Garrison is sitting at the table, wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt.His back is to me, but I know he’ll have his Bible in front of him.As I move farther into the room, he turns and grins at me in a way that sets my insides on fire.
How did I ever think I could be just friends with this man?
“Morning.”
“Morning,” I reply.“Do you need a refill on coffee?”
“No, I’m okay.But thanks.Here, sit.Let me get you some.”He starts to stand, but I shake my head.
“I’ve got it.”
Garrison gets up anyway and follows me into the kitchen.Where most men would have moved in closer, he gives me space, letting me make the choice to step into those strong arms.
As I do, he wraps one around me, then cups my cheek and tips my face up to plant a quick kiss on my lips.“Good morning,” he says again.
“You already said that.”
“But now I’ve said it after a kiss.Which is what I really wanted to do all along.”
I grin up at him, feeling more hopeful than I have in longer than I can remember.“Well then, good morning.”I wind both arms around his neck and kiss him again.
He deepens the moment, the hair of his beard scraping delicately across my face.Oh boy, could I stay here forever?
Garrison ends the kiss, then releases me so I can get a fresh cup of coffee.As soon as I’m done adding cream and sugar, I turn toward him.
“So, listen, your carpet will be in today.”
“Really?I thought it would be another day.”
“Well, it would have been.I pulled some strings and got Harry to agree to laying it today.”
I arch a brow.“Ready to get rid of me?”Even as desperate as I was to get back to my routine, it stings.
“Not at all.”He takes a step closer.“But with what’s happening with us, I think it’s better if we have more than a hall between us.”
My stomach twists.
“Look, I have no intention of taking that step until I’m married, and I wouldneverpush you into anything, but it was hard enough to keep away from you before, and now that we’ve decided to move beyond friendship, it just feels responsible.”
My heart warms toward him, the love I already carry deepening.I take a step closer and place my free hand on his chest.The beat of his heart is steady beneath my palm.“I understand, and I appreciate your candor.”
His larger hand covers mine.“It’s not an easy thing for me to admit because I love having you close, Katelyn.Being able to get up in the morning and see both you and Thomas has been nothing short of a gift.”
I smile up at him.“I feel the same.And Thomas just asked me this morning if you’d still want to ‘hang out’ with us after we move home.”
“Nothing in this world can keep me from doing just that,” he replies, leaning down to press a quick kiss to my lips before pulling his hand away.
We walk into the dining room together, and Garrison pulls a chair out for me before taking a seat back behind his Bible.
“What are your plans for today?”I ask, seriously hoping those plans include seeing me.I have a packed day, though, so the likelihood of our paths crossing is low.
“This morning I’m headed to the gym.I can’t quite hit the mat yet, but I’m hoping to work up a sweat.”
“The mat?”
“Boxing,” he replies.
Concern for him erases the smile from my face.“Should you be doing that?I mean, I know it’s been a couple of weeks, but?—”