Chapter 19 #4
“I don’t think so. Do I need to worry? I know sometimes that can be weird with daughters and their dads.”
“Absolutely not. She’ll absolutely love you. Even though she is probably the toughest critic of the family.”
“That’s not James?”
“You’d think that.” I can hear Tank’s smile through the phone.
“James definitely comes across that way, but he’s a marshmallow underneath.
Harper is a little slower at processing new things.
She can come across a bit more aloof sometimes, but if so, don’t take that a sign that she doesn’t approve.
She’s just a deep thinker and doesn’t move at warp speed like some of the boys. ”
I try to picture being the sole Graham female growing up in a house with Tank, James, Collin, and Patrick.
You’d have to develop some thick skin. Maybe some physical toughness too.
I wonder if the Graham brothers played as rough with her as they did with each other or if they protected her like some kind of princess. I could see it going either way.
What I do know is that Harper is probably very special as the youngest and the only female in the family. And since I seem to have the approval of everyone else, I can only hope to earn hers too.
“I can’t wait to meet her, though now you’ve got me a little worried,” I say. “I guess it’s only fair.”
“I think neither of us need to worry if we’re on the same page about this,” Tank says. “About us.”
“I think we are. We’re both just in this for the kissing, right?” I tease.
His laughter through the phone makes me grin. “Yes. Definitely for the kissing. Although there are a few other things I like about you too. I’ll have to tell you about them in the morning.”
“One more thing to look forward to.” I pause, tossing the pillow I’ve been holding back to its place and running my palm over the sheets on Tank’s bed.
Which are, as Jacks said, incredibly soft.
“In the interest of being on the same page, as I’m telling my kids about our dinosaur dating—we are exclusively dating, right?
As in, I can tell my kids that you’re my boyfriend? ”
Though I still think it sounds ridiculous to use that term somehow, there isn’t a better one. My heart speeds up while I wait for Tank’s response. Not that I think he’s going to say no, but still. I feel slightly brazen asking so openly and honestly.
This is one more way dating is different now versus when I was in my twenties.
I might still feel nervous about broaching this subject, but I do it anyway.
Back then, I probably would have waited a month for David to bring it up.
In fact, I think we went on a number of dates and I spent weeks unsure of where we stood before.
He finally introduced me to someone as his girlfriend—that’s how I knew we were officially together.
It’s refreshing to be starting a new relationship with all the confidence and the wisdom I’ve gained.
“Say it again.” Tank’s voice sounds a little breathless over the phone.
“Say what again?”
“Call me your boyfriend. I really like the way that sounds.”
This man is adorable. So many men would be too tough to say something like this, to sound a little bit desperate, even. I like that Tank’s not afraid to be vulnerable. “Does that mean you are my boyfriend?”
“I sure hope so. That’s what I’d really like to be—if you’ll have me.”
“Absolutely. No question.”
“Good,” Tank says. “Once again, I miss you. I can’t wait to see you in the morning. I might even come up and have another slice of my hummingbird cake.”
I laugh. “Theo Graham, are you dating me just for my cake?”
He laughs. “Not just for your cake, Rose Roberts. There’s also the kissing. And a whole lot of other things. But if I start listing the reasons, neither of us will get any sleep tonight.”
Despite knowing how early we’re getting up in the morning, we do talk for a little while longer about nothing and everything.
Finally, when neither of us can stop yawning, we say an extended goodbye that leaves me blushing and giddy.
I had completely forgotten what it feels like to fall so completely for someone.
To be absolutely goofy about someone else.
I love it, and it also leaves me feeling slightly anxious from all the bubbly, happy feelings flooding through me.
Before I can overthink it, I open the family group chat with John, Chelsea, and Mason. It’s late, but I think most of them keep their phones on silent, so hopefully I won’t wake anyone up.
A lot has happened in the last week, I tap out, and I’d love to catch you up more fully in person. Are you free Saturday night? There’s an event in Sheet Cake I think you’d all enjoy.
I send it, and then, because I have a feeling John will say he’s too busy with work and because I promised Tank I would, I send one more text.
It will be a great chance for you to meet my new BOYFRIEND. You might have heard of him—his name is Tank Graham.
Then, knowing how much it’s going to drive them feral, I put my phone on silent, turn off the light, and drop my head onto one of my new boyfriend’s pillows.