A smile appears, and she sniffles. “Crazy. But what you said . . . that was beautiful, Harrison. If the unthinkable happens, we’d love their kids like our own.”
“We would.” I move inside and look out the window down at the dinner party below. “You don’t have to say yes. It’s just something for us to consider.”
She joins my side, resting her head against my arm and staring out the window as well. “My mom laughed at the thought of me taking care of kids.”
“Sounds like your mom doesn’t know the woman you’ve become.”
Her arm slips around my back, and I slip mine around her. “Why do you say such thoughtful things when I don’t deserve them?”
“Who says you don’t? We all have good and bad days. It’s hard to remember the good sometimes, but we shouldn’t hold a bad one against someone for life.”
“Be careful, Decker, or I might think you have a heart.”
“Ugh.” I hold my hands over my heart like I was just struck. I chuckle to myself, a low rumble remaining in my chest. “Don’t go telling the ladies, or you’ll give me a bad rep.”
“Don’t worry. Your bad rep”—she taps my chest—“and your heart are safely intact.” I can feel the lift of her cheek against my muscle.
The sun has set behind the back neighbors’ townhome, and the string lights draped over the yard are like stars we’re looking down on. There’s enough light from the hall for us to see our surroundings. Even the little luminescent stars outside feed light inside.
Tatum’s frame fits against mine, and I wish I could make her happy like she was when she arrived. I have no idea about the history between her and her mother, and I’m annoyed her father didn’t bother to stand up for her downstairs, but I don’t for one minute think she deserved the taunt. Natalie knows her extremely well, so if she believes she’s the one she wants long-term in her baby’s life, then everyone else should trust in that confidence as well.
This woman is good.
The fact that she’s leaning on me for comfort means she trusts in me. I like her. And given the tips of her fingers are tightening against my side, I’m thinking she feels the same more-than-acquaintances vibe filling the air as I do.
When I look down at her, she looks up at me, her usually expressive eyes filled with restrained emotions. “You make me feel everything from happy to mad, but you also make me feel safe. I hate that you seem to be the only one who can do that lately,” she whispers.
“It’s trust. You may not like it. It may feel uncomfortable, but deep down, you know you can trust me.” I turn to face her, wanting to look into the depths of her eyes to find the truth she can’t hide.
Something heavy settles between us—a tension that isn’t troubling—but makes my heart beat harder against my rib cage. Her chest rises and falls with deeper breaths. The smile I was craving a moment earlier doesn’t come, but a lick of her lips has my locking my gaze on the little teasing.
When she cups my face, a million thoughts run through my mind—are we going to go down this route again, or is it better to play it safe and stick to being friends? Although I’m pretty sure she’s about to kiss me, I can’t let that happen without telling her the truth. “I went back inside.”
The grip of her hands softens, and I could kick myself for letting the moment slip away. “I don’t understand.”
“Thursday night. You said you came back for me. I went back inside the club.”
“Oh,” she replies, seeming surprised. Her hands lower to her sides, and she takes a step back. When I lose sight of her eyes, and her arms cross over her chest, her walls start to return. “I guess shame on me for thinking that something was building between us.”
I step closer and tilt her chin up with two fingers. “It was.” Before she can ask the questions populating her mind, I continue, “I went to say goodbye to the guys and thank Kaz for the tickets. I went back in thinking I would have another drink and that would help get you off my mind.”
“Did it?” Her tone turns harsh, her eyes cold. She jerks her chin away, and asks, “Or did someone?”
“Alcohol can’t keep you off my mind, and no woman has captured it like you have, Tatum.”
“See?” she asks through tight lips with aggravation in her tone. “There you go again, Harrison. Why do you do that?” When her hands reach out to push me away, I grab hold and keep them pressed to my chest. “I don’t want to fall for you again. I did that once, and it didn’t end well for me.”