into my job.”
“It shows,” I say, resting my hand on his chest.
“Don’t tempt me, baby,” he says, swatting my ass playfully. “What about you? How’s work?”
“I like my job, but there is a lot of government red tape we have to go through. There’s a lot I didn’t get to see during my externship. I just want to help people. There was this woman… hell, she’s my age. She came into the office. She’s a nurse’s aide and a single mom. The dad is not in the picture and gives her no financial support. Anyway, health insurance is expensive, her deductible is outrageous, and her son, who’s four, has asthma. She was trying to get the medical card to help offset the deductible. She’s struggling to buy his meds and make ends meet. I helped her submit for financial assistance, a medical card, anything to help lessen the burden. She made five dollars too much. Can you believe that? Five dollars kept her from getting the assistance she needed to keep her head above water. I hate it. It’s so hard to tell them that news. I thought being a social worker, I was going to get to help people, help make a difference in their lives, and it’s been the exact opposite so far.”
“I’m sorry.” He places another soft kiss on my forehead.
“Well, I’m glad one of us has our dream job.”
“Maybe it’s just working for the county. Are there other avenues, places you can work that you can feel more fulfilled?”
“Possibly. I like my coworkers. I’m just riding it out, getting some knowledge and experience under my belt for now.”
“Maybe you can look for a new job,” he suggests.
“I’ve thought about it a lot recently.”
“Maybe you could look in Indy.”
It’s a casual suggestion, but the meaning behind it is nothing close to casual. “Maybe. Although adding the stress of finding a place to live and learning a new city doesn’t sound appealing.”
“You could live with me.” He tightens his hold. “Just consider it, Reese. I hate the thought of being away from you. We could see each other every morning and every night.”
“Do you know the definition of slow?” I ask him. I’m teasing. I know that he knows. I’m just trying to distract my heart as it thunders in my chest at his suggestion.
“Not when it comes to you. No.”
“That’s a big step.”
I feel him nod. “It is, but at the same time, we’re not strangers. Yeah, this is a new development in our relationship, but to hear everyone around us talk, they’ve been waiting on this and expecting it for years.”
“Who?”
“My parents, your parents, our friends. Everyone says they saw this coming. I just wish they would have pointed it out to me sooner. Maybe I could have pulled my head out of my ass a long time ago.”
“Did they tell you that? Our parents?” I ask. Although, I’m not surprised. My mother has dropped hints for years how she thought Cooper and I looked good together. I would roll my eyes, while inside I was secretly thrilled she thought so. Looks like I didn’t hide my feelings as well as I thought I did.
“They did. Nixon too.”
“Yeah, Tess said something similar while we were in Mexico.” I guess it’s not a bad thing we have so many people in our corner.
“I want this, Reese. I want you. I agreed I would try to go slow, but I need you to know that slowing this down doesn’t change the way I feel about you. It doesn’t change the fact you’re all I think about, and the life I want with you is all I can see when I think about the future.” He’s quiet for a few minutes. “Every future has a past, Reese. This is our story. We choose the ending.”
I’m certain he can feel the way my heart is racing. His words make me want to throw caution to the wind and jump in eyes closed, hoping for the best. I just need a little time, and I need to talk to Hunter, though. He really does deserve an apology.
“You’re making this hard for me,” I confess.
“Good. Because the thought of being away from you is tearing me up inside. This last year was pure hell, and I never want to go through that again.”
I snuggle into his chest, needing to be close to him. “I missed you too, Cooper.”
He doesn’t reply, but the tight hold of his arms around me tells me everything.