Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(79)

“I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t sure,” he replied. “And a minute? Where are you getting that? I would say we’ve been together since the Fourth, at least.”

“But then we agreed to wait…and even if we hadn’t—”

“Jenna.” Nathan’s tone grew serious. “This isn’t a big deal to me. If Oliver wants to tell them I’m his mom’s boyfriend, he can. If he doesn’t want to give them an answer, I’m fine with that too. I don’t care. My entire reason for being there is to make sure he has a good time—I don’t give a fuck about any other kid or what they have to say. I only care about Oliver.”

Breath rushed past my lips. I knew Nathan had just said a lot right now, and I absolutely heard and felt everything he was telling me, but only one thing began circling inside my mind. I couldn’t let go of it.

“So you’re my boyfriend, then?” I asked shyly, placing my hands on his hips and stepping even closer. I couldn’t hold back from touching him anymore. And holy crap, when had I ever felt this happy? I couldn’t remember.

Nathan’s smile was warm and sweet. “We’re dating…What else would I be?”

“I guess that makes me your girlfriend, then.”

“That’s typically how it works.” He let his arms drop and fall around me, linking his hands behind my lower back. “I’m thirty years old,” he said. “Am I doing this wrong? Should I be asking you out, like, officially? Do you want me to? I feel like I was very official with you last night.”

“You were.”

“Several times.”

“You could still ask. I couldn’t tell you the last time I was asked.”

Nathan’s expression hardened. “What the fuck, Jenna? Who are the men you’ve been hanging around?”

“Um…like, lately? You. My brother. Travis…”

“Stop. Forget I asked that.” He sighed in frustration, then bent lower until our foreheads touched. “It’s been a while for me…I might word this wrong.”

“You could never word this wrong. I promise.” I fidgeted on my feet, shifting my weight around. “I’m so excited,” I whispered.

Nathan chuckled. “I can tell.” He stared deep into my eyes. “I want to be with you so fucking badly. Will you be my girlfriend, Jenna?”

“OhmyGodIwouldlovetoyes,” I answered in a one-breath rush, smiling so big, my cheeks ached. He grinned and we kissed.

“Thank you for telling Oliver you’d go with him,” I said. “That means a lot to him, and to me.”

“I’m happy to do it. Honestly, it’s not a big deal.” Nathan’s phone beeped twice from his pocket.

I let go of him so he could get to it. I yawned and rubbed at my face. “God, I’m so amped up and tired at the same time. I feel like I could run a marathon but also pass out at any second.”

“You and me both,” he said, looking at his phone. He immediately began to smile, reacting to whatever message he was reading.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s my dad…Marley misses me.” Nathan studied the screen in disbelief, his forehead wrinkling in confusion.

“Of course she does. Why do you seem surprised?”

“I don’t know—Marley’s close with my parents. Closest, actually.”

“Maybe she used to be, but would you really say that now? Look at the two of you…I’d argue you’re the person she’s closest with.”

“No, she unfortunately has more history with my parents than she does with me.” He lowered his phone and looked at me then. “You should’ve seen her. She couldn’t wait to go over there last night. She didn’t mind me leaving her either.”

“And now even though she has them, she misses you.”

Nathan nodded tightly, like he couldn’t fully believe what was happening. “My dad said she’s been asking to come home since she got up. She keeps watching for me out the window. I…” His neck worked with a swallow. “I wasn’t expecting that at all. I figured she’d fight me when I went to pick her up on Monday.”

I reached out and took his free hand in mine. This meant something huge to Nathan. I could see it. And God, I couldn’t be happier for him.

I smiled. “What are you going to do?”

His answer came without the slightest hesitation. “I think I’m going to skip work and go pick her up.” He looked at his phone again, rereading the text. “She actually misses me,” he said.

“So, don’t make her miss you another second.”

Nathan nodded at my suggestion and shoved away his phone. He patted his pockets, making sure he had everything he came with, then lowered his gaze to my shirt—his shirt. “I have an extra one in the truck,” he said, grabbing my face and kissing me.

I was beyond happy not to part with his shirt. It had this clean, masculine scent that was so purely him. If it had once smelled like soap or laundry detergent, it didn’t any longer. It smelled like Nathan, my boyfriend.

Oh my God. He’s my boyfriend. Oh my God.

I walked behind Nathan to the door, where he surprised me by pressing his lips against mine again. I figured the kiss we’d shared in the bedroom had been our goodbye kiss.