She picked up her first engagement ring and placed it on the table. She moved objects with one fingertip and chose a small carving from the set she’d given to Daniel all those years ago, a folded Happy Mother’s Day card, and a section of painted clay that might have been a flower. Or a bug.
“I’ve been a girlfriend, a wife, and a mother, but in my adult life, I’ve never claimed a place or a time as mine,” she stated, picking up the figure she’d carved from soapstone. “When Daniel showed me he still had the pieces I gave him, I was really startled. He said he kept them to remind them of a time in his life when he made certain choices. He also said he was looking for me to see if he could have all those options available to him again.” She looked up. “My son and his wife are about to become parents, and it would be so easy for me to offer to move closer and help them. If you move next door, Liam, and if we’re going to have this…this relationship that may or may not include getting married, then I need you to…”.
She fumbled for words.
“You need me to support you when you ask for time and space to pursue whatever it is you want to pursue,” he finished for her.
“Exactly,” she said, setting the carving back with the other objects.
“Would that include pursuing a relationship with me?”
“Oh my, yes,” she answered, nodding vigorously. “Gaia has a new book coming out, and I need a study partner. My first inclination is to say, move in with me; we’ll figure things out. But if you’re okay with being neighbors and dating, then you have a deal.”
Liam picked up a tarnished silver chain from the lower tier of the jewelry box and slid a polishing cloth out of its plastic sleeve. He worked the cloth up and down the chain, cleaning and polishing the metal until it shone in the firelight.
“Give me your hand.” He removed the ring he’d carved for her, strung it on the chain, and looped the silver links around her neck. “Anna, take all the time you need. Set whatever boundaries you need to set, and I’ll honor you by doing the same. I’ll share a bed with you when you want and sleep alone when you don’t.”
Anna looked at the chain and the ring hanging between her breasts. She fingered the circle, pressing it into her chest, and leaned forward to kiss her almost-fiancée. “We might have to negotiate daily.”
“I can do that.”
“Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“My toothbrush is in my jacket. So is a bottle of your favorite lube.”
“Why don’t you lock up and meet me in my bedroom.”
He caught her mouth with his, slipping one hand through her hair, cupping the back of her head and holding it in place.
“I love you, Anna Granger.”
“I love you, Liam Gailbraith. And hurry up. I’m way behind on my orgasm quota for this month.”
Epilogue
“Anna.”
Witnessing a man turn forty-three wasn’t so bad. Especially when his chestnut-colored hair was still thick and lustrous and the shape of his ass continued to defy logic by getting better with age.
“Anna.”
And being the aforementioned hunk’s slightly older girlfriend didn’t seem to be working out so bad, either. For one thing, she took her job seriously by keeping that gorgeous ass out of trouble while enjoying the many benefits of co-ownership.
“Anna.”
Anna came out of her reverie. Liam stood in front of her, one arm extended, a slender flute of champagne held between three fingers. The bubbles slinking up the inside surface of the glass glinted a rainbow of colors in the August afternoon.
She took the glass in one hand and reached for his with the other, coming to stand next to the birthday man on the deck of the cottage he was renovating.
“Sorry. I was admiring the scenery.” She shot him the most lascivious grin she could manage and kissed his chin.
He took her wrist and guided her hand to the backside of his linen shorts. “You’re allowed to do more than just admire the scenery, you know.”
“I know,” she whispered. “We can do a little bushwhacking later.”
Laughter and conversation filled the air around them, growing louder as she peeled her gaze away from his eyes—and her hand off his butt—and turned to greet the newest arrivals to the birthday party.
“Suki! You brought the baby!” Anna set her glass next to her dinner plate and held out both arms for her sleeping granddaughter. Liliana’s round cheeks were chapped and slightly red from cutting her first tooth.
“Hi, Mom,” Suki said, kissing her cheek. “Sorry we’re late. Lili’s had a rough day, teething and all, and I’m wiped out.”
“Thanks for coming. And I’m happy to relieve you of this sweet angel anytime. I think I remember how to handle a cranky baby.”
Her daughter-in-law’s shoulder’s relaxed. She leaned in, one hand on Anna’s back, the other pulling the damp corner of the baby’s cotton T-shirt away from a roll of baby fat. “I’m still getting used to the whole motherhood thing, and how to ask for help.”
“I know. We want to think we can do it all ourselves, but these kids don’t come with instruction manuals. Gary Jr. didn’t, and there were so many times I was terrified I’d done permanent damage.”
Suki nodded, wide-eyed. “Keep reminding me of that,” she said. “You and my mom make it look so easy.”
“Our mothers did too, sweetheart. Do you mind if I circulate while I hold her?”
“Not at all. I’m going to help myself to some of that bubbly stuff and have a few adult-only minutes with my husband. If I can find him,” she added, searching the crowd. “He’s got
