She turned to Lissa. “Where is he?”

Lissa grinned. “He’s at home. I’m going to go hang out with Luka for a while and I won’t be back until after dinner. Just so you know.”

Ellen smiled at her. “Use a condom.”

“You, too.”

Ellen ran to get her handbag, then hurried to her car. It took what felt like ages to drive the couple of miles between their homes. She parked next to his truck, then raced up to the front door. Thankfully it was open as it always was. She hurried inside to his study where he sat staring at his computer.

“I’m in love with you,” she announced.

He looked up, obviously startled.

“Don’t say anything,” she continued. “Let me get this out. I’m in love with you. I think I have been from when we first met, but I didn’t know what love was and I didn’t date so it never occurred to me to be more than friends or that I would want to be more than friends.”

She took a step toward him. “I didn’t react before, when you said you loved me, because I was scared. It’s not that I want to be with other guys or that you’re my test boyfriend. I was holding back because I was afraid of the rules. That you would treat me like my parents did. I liked what we had because it was so easy and comfortable and amazing and great, but now I realize it’s not because we were playing, but because I’m in love with you.”

She paused to catch her breath. “It’s not just the sex, although I really like that. It’s you and me and how we are together. I want to be here for you. A real partner. I want this to be everything you want it to be. A committed relationship.” She realized she’d been talking a long time and he hadn’t said a word. “Unless you’ve changed your mind or something.”

He continued to study her for several seconds before standing up, circling the desk, taking her face in his hands and kissing her. Really kissing her. With lips and tongue and passion and promise.

She wrapped her arms around him, leaning against him, feeling the love wash over her. When he drew back, he said, “I haven’t changed my mind.”

“I’m glad.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I’m not changing my mind.”

“Me, either. I really don’t want anyone else, Keith. Just you. And Lissa, but you know, as a daughter. And I don’t have a lot of experience with relationships, so I’ll be learning as I go. If you’re okay with that.”

“I am.”

She put her hands on his chest. “So, we’re in a committed relationship?”

“We are.”

“Can we have sex now?”

“Yes. Sex is very much part of the bargain.”

She looked into his handsome face. “I’ve missed that but I’ve missed you more. We’re really good together.”