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“Are you surprised about that?” he asked.
“No. Not after the bombshell that was dropped on me yesterday.”
“What?” he asked.
She could tell he was concerned. “It’s nothing. Or it’s silly and stupid. It’s fine.”
“It’s not silly or stupid if you’re upset over it.”
“It feels it now. I was so excited to give that bike to Eli and he loved it. He really did. I was going to teach him to ride it and my father and brother were going to help.”
“I know,” he said. “You told me you planned it all out. I found it very sweet that you were including your brother and father in it.”
“They are like fathers to Eli too. But I didn’t need to do that. Eli already knew how to ride a bike. Jeff and his father and brother taught Eli a few weeks ago.”
“You didn’t know that?” he asked.
“Jeff told Eli not to tell me. That’d I’d be upset and mad and scared,” she said. “I wasn’t and didn’t act that way. It’s all a game to him. When I dropped Eli off, he told Jeff right away he got a bike. I’d never tell Eli he couldn’t tell his father something. Then Jeff smirked at me and asked if I was told that Eli already knew how to ride.”
“What a dick,” he said.
“Yeah. But I did what I always do. I put a smile on my face. I praised my son for the way he rode his bike and then I told him I was happy he already knew because now he could just take off with his friends as I enjoyed the sunshine outside while he played.”
“Good for you,” he said. “I hope he said that to Jeff.”
“He did,” she said. “I’d never tell him to. I was happy that Eli could ride because he was just so proud of himself and excited to show me. I’d never take that away from him. It was a side benefit that he said it to Jeff and I got to see the smirk fall from Jeff’s face.”
“One good thing,” he said. “You said Eli got two bikes, so I’m sure that Jeff had to make sure you saw he got one bigger and better?”
“Yep. But I kept the smile on my face, gave Eli a hug and kiss and said I’d talk to him soon. He said he promised to call me at bedtime tonight. Jeff didn’t like that.”
“You’re getting the important things,” he said. “Your son wants to be with you and talk to you when he’s not. It means more than material possessions.”
“You’re right,” she said. “I know you are. Thank you for understanding. And I’m sorry I’m being dramatic. We don’t have to talk about it anymore.”
“If you want to talk about it, I’m here to listen.”
“I don’t,” she said. She moved over and got a tissue from the box on his counter and blew her nose. “I want to talk about us.”
“Oh,” he said. She could tell he was confused.
“Are we keeping what we have a secret?”
“No,” he said. “I mean I’m not. I haven’t told anyone, but that is more that it hasn’t come up and, as I said, I’m letting you call the shots. Why?”
“I want to tell my parents. I see my mother is worried about me. I don’t want them to be. She’s wanted me to get out and date for years and said it again last night. I wanted to tell her I was. That I found this great guy, but it wasn’t the time. Then I got thinking I should clear it with you first.”
“You think I’m a great guy?” he asked, reaching for her.
She let him pull her into his arms.
He’d been so sweet and considerate for weeks.
Just kissing. Nothing more.
Yes, the kisses were getting steamy and her body was always warming up and breaking out in a sweat.
Roni knew at some point she was going to have to take the step and decided it’d be now.
