Page 147 of Good For Me

He laughs. “He’s a pretty good person to talk to when you’re feeling down. He doesn’t always say much, but sometimes that’s what you need, you know? He listens.”

I nod. “I like him a lot.” It’s a struggle to swallow my food over the lump growing in my throat. “He kind of reminds me of my grandpa.”

River kisses my forehead. “No one is ever going to replace your grandpa, Jas. But my family will always be there for you.” He grins down at me. “You’re kind of stuck with us now.”

“It might take me a while to get used to all the hugging,” I tell him drily, and he laughs.

“I’m sure Paige will give you plenty of practice.” Then his face falls. “You overheard Reed, didn’t you? At Thanksgiving.”

I set my burger down, appetite gone just like that. “Yeah.”

He grimaces. “I’m so fucking sorry. I went off on him when I found out.”

“You didn’t need to do that.” I hate the idea of him fighting with his family over me.

He gives me a rueful smile. “I think I was projecting a little bit. I was pissed at everything and I took it out on him.” Then his face hardens. “But I am furious with him. He never should have said that. It’s none of his damn business.”

I have to force the next words out. “It’s not an unreasonable request, you know. If you want a paternity test or a lawyer to draw up something about child support—”

“Stop,” he demands, voice low and angry. “I don’t need that. I don’t want it. This kid is mine.”

He fingers a lock of my hair, rubbing the soft strands between his fingers. “You’re mine, too. And I don’t need a test or a lawyer to tell me how to take care of either of you.”

I should remind him that I don’t need taking care of. That my independence is important and I don’t belong to anyone. But the words don’t come. I’m starting to think it might actually be nice to be taken care of by River. And I’m pretty sure that I already do belong to him anyhow.

But that’s okay—because he belongs to me, too. And I’m going to love and take care of this man better than he can even imagine.

We finish our food and then River leads me out to the patio. The band is still playing, the atmosphere every bit as chill and easy as it was that first night he brought me here. We join the other couples on the dance floor and River wraps his arms around me, holding me tight as we sway, just like we did in the beginning.

In a lot of ways, this night feels like that one. Dancing with River under the lanterns and twinkle lights of his grandmother’s bar, feeling his sturdy, strong body against mine. The anticipation of some unknown new beginning hanging in the air between us.

But this time is better. Because this time, I know it’s not going to be one night. This time, I know I’m just starting the rest of my life with this man. And there’s nothing in the world better than that.