“I have an outsider’s point of view, and I can tell you that you’re not.”

“But you might be biased because you like me so much.”

She straightened up, looking me straight in the eyes. “Nope, I’m one hundred percent objective.”

“So you sewed after you returned from the pub, huh? And you also planned your business?”

“Well, I didn’t do it at the same time. I only started planning once everyone was old enough to sew their own clothes without losing any fingers.”

“Free time wasn’t a thing for you back then, I take it?”

She laughed. “You could say that. By the time I opened the business though, everyone was older. They didn’t need me so much and I didn’t even know what to do with so much free time. So I basically did the jobs of three people for years.”

“I know what you mean. You condition and train yourself for so long that it’s the only thing you know. It becomes your normal.”

“Exactly. Everyone was telling me I had to slow down, but I was like, what are you talking about? This is slowing down. I’m doing better now, though. I have a healthy balance, and I enjoy my chill life and my time off.”

I stilled, hoping that my less than “chill” life wouldn’t scare her away, because I needed this woman in my life. Val and I had been dealt similar life blows, only we were at different stages. She had those busy years behind her and was enjoying her freedom, while I would still be in the thick of it for the next ten years.

I traced kisses along her jawline, then down the column of her throat. She shuddered, and I moved my lips over her collarbone, up to her shoulder, pushing off one strap.

“What should I do about this dress? It covers far too much.”

“Take it off?”

I smiled against her skin, finding the hem and lifting it up to her knees, which were propped at my sides, then further up her thighs until her legs were completely on display.

But then Peyton’s voice sounded throughout the apartment, calling me.

I took in a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “I’m going to move Peyton to her room. It might take a while for her to fall asleep. Do you want to spend the night here?”

The muscles around my middle clenched. I hadn’t planned on asking her this yet. I’d figured I would ease her in, take things one step at a time. But now every fiber of my being was strummed tight, waiting for her answer.

“Are you sure?”

“If you’d rather not—”

“I want to.”