Chapter 43 #2
It’s not clear if she heard everything, but with a quick perusal of the three of us, she raises her brows and points to the door. “I’ll let you guys talk.”
Once she disappears, Nate crouches down, the slosh of his jeans filling the silence between us. “Kiddo, what are you doing here? I thought you were staying in Savannah tonight with your mom?”
“We had ice cream with Nan-Nan and G-Dad. I have to get my special blanket before we go to Mommy’s. Do you know the house is yellow? And there’s a room just for me.”
“Very exciting.” Nate’s laugh is soft and troubled, not that Teagan seems to notice. She doesn’t seem bothered at all by the fact that her father and I were on a date, which is a good sign.
We agreed to tell her together, but there hasn’t been a chance, not with Teagan zipping from school to Sabrina’s to ice cream, evidently.
“Um…” Nate stands upright again and glances at me, bringing his hand up to rub his jaw.
My eyes widen.
“Teagan, kiddo…” He peers down at her again, his hand still running along his jaw. “How did you know we were on a date?”
“I’m eight. I see things.” She shrugs.
I stifle my laugh behind my hand—I’ve been laughing a lot tonight. It’s a welcomed change of pace. I didn’t realize how often I forced my smiles until recently.
“And what have you seen exactly?” Nate asks, steeling himself. He utters each word of the question with such care and caution, like he’s scared of the answer.
“That you and Miss Maren are like Travis and Taylor.”
This makes me laugh harder, especially when Nate directs his confused stare onto me.
“Taylor Swift. Travis, the football player, gave her a ring.” Teagan puts her hands on her hips. “That’s what Miss Addie told me.”
“Of course,” he draws out. “Glad she’s teaching you more than dancing.”
“She’s so smart. Mister Owen is goofy.” Her giggle is high-pitched and cute.
“That’s one way to describe him.” Nate snorts.
“Are you giving Miss Maren a ring, Daddy?”
“Um, well…” Nate clears his throat, and the way he’s squirming right now warms my chest.
“Are you boyfriend and girlfriend, at least?” Her eyebrows shoot into her hairline. “You have to give me something. What else am I going to gossip about with Mira?”
Nate’s kind eyes find mine, and I nod. “Boyfriend and girlfriend, it is.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek as it settles over me—I’m Nate McAllister’s girlfriend again.
Except this time, it’s going to last. I feel it in my bones.
I feel things for him now that I never did back then. Things so much bigger than myself.
Which is just more evidence to the fact that everything has happened exactly as it was supposed to.
“So, you’re okay with this, kiddo?” Nate sways a finger between us.
“Duh!” She holds her hands out. “I’ve been wishing for this for ages. I wrote about it in my diary, and I told Mira too. She wants you two together as much as I do. I have to go tell her.” Teagan marches through the front door, leaving us alone in our dripping clothes and matching grins.
“Hear that?” Nate asks me. “We have a fan club.”
“Aren’t we so special?” I play along.
Sabrina and Teagan emerge onto the porch once again, a shimmery blanket and a couple of large tumblers in tow. I’ve seen Teagan hauling those cups around a lot. She’s proud of each one like they’re trophies—it’s adorable.
After we exchange our goodbyes, Nate sighs, staring after Sabrina’s car as it backs out onto the road.
“I had a whole speech prepared for how we’d bring up the idea of us dating.
I even planned to get her favorite pizza from Gordon’s and make a night of it.
” He rubs the back of his neck, slinging water droplets onto the porch in the process. “She caught me off guard tonight.”
“She’s very intuitive—it’s scary.”
“Right? She’s eight going on eighteen.” He works his jaw back and forth.
I stroke his forearm. “I think it went well.”
“Yeah?”
“She didn’t throw her sneakers at the window like Dixie did when Mom told us about some new guy she was seeing. That counts for something.”
“I guess you’re right. I think.”
“She’s happy.” I loop my arm through his and pat his hand.
“I figured she would be, and I’m glad it’s out in the open now.” He turns my palm upward and kisses the center of it. His lips are tender and warm, a welcomed change from the shiver suddenly racking my body.
I wiggle in place. “I just remembered I’m freezing.”
“Let’s get you inside.”
I lean into him until my mouth skims across his. “I do believe you promised me a shower, McAllister.”
His groan is low but powerful.
Inside, we leave a trail of wet clothes behind as we rush to his room. The mirror fogs up quickly once the shower’s turned on. Plus, our kisses are too hot and heavy—the mirror never stood a chance.
We’re skin on skin.
Hands everywhere.
Kisses frantic.
Nate opens the door to step into the shower, his hand tugging me along with him, but I stop.
His eyes lock onto mine. Darkness swirls in his irises with hunger and excitement.
My heart hammers as I open my mouth. “I love you too, you know.”
He’s the only man I’ve ever uttered those words to. I say them again for the first time after ten years, and instantly, my chest lightens, as if a crane just removed a layer of cement off of it.
His effortless grin has magic powers. It sweeps me off my feet and makes me feel like I’m floating. “I do now.”
I sway into his waiting arms, push my hands into his damp hair, and kiss the man I love.