Page 76 of All Your Dreams

“Not for what happened,” I clarify quickly. “For what didn't happen. We never had children together. I didn't spend another ten years trying to fix someone who didn't want to change. I got out before all that.”

“You did,” Ollie agrees.

“And then I found you.”

The words leave my mouth before I can overthink them, and I don't regret them. Instead, a sense of calm settles over me. There isn't a voice in my head telling me to second-guess myself. Somewhere between bedtime stories, shared coffees, glances across the kitchen and the way he never stopped showing up for the people he loves, I'd started falling for him. It’s still the early days, but I’ve never felt like this before.

He stares at me before saying, “You're incredible, you know that?”

“You might be biased.”

“Completely, but it doesn't make the statement any less true.”

I smile, unable to look away from him. “You're looking at me like you want to kiss me again and do many other things.”

“I do,” Ollie admits, his cheeks getting a little color. It’s adorable to be able to make a grown man blush.

“Then why aren't you?”

“Because we have time. There's also one important thing we should probably talk about before this goes any further.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Protection,” Ollie says, looking almost bashful.

“Being responsible looks ridiculously attractive on you.”

He laughs under his breath. “I mean it, Miss California. I know you said it’s unlikely you’ll get pregnant because of your endometriosis, but that's not the only thing that matters.”

“I know.” I squeeze his hand in reassurance. “When I found out Nathan cheated, my doctor recommended I get tested for everything and the tests came back negative. I haven't been with anyone since him.”

Relief flashes across Ollie's face. “I've been tested recently, too. Nothing to report.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“Thank you for telling me, too,” he says and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “We can still use protection. Not because I don't trust you. Just because it's the smart thing to do.”

Warmth blooms through my chest. Even now, with every reason to lose ourselves in the moment, Ollie’s making sure we both feel safe. He slows everything down without making me feel like I'm asking for too much. That simple act of care feels as intimate as the kisses we shared.

“I'd expect nothing less,” I say.

He smiles to himself, then leans in until his lips rest against my forehead, staying there as if he needs the contact as much as I do. “Good.”

My body finally loosens, the lingering electricity giving way to something steadier. I press a kiss over his heart, right through the fabric of his shirt. His arm tightens around me, his chin settling atop my head. We stay wrapped around each other until sleep finds us both.

22

OLLIE

My plan for the evening while Peyton’s out with her friends involved exactly three things: Tilly, enough Chinese takeaway to feed a small village, and The Office playing from the beginning for the hundredth time. Then my phone buzzed.

Heather: Plans cancelled. I’m taking Tilly tonight. You need a break from baby duty.

Before I could type a reply, another message appeared.

Heather: You can bring her down or I can come upstairs and get her myself

I stared at the screen, then at Tilly, who was happily chewing on the ear of a stuffed rabbit. There was no point arguing. Heather raised three kids of her own; my niece wasn’t going to faze her. So, ten minutes ago, I packed Tilly’s things, handed her over at the door and watched Heather disappear down the stairs with her.