Page 131 of Duke
I put my hand over his and squeeze his fingers. “I want them to meet you. My parents. I hope you know I’m not ashamed of you or anything. They’ll…love you eventually.”
“Like, in a month? Or we talking years?”
My stomach flips at the idea of us being together that long. I had a boyfriend in college I dated for a year, which felt monumental at the time. Shocker, I ended up running when things got serious. Am I really capable ofstayingthis time?
Really, the question should be am I capable of letting someone in and trusting that they’ll stay? Because that’s what needs to happen if I want a relationship that lasts a lifetime. Which I do. You wouldn’t necessarily know it, but I’m a romantic at heart. I want to believe that happily ever after exists and that my story can have a different ending than my parents’. Just like I want to believe that I’m not as awful or difficult to love as my family made me feel.
I just wish I could trust myself.
“Pretty sure you’ll win my parents over quicker than that.” I let my head fall back on the seat. I’m tired. And yeah, kinda turned on too.
“I’ll start my campaign right now. Invite them to the ranch.”
My heart hiccups. “What? I’m not sure—”
“Let them see how well we take care of you there. They can also meet my family. Not to brag, but they’re pretty awesome. Well, maybe we let them meet Cash last since he’s so grumpy. But Ryder will show them a good time. Wyatt’ll take some money off your dad and older brother if they’re poker players. Even if they’re not. Especially if they’re not.”
That makes me smile. “I like that idea.”
“What about weekend after next? Weather’s supposed to be good, and as far as I know, everyone will be at the ranch.”
The hope in his voice has my pulse skipping a beat. I feel like most guys wouldn’t be champing at the bit to meet their girlfriend’s parents. Least of all if that girlfriend got unintentionally pregnant.
But here’s Duke, ready to tackle the issue head-on.
This man—the guy with character and intelligence and grit—reallylikes me. His level of devotion is bewildering in the best way.
Doesn’t make sense for a person of Duke’s caliber to want to be with a bitchy, difficult person, right?
What if I’m not that person?
Or what if I can be bitchy and difficult, but I’m also kind and caring and fun to be around? It seems unfair and unrealistic to expect someone to be on their best behavior all the time.
What if I’m a good person who’s just trying her best? Fucking up but learning from it and trying better the next go-around?
I didn’t realize I’ve been holding myself to a ridiculous standard of perfection until now. Like I was supposed to look perfect and act perfectly and do things perfectly right out of the gate. That’s a ridiculous goal for anyone.
What if I’m right about who I am, and Preston isn’t?
Only one way to find out.
“Let’s do it.” I reach for my phone. “I’ll start with Mom. Do you think I should give them any kind of heads-up? Maybe tell them you and I are dating and I want them to meet you?”
Duke nods, shifting gears. “I think that’s a good call. Might make them a little more amenable to that news.” He nods at my midsection. “Your daddy doesn’t own any guns, does he?”
I laugh, even as an icy spike of fear lodges itself in my chest. “He doesn’t.”
Duke cuts me a look, his eyes flashing. “Good. Even if he did, I hope you know you’re safe with me, Blue.”
My heart swells and so does my throat. I look out the window so I don’t burst into tears all over again.
Because truth is I do feel safe with Duke. Not just in the physical sense. In the emotional sense too. And that feeling of security is something I’ve been missing in my life.
I’m grateful I found it with him.
____
The fire crackles.
