“I know if the shoe was on the other foot and it was me dating a guy—”
“You aren’t dating any guy.”
She pushed against my shoulder and laughed. “Will you stop? I’m just saying think about it. Think about the way she must feel whenever you’re together, wondering if you’re thinking of Harley instead of her.”
“She doesn’t think that,” I said, but I couldn’t be sure. Grace had my mind racing with memories of each time AJ and I were alone, or even out with friends.
“She is a sweet girl, Rhett,” Grace adds. “I really like her, just be mindful of the worries I’m sure she has.”
“Okay, and I really like her too.” And I did.
“Good.” Grace settled back onto the couch once again, feeling satisfied with our conversation, yet there I sat feeling as if I had a lump in my chest. One that made it hard to breathe.
***
I lead AJ up the same flight of stairs toward the area above the barn. The only difference was there was a door. It’d been almost nine weeks since AJ and I started seeing one another, and each day I found just one more thing I loved about her. She had to be the most caring, considerate person I’d ever met. That’s saying a lot, considering the family I belonged to.
AJ had not only made her way into my heart but also into the hearts of my family. It was amazing how whenever something took place I’d never get the opportunity to invite her because someone within my crazy ass family already had. They all had gone right past me and moved on to calling her themselves. And I loved it.
“Smells like fresh stain.” I looked over to find her inhale deeply as her eyes closed, taking it all in. “Is it weird that I love that smell?” she asked just as she reopened her eyes and locked them on mine. “It reminds me of my grandad and all the years he’d spend in his shed building shelves and benches. Before he passed, I used to go out there with him and watch him for hours.”
“That’s not crazy at all,” I assured her. “I need to take you to Uncle Colt’s shop, though, you’d love that place.”
I moved aside and allowed her to step past me so she could get a better look at the place and everything that had been done.
I couldn’t help but smile as I observed the amazement in her eyes. She blinked a few times, almost like she was seeing something she couldn’t quite believe. Stepping up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her middle and linked my fingers together, bringing them to rest on her stomach. Instantly, her body rested against mine, and that sense of peace washed over me as it had been lately every single time I held her or kissed her.
“It’s hard to believe that we’re in the same place we were only a few weeks ago,” AJ whispered, her head moving from side to side as she took it all in.
“I know.”
The bedroom, the kitchen, everything had been all framed out. All the walls were painted, and the trim that would soon be put up lay along the saw horses, their stain still tacky. “I took your advice and made everything open but the bedroom and bathroom.”
“You should make how you want it.” She lay her head back against my chest, turning enough to look up at me. “You’re the one that has to wake up here every morning.”
“Who knows? You may wake up here too, from time to time.”
“Are you inviting me for future sleepovers?” Her brow arched as she pursed her lips.
I leaned in without a second thought and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Sleepovers,” I whispered, moving lower to brush my lips over hers, “or more.”
I didn’t give her a moment to register anything. I didn’t want to see the questioning in her eyes; it was always there. “Do you know how many nights I’ve thought about what it would be like sleeping with you tucked in at my side? How many mornings I’ve woken up wishing you were there next to me?” AJ started to worry her lower lip, and my conversation with Grace flashed in my mind. “Us curled beneath the covers, warm and happy.” I kissed the corner of her mouth.
“I know you still question this.” She didn’t have to answer; I already knew it was true.
She tucked her chin, trying to look away, but I cupped her face with my palm and forced her to look at me once more. “I can see it every single time I say something to you about our future. Every time I say something sweet, I know in your mind you’re wondering if I really mean it. This is me telling you that I do, AJ. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. I’m not that guy, the one that plays games. Every word I’ve said to you, they’re all true.”
She closed her eyes and nodded.
“So, wood floor or carpet?” I laughed when she opened her eyes and crinkled her nose in the cutest damn way. “Things were getting too heavy,” I said with a shrug, and she laughed.
Pulling away, I watched as she moved toward the center of the room and turned in a circle looking over the space. “Wood flooring in all the rooms but the bedroom, a big area rug where you decide to put your couch.”
“Where would you put the couch?” I already knew where. She’d said it a few times before, and I’d listened. When she looked back over her shoulder toward the window, I chuckled. “In front of the windows.” Her smile widened as she tucked her hands into her back pockets and
