“We have to bring Elsa,” I tell him from the bedroom while I pack a bag, slipping into my yoga pants. “When is your next game?”

“We leave tomorrow and come back Thursday,” he tells me, coming into the room. “You can come back here or stay at my place, but,” he says, sitting on the bed, “I don’t want to sleep without you.” He looks at me. “If I’m home, I want to be with you. Whether we sleep here, or we sleep at my place.”

“Okay,” I say and watch him exhale heavily. “What is with the big exhale?”

“I thought you would give me a hard time,” he tells me, and I laugh. “Can we go now?”

“Go pack Elsa and I’ll grab my stuff.” I wink at him.

“You know, she can stay here alone for two days, right?” he says, and I walk out of the closet.

“Don’t even joke like that,” I say, and he laughs.

“How the tables have turned from you dropping her off at the fire station,” he says, grabbing my hand while he holds Elsa in the other. We get into the car, and I hold Elsa on my lap as he makes his way to his house. When I walk into his house, I get this feeling like I’m home, which is just a touch weird, considering I have my own home. I put my bag down in the closet while he puts Elsa in the kitchen. “Did you buy light up rocks?” he asks, coming into his room.

“You kept my robe?” I ask him, looking at the robe hanging next to his.

“Yeah,” he says, pulling off his shirt and pants and kissing my neck. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Want me to join you?” I ask him, and he looks at me with a twinkle in his eye.

“Is that even a question?” he asks, and I follow him into the shower.

“Is it okay that I left my stuff by the sink?” I ask him, walking out and seeing him already in bed. “I have my face creams and all that. I can pack it back in the bag if you want.”

“I like it there,” he says. “Leave it.”

I get into bed with him, and he pulls me over to him. “I love you,” he says, and I look up at him. This man has held my hand and helped me love without even knowing.

“I love you, too.” I smile at him, and for the second time in my life, I sleep more peacefully than ever.

Chapter 32

Mark