“It was as if a bomb went off, blowing our family to smithereens. I stood by my mother, even after she turned into an angry, bitter person. All because my father couldn’t live without a woman who was twenty years younger.” He forced out a harsh breath. “Once upon a time, I idolized my dad and believed in everything he stood for. But from that day forward, I lost all respect for him.”
Twenty years younger.
No wonder he’d fixated on their age difference. She put her hand over his, and he finally turned to face her. “Thank you for telling me about your father. Do you know how much it means that you opened up to me about something I’m guessing you’ve only ever told a handful of people? I bet you never told another woman the truth about your past.”
He regarded her with a gaze as deep as the ocean. “I never felt enough for any woman to go there. But with you, I have to.”
This was what she had been waiting for—the day when Cal opened up about the things that had shaped him. The really important things.
Which meant she could finally trust him with her really important things, especially the heart she’d been afraid to risk on him again.
“Any chance you want to go to a baby store with me?” she asked suddenly. “I’m thinking we should start looking for a crib and bedding and a chest of drawers we both think will look good in the room we turn into the baby’s bedroom at your place.”
“My place?” He blinked at her as though she were giving him the moon, the sun, and the stars. “Does this mean you’ll move in with me?”
“Your place has quite a bit more room than mine,” she said with a smile as she threaded her fingers through his. “And I can’t imagine sleeping anywhere but in your arms. Or waking up without you beside me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
This trip had started out as a challenge to make her fall in love with him so they could marry, and he could be a father to their baby. But it had become a burning need for her to fall in love with him because he couldn’t live without her.
Did wanting to sleep in his arms and wake up beside him mean she wanted forever? Did going to a baby store mean she was finally seeing him as a man she could depend on, a man she wanted as the father of her child?
A man she could love?
He kissed her long and deep, there in the front seat, until they were both breathless and aching for more. Until they could feel the stares of the people in the car parked beside them.
“I guess we’d better move on and find that baby store,” Lyssa said, her cheeks rosy with the heat of their kisses.
On the freeway, she directed him several exits down to another coastal town that had a baby boutique. He’d been in stores like this before to buy gifts for business associates who were expecting.
Today, he was here for his own child. It blew his mind.
The store was filled with baby clothes and lots of colorful, delicate things that made him realize just how small a baby was. He could hardly imagine what it would be like to hold his child in his arms.
“Cal, you’ve got to take a look at this.” Lyssa held up a green…thing.
“What is it?”
She was laughing as she said, “It’s an avocado suit. The baby’s head goes right here in this circle like it’s the avocado pit.”
He knew even before she said it. “You want one for our kid, don’t you?”
“Who wouldn’t?” she replied, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Still laughing, she stuck it back on the rack with the flower petals and dinosaurs and puppy outfits.
A sales clerk approached them. “Can I help you find something?”
Lyssa looped her arm through Cal’s. “We’re having a baby. It’s our first, and we wanted to stroll around your store to get a feel for everything we’re going to need.”
The woman’s blue eyes twinkled. “How exciting! Congratulations. I’m more than happy to let you wander without hanging over your shoulder.” She smiled. “If you have any questions about breast pumps or car seats or bassinets, just call me.” She returned to the register, busying herself with sorting receipts.
“Look at these darling dresses.” Lyssa fingered frilly things in a multitude of colors.
“Are you hoping for a girl?”
She gestured to the boys’ rack filled with sailor suits and cowboy outfits and rompers. “Either one would be perfect.” Then she turned her gaze to him. “What do you want?”
He was suddenly so choked up he couldn’t speak, could barely breathe. The sonogram and the heartbeat had made everything real. Yet, somehow, this was more.
Because Lyssa wanted him not only to be a part of the baby’s life, but part of her life too.