Page 44 of Visions of You

“You want to watch the sun rise on the patio?” she asked.

I jerked my head in agreement.

We sat side by side on the couch. Hemingway was curled up on one of the chairs and raised his head. He yawned at us.

At least he distracted me. “Damn cat spends more time here than he does with Hailey and me.”

April laughed. “Maybe you’re not the only male claiming me.”

“So I’m competing with a cat?”

The smile faded from her face, and she eyed me intently. “After last night, I don’t think you’re competing with anyone.”

I couldn’t help the warmth spreading inside me at her statement. “We’re pretty incredible together.”

She nodded, and her throat moved as she swallowed a drink ofcoffee. “And that brings me to something I need to say. Just because I’m not looking for a deep, serious relationship doesn’t mean I’m okay sharing you with anyone else.”

I reached out and smoothed her hair. “You don’t need to worry about that. My divorce pretty much ruined me on ever falling in love again, but I don’t sleep around.”

“Neither do I.”

I crossed my legs, resting my ankle on the opposite knee. “So, it sounds like we have a pact. We have an exclusive but non-serious relationship?”

Her smile returned, and my lips answered it without me controlling them. “We do. Exclusive but no falling in love.”

“Agreed,” I said. “I have something I need to be clear on too. Hailey.”

“What about her?”

“She likes you, so I’m sure she won’t have a problem with us being together. But it’s important to me that I set an example for her. I’d rather not have her see us together in the morning when she wakes up.”

“I can understand that. You don’t want her to know we spent the night together?”

I sighed, though I was pleased April wasn’t upset. “She’s had a rough couple of years, and I just want her to be a kid for as long as she can. I’ve talked to her a little about sex, but hopefully, she won’t figure out the specifics until she’s at least thirty.”

April tipped her head back and laughed. “You’re going to be a nightmare for her boyfriends.”

I grinned. “That’s the only part of her teen years I’m looking forward to.”

“You do have plenty of sharp objects in the shop if any of them get out of line.”

Leaning forward, I pressed a kiss to her soft lips. “I like you a lot.”

“I like you too.”

I drank the last of my coffee and set my cup on the table. “I’d better head up to the cottage so you can get to work. I’ve heard your boss can be a prick.”

She tipped her head back and forth. “He makes a lousy first impression, but once you get to know him, he’s not so bad.”

I laughed, enjoying our banter.

April reached a hand to my jaw and stroked the stubble. “I like hearing your laugh, Gabe.”

“Hailey’s been the only person who could make me laugh. Guess I’d better add you to that list.”

“Better add me to a bunch of lists, mister.”

After another long, leisurely kiss, I stood and strolled off the porch. Hemingway followed me back to the cottage, apparently feeling breakfast outweighed morning sunshine with April. I glanced down at him as he shimmied through the door with me.

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