Page 35 of Feels Like Home

“Won’t do what,though?”

“You really don’tknow?”

“Well, I know what I want,” Iadmit.

“Hope it’s the same thing I want… to keep moving forward with this, building what we have. Our friendship. Our relationship. And as much as it kills me, I have to push aside every instinct I have to pull you into my lap and kiss the stuffing out of you right now. Like I said, I won’t put you in the position of being the otherwoman.”

“I want you to kiss me, too,” Iwhisper.

“Really damn happy to hearthat.”

“But do you really think keeping the physical part out of our relationship until you’re divorced will stop people from talking? It’s obvious we’re getting closer, Andy. And not just tous.”

“I don’t care what people say. It’s not about that. It’s about the fact that you and I both had our spouses step out on us, and it feels shitty as hell. I don’t care about Heather and her feelings, so don’t even think that. This is about me respecting you, knowing that when we share that part of us with each other, we have nothing holding us back. Tonight meant a lot to me. Seeing our three together, getting along, happy, blending. It just proves that this is a good thing, and I don’t want anything screwing thatup.”

“Thank you for being so wonderful. For respecting me that way, as much as I almost don’t want you to. I suppose Iagree.”

He chuckles and pulls me close, kissing the top of myhead.

Sigh.

“Is it weird if I tell you I wastested?”

I stiffen in his arms and turn to look athim.

“Youdid?”

“Yeah. She said I didn’t need to be but, not really feeling a whole lot of trust in thatwoman. “

I laugh lightly. “Can’t blame youthere.”

I let the silence drift betweenus.

“I was tested too,” I admit quietly then rush to continue, “I don’t think it was necessary but I couldn’t sleep at night notknowing.”

“I get that. Probably for the best. You were allgood?”

I grin. “Yeah. All good.You?”

He nods, eyes darkening as he looks at me with an intensity that causes me to take a deepbreath.

“I’m good,” he tells me, voicehusky.

Warmth spreads through my body, and I war within myself. The snarky, bitchy side wants me to just have those damn papers signed already so we can be together. So he can finally be rid of the disease that is Heather. The kind side of me fears what this will do to the boys. “It’s been a good night,Andy.”

“It’s been agreatnight,” he correctsme.

“Thank you for having usover.”

“Thank you for comingover.”

He looks at me for several beats before tucking a lock of hair behind myear.

“TWD?” he asks, rather than leaning in and kissing me like I want himto.

But I respect his desire towait.

And I agree withit.

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