Page 81 of Guarding My Love

“The same as you.” It was as good as he could do for now.

27

WHEN HE WAS READY

The drive home wasn’t quiet, but it wasn’t full of active conversation either.

“Do you think Marco missed me?” Charlotte asked. “I hope he’s not mad.”

“I doubt he’s going to be mad,” he said. “He probably had as much fun as we did socializing.”

“More fun than us,” she said. “Though I hope he wasn’t doing what we did last night. He’s not fixed yet. Don’t need any little Marcos running around.”

He laughed. “I’m sure they kept him away from anyone that he shouldn’t have been around. Are you going to get him fixed?”

“I am,” she said. “It’s the responsible thing to do even though I see you squirming in the seat.”

“I know,” he said. “I’ve got to be a responsible parent.”

She was glad that Foster was so laid back and relaxed on the drive back. Even last night, she worried he might get a bit moody around his family, but he wasn’t.

It made her wonder why there were times he said he hated people so much when she hadn’t seen too many signs of it.

Sure, he’d come home cranky from work, but weren’t they all like that at times?

“You don’t have to sound so upset over it,” she said. “You can be the good guy to Marco.”

“I think I already am the good guy,” he said, smirking.

She thought it would be uncomfortable this morning when they woke up.

It felt as if Foster needed her to say she loved him. Her heart was there, so why not voice it when he was asking?

The fact he didn’t say it back did bother her.

How many times in her life had men not said the actual words to her?

But she told herself that she wasn’t going to get worked up.

It was still a new relationship. Foster was a much different man than anyone else she’d been with.

He was complex in a way she couldn’t even put her finger on and wasn’t going to try.

What he made her feel was worth telling herself to not get upset.

She was positive he’d tell her when he was ready.

“You are,” she said. “Not just to Marco either.”

When they got into town, he turned and said, “Do you mind if we run to the store quickly since we are passing it? I’ve got to pick up a few things. I’ll be fast. Then we can get Marco. Or I can bring you home and you can go get him if you need to.”

“I’m fine stopping at the store. I’ll get a few things for the week too.”

He pulled over and parked. “Did you want to stay at my house tonight?” he asked. “Or is two nights in a row too much?”

“Not too much,” she said, smiling. He didn’t seem like anything changed for him with her declaration of love.

Of course he admitted he already knew she felt that way.

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