“I’m not scared,” I said with a scoff. “I just don’t see why we need to rush things.”
“We’ve been together six months, babe. The baby’s due in five weeks. I want to be there for you both when he gets here, and it seems like that would be easier if we lived together.”
“Can’t you just keep staying nights here? What we have is working great.”
He sat back on the couch and folded his arms. “Yeah, except I don’t have most of my stuff here.”
“Stuff? Like what stuff?”
“Clothes. Shower stuff that doesn’t smell flowery. My bobblehead collection.”
I narrowed my eyes skeptically. “You don’t have a bobblehead collection.”
“But if I did, you wouldn’t want it over here. That’s too commitment-like for you.”
“What? That’s ridiculous.”
“So we should do it, then? You’re not afraid of the huge commitment having my pants and shampoo here would represent?”
I sighed with frustration. “Here’s the thing—when you’re here, I prefer you without pants.”
He took my hand and held it in his own. “I prefer that too, babe. Look, it’s time. You don’t want to marry me—”
“Not after six months, no.”
“What about an engagement?”
After a pause, I said, “Maybe.”
He pulled me a little closer. “Really?”
“Why don’t we talk about it after the baby’s born?”
“And where are you on moving in together?”
I took a deep breath. “Can we talk about that after the baby’s born, too?”
He nodded curtly but I could see the disappointment in his eyes. I hated that I was responsible for it, but I didn’t believe the birth of the baby meant our relationship had to change.
“You know I’m crazy about you, right?” I said. “This isn’t about me being unsure about you.”
“I know. It’s about your mother making you believe commitment is an act of desperation.”
“That is so not true.”
He put a hand on my thigh and leaned his head back on the couch. “So I’ve finally got two off days coming up. Sunday and Monday. Can you take Monday off so we can go see my family?”
“Yes, definitely. I’ve been wanting to meet them for so long.”
“Good.”
“Are we done with the other conversation?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I think we’re at an impasse.”
“I know I’m slow to take big leaps,” I said, turning on the couch so I was facing him, “but that’s because I have to be 100 percent certain. And when I looked at you in that backward baseball cap and sweaty T-shirt a couple minutes ago, I realized I’m 100 percent certain that I love you, Bennett.”
He arched his brows in surprise. A smile tugged up the corners of his mouth. “That’s all I need to hear, babe. If you love me, I can wait as long as it takes.”