Page 232 of Just for the Cameras
“That’s what he said.”
“Aw, I kind of feel bad for him. He’s so heartbroken.”
“Don’t feel bad for him. He’s being dramatic.”
“Have you never been through heartache like that before?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Never cared about someone enough to experience that feeling.”
“Never?”
“Never.” I rub her thigh. “But I think I might be with someone right now who has the potential to bring me to my knees if she ever decided to walk away.”
“Just to your knees?” she asks with a grin. “Not face-first in an empty box of a dozen donuts?”
“I would never eat that many donuts in one sitting. So no.”
“Are you saying that I’m not worth a dozen donuts?”
“You’re right.” I squeeze her thigh. “It would be two dozen.”
She chuckles and pats my cheek. “That’s more like it.” She sips her coffee again and then says, “I’m going to finish this coffee, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
My brows draw together. “What do you mean you’ll be out of my hair?”
“Well, it’s Sunday. I know it’s your private day, and I don’t want to get in the way. Plus, I should probably do my laundry and prepare for the upcoming week.”
I smooth my hand over her thigh as a bout of nerves erupts in my stomach because I’ve been thinking about something, something that feels out of character for me, but I can’t seem to get the idea out of my head, especially since the season is about to start.
I want her by my side for all of it.
I want her immersed in my life.
I want to be able to share every aspect of my life with her, and there’s really only one piece left that she’s not a part of. And even though it’s themost traumatic, heart-wrenching part, it’s also the most beautiful part. The reason I am the man I am today. And I want her to know that side of me.
“What if you stayed?” I say, then clear my throat. “What if you…umm…came with me today?”
She stills, her coffee halfway to her mouth before she lowers it, and her eyes meet mine. “You want me to go visit your mom with you?”
“Only if you want to,” I say, feeling insecure. “I don’t want to pressure you. I just…” I push my hand through my hair. “I want you to see that side of my life. You’ve seen it all. That’s the last piece, and I want you to be a part of it.”
“Are you…are you sure?” she asks, trepidation in her voice. “Being with your mom is such a private moment for you. I don’t want to impose.”
“I wouldn’t ask you if I thought you would be imposing. But if you’re not comfortable with it, or if you think it’s too soon, you won’t offend me.”
She shakes her head, then sets her mug down on the coffee table. “I would be honored to meet her, Graydon. Truly, it means so much to me that you trust me enough to take me with you. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable with it. I can always just wait in the car for you.”
“No, I want you there.”
Her arm loops around my neck as she shifts and straddles me. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
She smiles softly. “Then I would love to go with you and meet your mom.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” I practically whisper.
She brings her lips inches from mine. “Thank you for trusting me enough to bring me.”
