Kellan
Chapter Twenty
Turning down Layla’s sexual advances last night had taken every ounce of my reserve.
But once I’d realized her motivation was to give me something she thought I required of her, I couldn’t allow her to follow through.
No way. Baby steps weren’t only necessary for the dating aspect of our relationship; they were required for the physical aspect, too.
She was healing from major surgery, not to mention recovering after her first round of chemo.
I doubted very much a woman like her had ever been rejected, but at the same time, I couldn’t have her think I needed the physical in order to stay with her.
Although it killed me to deny her, I knew in my heart it was for the best to wait.
Just as I knew I needed to be more patient with her in general.
She experienced plenty of stress from her cancer treatments.
She didn’t need to worry about my feelings or getting pressured into a relationship.
I still regretted that my little outburst had almost led to ruining our time together last Saturday.
Patience wasn’t my greatest attribute, but I knew I needed to exercise more of it if I wanted her in my life.
Throwing myself back into my job this week helped with the patience factor.
I’d been neglecting some things in favor of spending more time with her.
Taking care of them now helped me avoid overstepping.
I think she was testing me, albeit unconsciously.
She was telling me I could date other people and seemed to be okay with me not making her the priority because she didn’t trust I would stick.
She’d had an exclusive relationship with her ex, and he’d strayed.
Why would she believe this new start had a chance?
But what she didn’t understand, and I wasn’t about to tell her yet, was just how committed I was.
She was scared. I’d show her all the reasons she didn’t need to be. But that took time.
I went over to her apartment on Saturday evening.
It had been three days since I’d seen her and another week before we’d go down to Portland for the wedding.
Part of me wondered if it was a good idea for her to come.
Although I wanted her there, I didn’t want her worried about meeting my family.
I certainly didn’t need her to freak out, thinking such a step was too serious.
As if she’d read my mind, the minute we sat down to watch a movie, she asked, “I’m assuming I’m meeting your family next weekend?”
“Yeah. Pretty much everyone.”
Her fingers traced a circle on my chest while we sat on the couch. “Do they know about me?”
“They know I met you a few weeks ago. That you’re Russell’s sister and live in Seattle.
My mom is aware of your cancer, but that’s only because she was a nurse, and I sometimes ask her advice about what will agree with your stomach.
My guess is she’s told my dad. I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. ”
I expected her to tell me she didn’t want to come.
That would probably be for the best since this wedding would be the first occasion since the cheating deal in which I’d see my cousin Brandon.
I wouldn’t dare make a thing of it during a family wedding, but I knew I’d be tense.
Hopefully, he’d keep his distance because I didn’t want to talk to him, even all these years later.
“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. In a way, I’m glad the elephant is out of the room. But the thought of meeting the parents— That’s something I haven’t done in many years. We’re talking prom night here.”
“For me too.”
“They didn’t meet what’s-her-face from college?”
“Nope. You remember what college was like. Over holidays, you each go home, and there really isn’t the opportunity to meet each other’s families. In hindsight, it wasn’t a bad decision to avoid introducing her.”
“No, I don’t suppose it was. Where will we stay?”
“In a hotel, if that’s okay. My parents offered the house but, uh—”
“You’d prefer to make me come without your parents listening? Don’t think I’ve forgotten the promise of many orgasms during my feel-good window.”
Laughter rumbled in my chest as my hand took hers. This was the feisty Layla. I never knew what she’d say next. “A promise I look forward to delivering on.”