Page 55 of You Met Me There

“I know that. But you’re trying. And I appreciate that more than you know. I never thought we’d even get to this point. That we’d be having a conversation about what our future kids could look like. That you’d even care if they look like you or me. I didn’t think we’d ever have a real conversation about kids at all.” I run my fingers through the hair at his nape. “We’re moving in the right direction, Luke. Really. Truly. We’re still here. Together. It’s just a bump in the road on our way to happily ever after, right?”

He lifts his head, leans in, and kisses me. Just once. Our foreheads meet, and we sit for a minute, breathing each other in, sharing our space and our vulnerability with one another.

“You should get ready for our trail ride,” Luke says, standing and crossing to the dresser. He pulls a plain white shirt from a drawer.

I cross the room to him, lifting my hands to his chest. “I love you,” I say.

“I love you, too.”

I kiss him, long and slow, then I head to the bathroom. I’m in one of Luke’s oversized T-shirts, and nothing covers my legs.

“You’re going to like the outfit I got for today,” I say, my body halfway through the bathroom doorway.

“Oh?” He bounces his eyebrows. “I can’t wait to see it.”

“I’m going to be a real cowgirl. Prepare yourself. You might be blown away.” I wink.

“You blow me away every day. You’d think I’d be used to it by now.”

The fireworks in my stomach flare to life again. I laugh, turning the shower on, and watch through the crack in the door as my husband pulls the plain white tee over his head.

Plain white tees never looked so good.

Chapter 28

Luke

When Natalie steps into the living room, my jaw drops to the floor. She’s gorgeous in tight dark jeans that hug her hips and a sparkling pink vest. The hems of her jeans flare over pink cowgirl boots that have a square toe, and her hair is loose and wavy, sitting just above her shoulders.

I let out a low whistle, and she meets my eyes with a smile playing on her lips.

“Dang, girl,” I say, standing from the couch, my eyes swooping over her frame. “When did you get all this?”

“When I went for that little drive the other night when you were out for a run. As soon as I saw that brochure, I was already thinking of what I’d wear on a horse.”

“Alright, let me see the whole thing.”

“What?” she asks, her face twisting.

I point my finger in the air and make little turning motions. “Spin around,” I say. “Let me see what I’m working with.”

Natalie rolls her eyes, but she obliges me, making a slow turn in her boots. My eyes scan her from head to toe, lingering on the places her jeans hug her skin.

“You look amazing.”

“Are you sure it’s not too much?” She looks almost nervous.

“Definitely not. Nothing’s too much when it’s worn by Natalie Hamilton.” I wink at her and her cheeks flush pink. “Well, well, well. You’re blushing. Do I still have an effect on you?” I ask, my voice low as I take a step closer.

“You know you do,” she answers, her voice pointed.

I take another step. “And do you like that I have an effect on you?”

She shrugs, but her breath quickens as I move closer. “I mean, it would be weird if I wasn’t affected by my husband, wouldn’t it?”

I hum in agreement, nodding and holding eye contact with her.

“And,” she continues, “it would mean something was wrong with us if I didn’t feel certain … ways with you.” Stepping nearer, I see the rise and fall of her rapid breaths. “And I think I affect you too,” she states, her eyes flitting from mine to the wall. “So that would make us even.”