Page 65 of Saving You

“You okay?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She clears her throat and continues to cut the tomato in her hand. “So, your mom invited you to dinner this weekend.”

“No,” I correct. “She invited us. You, me, and Charlie.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

I’m not sure how I’m being confusing.

“My mother invited the three ofus to dinner at her place on Saturday,” I say the sentence slowly.

“I’m understanding what you’re saying. I’m just confused as to how this happened,” she says with an adorable little huff.

“I texted my family group chat and said I’d be bringing two people to Christmas dinner. My brother, being my brother, decided to try to give me shit about it. I cleared it up by saying I’d be bringing my girlfriend and her daughter. Mom wants to meet you, so she invited us to dinner on Saturday. I said I’d ask you.”

“Girlfriend.” The word is full of awe. It’s light and breathy, and I smile at the sound.

“Yeah, girlfriend.”

“Really?” There’s confusion on her face now.

I take a deep breath. “I’m going to try my best not to be an ass here, Bails, but yeah, girlfriend. What the fuck?”

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, setting her knife on the cutting board. I watch her, worried I’ve fucked this all up.

She lifts her head and makes eye contact with me, a light sheen over her eyes. “It’s just a lot. After the divorce, I never thought I’d get serious with anyone. One, I never thought someone would want to be with me. I have a crazy ex-husband and a daughter who demands a lot of my time and energy. And two, I never thought I’d be able to trust another man after everything I went through. It’s still just a lot to wrap my head around.”

I hold her eyes for a few seconds before turning the burner to the lowest setting and rounding the kitchen island. I place my hands on each side of her face. “I want you. I want Charlie. I want all your baggage. You’re not just a quick fuck. I’m in this. I would like you to come meet my family on Saturday if you’re up to it.”

Tears slowly fall down her cheeks, and I wipe them away with my thumb. I rest my forehead against hers. “Please don’tcry, baby. I hate seeing you cry.”

A rush of air passes over my cheek as she takes a deep breath and releases it.

“You just make me happy. These are happy tears.”

I kiss each cheek before pulling back. “You okay?”

She nods, and I return to the stove and finish dinner. When everything is done, the three of us sit at the table to eat.

“Mommy, can I go to Aunty Liv’s on Saturday?”

“I’m sorry, Baby Girl, but we’re going to Caleb’s mom’s on Saturday.”

I smile, happy she’s taking this step with me.

“Really?” Charlie asks.

“Yeah, she’s super excited to meet you,” I say. “But I do have a hockey game in the afternoon. I’m sure you can see Aunty Liv there.”

Bailey reaches out and places her hand on my forearm. “I actually have a doctor’s appointment Saturday afternoon, so I won’t be able to make your game.”

“Okay, well, I can take Charlie with me for the afternoon and see if Liv will hang with her while I’m changing. If you finish early enough, you can meet us there. If not, we’ll meet back here and head to Mom’s.”

Bailey stares at me. She opens her mouth, closes it, and then does it again. “You’ll take Charlie?”

“Of course.” I look at Charlie. “You okay hanging out with me while your mom goes to the doctor, Little Bear?”

She nods as she continues to eat her pasta.

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