Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(39)

“It’s the only piece I care about really. The rest is up to you.” I leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Let’s order it and then head out.”

Shawn and I headed off toward the sales counter. Behind us I could hear her mumbling about how it took four stores only to pick out a couch.

Ginger took the empty seat beside me. “Leaving it up to me, I’m going to put you in a twin bed.”

I turned and smiled. “I’m okay with that. Just means we’ll be sleeping really close each night.”

A smile spread across the sales lady’s face. Ginger frowned at me, and tucked strands of her hair behind her ear. Either she hadn’t made time for a haircut, or she was letting it grow out again. I hoped it was the latter.

Shawn fought to get free, so I let him down. He instantly took off, running away from us.

“Or I could make you sleep on this couch you spent so much time picking out,” Ginger rebutted, and ran off to chase down her son.

After putting the stroller in the trunk, I walked up behind Ginger as she buckled Shawn into his car seat. I took a moment to admire how nice her ass looked in the jeans she wore before wrapping my arms around her waist.

“Da-da.”

I smiled at the happy, but sleepy little boy. “Gimme a pound, buddy.” Shawn balled up his tiny fist, stretching his arm out to me.

“You two.” She pushed me back once she was done with her task.

Stepping forward, I opened the passenger side door for her. “Your place or mine?”

She cast a glance back at Shawn, who was fighting to keep his eyes open as he drank from his sippy cup. “Mine.”

I opened the door for her. “Thanks again for coming with me today.”

She smiled. “Don’t thank me yet. You’ve not seen my bill.”

I closed her door and laughed as I walked around to the driver’s side.

When we got to her place, I parked in front of the garage. My mind briefly went back to the thought that behind those doors sat his cars. I pushed the thought away.

“Want me to carry him up?”

She shook her head. “No, but it would help if you unlocked the door.” She pulled her keys from her purse and handed them to me.

Like the seasoned pro she was, Ginger managed to get Lil’ Man out of the car and up the stairs without waking him. Since we’d skipped lunch, I rummaged through her fridge to see what I could fix. She got back downstairs just as I finished the sandwiches.

“Nice to see you’re not totally helpless in the kitchen,” she commented, taking the plate from my outstretched hand.

“This is nothing. I make a mean bowl of cereal too.”

She laughed. “So, basically all cooking is left up to me.”

That was the second time she’d made a comment relating our relationship moving to another level.

“It’s probably best, but I’ll always take clean-up duty. You know division of labor, partnerships, all that jazz.”

She smiled but said nothing as she sat to eat. We’d had a good day. She was relaxed during most of it, playing around like her old self. It was what I looked forward to, spending time with her and Shawn.

Reaching forward, I took hold of her hand, and ran my thumb over her knuckles. “You know, if it meant having you under the same roof, I’d happily sleep on my new couch.”

Her eyes widened before her brow creased in a frown. “I was joking when I said that.”

“I know, but just sayin’ it’s an option.”

She pulled her hand free, and got up to take her plate over to the sink. I followed suit. Stepping up behind her, I put my plate in the sink then placed my hands on the counter on either side of her.

“I need to go check on Shawn.”

I looked at the baby monitor sitting on the island. “I’m pretty sure he’s still sleeping. Can we just have one conversation about us where you don’t try to run away?” I spun her to face me, and circled my arms around her waist.

“I’m not!” She shoved my chest. “Let me go, Malcolm.” She shoved me again, and I released my hold. She quickly backed away from me, wrapping her arms protectively around her body.

“Shit, Ginger, I’m sorry. I just want—”

“I know what you want, Malcolm. You make it clear every time you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”

“Whoa, what? What the hell do you mean by that?” I took a step forward. She took another back.

She started massaging her temples, keeping her eyes down at the floor. “Nothing. I don’t want to talk about this again.”

“Talk about what again, because as best as I can tell you shut down any real conversation I attempt to have with you. And now you’re making comments about me not keeping my hands to myself. I try. Lord knows I try to restrain myself as much as I can when it comes to touching you, but damn...you kept his name. You continue to live in his house. Hell, you even have kept all his fucking cars in the garage. Please just explain to me why you are so hellbent on not moving forward, because I just don’t understand. ”

She refused to look at me. I watched, waiting impatiently as she took slow breaths and mumbled low to herself. “Forgive me if I’m not ready for some man to once again force me to give up my independence and move out of my home into a place of his choosing. Been there, done that! You ambushed me into this relationship—”