thinking about the next three and a half years as I try to make sure she survives high school."
He gently guided me out of the dining room, heading toward my bedroom. "We'll figure it out, baby. I mean, we have Ashley on our side, and I promise you she tried everything."
"And you didn't?" I asked.
He pressed a hand over his chest, pretending to be wounded. "I will have you know that I was a good boy. At least when I was sleeping."
"And I was actually a good girl," I told him. "A mediocre student, but I never even broke curfew."
"Really?" Then he closed the door behind us. "Elena? Are we overstepping our bounds? Pushing too hard?"
"No," I said, not even needing to think about it. "Why?"
Ian sighed. "I spent most of this morning with my father, getting my ass chewed for how I was treating that 'nice lady,'" he explained. "Dad gave me a rather impressive lecture about kids and their expectations. Things like that. The short version is that if I'm not interested in sticking around, then I shouldn't be sticking my dick in the mom." He caught my fingers. "So I want to make sure you know that I am. Planning to stick around, I mean. I'd kinda like this to be something permanent."
"And them?" I meant his roommates.
"And them," he agreed. "I know it won't always be easy, but I promise you, we're trying to get this right. To be as honest as we can, and to share everything with you. Everything, Elena, and there might be things that come out that you think are too much, but I know we can work through it."
That sounded bad. Very bad. "What are you talking about, Ian?"
"Just..." He sighed. "I have never met anyone I've wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Now I have, and things are moving really fast. The truth is that I'm just worried I won't be enough for you. We won't, I mean."
The air rushed out of my lungs, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're perfect, Ian. This weekend was too. Completely perfect. Please don't ever think that."
"That's the thing," he said softly. "I'm not perfect, but I want to be."
CHAPTER 44
Too many hours of late-night rehearsals, a few long days being stressed out, and winter in a public high school all came together to make sure that Gabby got sick on the "biggest week of her life," as she put it. It started Tuesday night with a headache that no medicine would stop. On Wednesday, she was running a low-grade fever, but she refused to stay home. There were still parts to try out for! Thankfully, a couple of pills got her temperature back to normal. On Thursday, she threw up after lunch but didn't tell me because she had to be available for the callbacks.
It was Olivia who did. As soon as she got home, she walked all the way to the office to let me know that Gabby was sick, and that she was worried about her. Friday, I refused to let my daughter go to school. She was running a fever and ached all over, so I told her to rest. I wanted to take her to the doctor, but she was having none of that, and her symptoms weren't really bad enough to warrant it.
I was just glad I worked so close. Leaving her with orders to text me, and that I'd be home at lunch, I headed to the office. The moment I walked in, Ashley knew something was wrong. She could probably see it on my face.
"Are you ok?" she asked.
I tried to wave it off. "Gabby's sick. She went crazy for this play, and now it's caught up with her. Not to mention that it's flu season. Just a head's up that I'll probably get it next."
"Joy," she groaned, making an X with her fingers as she backed away. "Don't contaminate me with that crap, woman!"
And since she wasn't at school, I sent a text to the guys, letting them know she wouldn't need a ride home. They all messaged back to see if there was anything they could do, so I asked them to look in on her if they were by the house. Each and every one agreed.
It was a half-hour before lunch when I heard Ashley's cell go off. The ring tone was the one she'd set for her brother. She was in her office, but it was