Page 59 of Clear Blue Sky

He gripped the doorknob and blinked. Had he just declared his love out loud? Slowly, he turned.

She sat on the bed, holding the sheet in one hand and covering her mouth with the other.

He wiggled his finger. “That is not how I wanted to say that for the first time.”

“If you were trying to knock my socks off, it worked.”

“I’m sorry that came out so flippant.” His parents would have to wait another minute. He’d take hell for it, but he was used to that. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took Brandi’s hand. “Too soon?”

“Last night I freaked out about how we went from having fun to being a couple overnight, but not because I don’t want it. I worry it’s not what you want long term, and we’ve talked about that.”

“I’ve been running from my past for so long that I never thought about what would happen if a future landed in my lap. All the women I’ve dated eventually found me to be cold and distant.”

“You’re not the easiest man to get to know.”

He laughed. “My mother has always said I’m like an onion who doesn’t want to have my layers peeled.”

“That’s a good way of putting it.” She palmed his cheek. “You should go let them in.”

“Don’t you have something you want to say to me first?”

She brushed her lips over his mouth. “I can’t think of anything.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re seriously going to leave me hanging?”

Her smile was as wide as the great state of Texas. She took his hand and placed it over the center of her chest. “My heart is pounding.”

“Why? Are you afraid?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ve been in love before, but never anything like this.”

Ding-dong.

“I better go let my parents in. Take your time coming down.”

“I won’t be too long.”

Trying not to trip on anything, he raced through the house and yanked open the front door. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you standing outside.” He hugged his mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

His dad took him in for a fatherly embrace.

His mom looked him up and down. “With how long you took, the least you could have done was put on a shirt.”

Shit. “Let’s go in the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee.”

“We brought breakfast.” His father held up a bag.

Immediately, his nostrils filled with the rich scents of fried eggs, bacon, and melting cheese over an everything bagel.

His favorite.

“Where’s Brandi? Isn’t she here?” his mother asked. “We brought extra for her, although I wasn’t sure what she liked.” She set a briefcase on the counter.

“She’s getting dressed. She’ll be out in a bit.” Nelson filled the pot with water and went about making an extra strong pot. Both his parents loved their coffee black and strong as hell.

“Maybe she can bring you a shirt.” His mom tilted her head.

“I’ve got one in the laundry room.” Lucky for him, he’d done a load yesterday and they were folded on top of the dryer in the next room. He quickly snagged one, pulling it over his head.

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