a long time for, you know? I love Cunningham Falls, and I always will. But there’s only so far up to go here. I would like the change of pace. But there are a lot of reasons to stay here. I’m glad they gave me more time because I just want to enjoy the holidays with you and the kids and then see where things stand.”
Part of me is relieved for the reprieve. That Sam’s not going anywhere right now, and we can forget about the other job and just pretend that things won’t change.
The other part of me wants to demand that he decide immediately. I want to tell him to choose. Choose me. Stay here, with me.
But I can’t. This job could be his dream, and I’ll be damned if I ask anyone to give up their dream for me. That’s too much pressure.
“You’ll do what’s right for you,” is the only thing I can think to say that doesn’t include: Don’t leave me.
Before I do something silly and beg, I scoot over toward him and boost myself up to straddle his lap.
“Hey,” he says with a naughty grin. The one that always makes me a little weak in the knees.
“My inner thighs are on fire,” I inform him with a laugh. “But I don’t care. You look too good sitting here on my couch. So, I’m attacking you.”
“You always look good,” he replies. “And there’s probably something I can do for your inner thighs.”
“Really?” I cock a brow. “What would that be?”
“I can rub them,” he begins as his fingertips drag lazily up and down the backs of my calves. “Kiss them better.”
“That wouldn’t suck.” I kiss his forehead and brush my fingers through his soft hair. “Have I told you how much I like your muscles?”
“My muscles?” He leans his head back on the cushion and watches me with humor-filled eyes.
“Heck, yes. You’ve always had a good body, but then you went and got these muscles for days, and I just can’t resist them.”
“You know, it’s a lot of pressure when a woman says she likes your body.”
“Why is that?”
“Because now I feel the need to keep it. Which means I’ll have to spend more time at the gym and cut back on pizza.”
“Pizza is too delicious to give up,” I say, kissing the side of his neck.
“I said cut back,” he clarifies.
Suddenly, he stands with me in his arms and grins again. “Let’s go to bed.”
“Great idea.”
“Maybe I should be Spiderman when I grow up,” Kevin says as we leave the theater. I decided to take the kids to an afternoon showing of Spiderman after school.
“What happened to being a fireman?”
He takes my hand and scrunches his nose, thinking it over.
“Could I be both?”
I laugh and then shrug. “Sure. Who says you can’t? A firefighting Spiderman might be just what this community needs.”
I ruffle his hair as Kelsey points to Drips. “Can we see Aspen?”
“Of course, we can, if she’s here. I think she could be in London right now.”
I push the door open and the blissful scent of coffee and baked goods greets me. It’s like heaven.
“What are you guys up to?”
To my surprise, Aspen is behind the counter and grins when the twins run around to hug her.
“We went to the movies,” Kelsey informs her. “And then we came here.”
“I’m glad you did.” Aspen smiles over at me. “Do you need me to keep them for you?”
“Oh, no, we just wanted to pop in and say hi. I don’t always need something. Sometimes, I just want to see my friend.”
“I’m glad.” Aspen busies herself making a couple of hot chocolates and hands them over to the kids. “That’ll be fifty dollars.”
Kevin’s eyes get big. “I don’t have any money.”
“Well, I guess they’re on the house, then.” She grins as the kids hurry over to claim a table and drink their chocolate. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I lean on the counter to chat. It’s quiet in here today. “Sam’s on his third day of being on call, and the kids have been so good at school, I decided it was time for a treat.”
“You’re doing great with them,” she says, surprising me. “Kids are hard. I can’t imagine how it is with twins. They’re happy and healthy. It’s plain to see that you’re doing a good job.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I warn her, and then we both glance to the door when it opens, and a woman in a wheelchair rolls inside. “Hi, Tate.”
“Hey, Natasha. I