Page 34 of Crossing the Lines for Love

Sometimes, it felt like we were in a long-distance relationship because we spent so much time texting and on FaceTime, but all of that would be over very soon. We’d showered, eaten dinner, and were relaxing on the couch while I rubbed her feet. The plan was to watch a movie, but my face would end up between her legs very shortly.

“I’m positive.”

“How is that gonna work? Based on what you’ve shared about him and what I’ve heard in the background when we’re on the phone, he’s a bright little boy. We can’t ask a five-year-old to keep our secret.”

“If I tell my parents, he won’t have anyone to keep our secret from.”

“Tell your parents? Oh, you’ve clearly lost your mind. Did you get hit in your head with a stick at practice today?”

“My parents are cool, and I trust they’d keep our secret. Honestly, I think it’s time we tell both our parents.”

“I thought we agreed?—”

“I know, but…come sit on my lap. I need you close.”

She left her phone on the arm of the couch and crawled onto my lap.

“Is something wrong?”

I shook my head. “The only thing wrong is I can’t tell the world I’m in love with you.”

“Huh? You—what’d you say?”

“Baby, I’m in love with you. I can’t tell the world yet, but the least you can do is let me share it with the people who mean the most to us.”

“Niko, I…wow! I don’t know what to say.”

“Tell me we can tell our parents, and I don’t need to hear anything else?”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I would’ve told them the moment I began to fall, but?—”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. Are you sure you’re in love with me?”

“Shit. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

She was quiet for a few minutes, and I let her sit with her thoughts without disruption.

“How do you know you’re in love with me?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I just want to know how you know.”

“It’s a feeling deep in my soul. I don’t just miss you when we can’t be together like this for weeks. My heart longs for you. Iyearn to be in your presence, to caress your skin, and to inhale your scent. The thought of us not working out makes me sick, and I’m willing to do anything to secure your heart.”

“I—”

“I’m not done. The moment I knew you had my whole fucking heart was when I started praying for you and talking to God about you. My parents raised me to be spiritual, not religious. I’ve never gone to God about any woman I was dating. That’s how I knew you were the one.”

She nodded as if she were processing. “I’ve never claimed to be in love, but I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I’m in love with you.”

I smiled as I cupped her chin and kissed her lips. “You want to hear something funny?”

“Sure.”

“A few weeks ago, you were talking in your sleep and told me you loved me.”

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