Page 60 of Tinsel in Telluride

“I’m not saying I’m okay with what you did, but I appreciate you respecting my wishes.”

“I—well shit—” I stammer. “That isn’t what I was expecting you to say.”

Her eyes sparkle in the dimly lit hallway and it takes everything in me not to close the distance between us so I can really see their beauty. Or maybe I just want to be close to her. I definitely shouldn’t. And not only because I’m in this fucking elf costume that is doing next to nothing to hide the blood diverting its way to my dick.

Her tongue darts out and wets her pillowy lips, and I desperately want to know if they are as soft as they look.

Again, not helpful. Not when there is still so much left unsaid between us.

“Leigh, I?—”

“We should get back,” she cuts me off.

I tilt my head in agreement, but as soon as she turns, I know I can’t let the moment pass without saying something.

My hand darts out and wraps around her wrist. “Let me just ask you one thing.”

She glances down at my hand and then up at me, giving a barely perceptible nod of her head.

“Go to dinner with me,” I blurt out like the words might physically burn me if I don’t say them.

“That’s not a question.”

“Share a meal with me,” I clarify, again not asking. Afraid that if I give her more of a choice, she’ll outright say no.

She shrugs my hand away, and her eyes find the ground between us. “I heard you. I’m just not sure that’s the best idea.”

“Take a chance. Get to know me. Let me get to know you. Neither of us is who we were ten years ago. And I think we both can admit that there’s something between us, even if it’s just the need to be the best co-parents we can possibly be to Zach.”

She sucks her lower lip between her teeth. Something she does when she’s taking the time to consider her opinion.

“Dinner only.”

My heart dances in my chest. This is it. This is how we move forward. Just the two of us. We have to be us before we can be parents.

“Dinner only.” I hold up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Leigh huffs a laugh. “Like you were ever a Boy Scout.”

“Guess you’ll have to find out when we go to dinner tomorrow night,” I counter with a playful wink.

She shakes her head, a yawn wracking her small form. “Is it okay if I just stay in the room with Zach tonight? I’d feel safer being in the house with him.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say she could sleep in my room, but I’ve already pushed as far as I dare for one night.

“Of course.”

She turns to the door, her hand on the knob, when I stop her again.“Oh, and Leigh?”

“Hmm?”

And because I can’t stop myself, I take a step forward, my chest touching her shoulder and pressing her into the door. I lower my head and brush the shell of her ear with my lips, ensuring she hears the vow I intend to make.

“I’m promising dinner, because more than anything, I want to know you. I want to grovel and get on my knees for you. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you see I want this family. So. Fucking. Much.” A shiver shakes her body, and she leans into me for support. Which I’m all too happy to provide. “I’m not going anywhere. And I need the record to show that even if Zach isn’t mine, I still want you both. We can set whatever pace you want, but I don’t want to only hate fuck you in vending machine closets. I want to fuck you for real. In my bed. Where we don’t have to worry how loud you scream my name.”

Her jaw drops, and she’s rendered speechless.

I fucking love it.

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