So we’ll keep things real and honest and see where that takes us.”
“I hope it leads to more time together and another kiss tonight.”
Her cheeks pinked and she leaned in.
He met her halfway and kissed her softly, tasting the garlic and tomato sauce from her dinner. He wanted to dive in for more, but now wasn’t the time. Not after the day she had. But one kiss led to two, led to a third before he pulled back and smiled at her. “I think we’re getting good at that.”
Her soft, sweet smile warmed his heart. “I could definitely get used to that with you.”
“It’s starting to feel like a craving I can’t deny.”
She kissed him softly, then put her hand on his face and looked deep into his eyes. “You are so unexpected.”
“I like that you feel that way. It seems to me your life has been one way for far too long. I’m happy to change that for you, so you’ll be looking for good things to happen and not always thinking the worst is coming.”
“That has become a bad habit of mine.”
He wanted to stay longer, but the fatigue in her eyes told him she needed some rest. “How are you feeling?”
“The pain meds are wearing off. The headache is gone. I feel drained.”
He stacked all the dishes on the tray, then stood. He held out his hand to her.
She took it and stood with him.
He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Get some rest. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
“I’d like that.”
He cupped her face and kissed her, long and deep, then kissed her on the forehead. “I don’t want to let you go, but...” He left it hanging because they both knew he wasn’t staying. Tonight wasn’t the night. But soon. He hoped. Because having this gorgeous, sweet, kind, and giving woman so close made him want and need like nothing he’d ever felt.
She looked up at him with her beautiful blue eyes. “Good night, Cody.”
He brushed his lips to hers one more time, then reluctantly released her, grabbed the tray, and walked with her back into her room, then out her door.
She gave him one last look, then closed the door softly.
He missed her already, but hoped she got a good night’s sleep so they could do something together tomorrow.
He wanted to hold on to the memories of tonight, the feelings that overwhelmed him when he kissed Summer, and the anticipation he had to see her again in the morning.
