Page 78 of Inked Temptation
I didn’t know, but as I held my mom’s hand, I let out a deep breath, and tried not to choke up on emotion.
“I love you, Mom. And I love this time that we’re spending together.”
“Speaking of love,” she hedged, and I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Mom.”
“I’m just saying. I did invite Killian to the reunion. Just in case you didn’t.”
She started to move papers around as if she hadn’t just tried to throw my world into chaos, and I laughed.
“He told me.”
“He did?” she asked brightly.
“After I invited him. I thought it was a big move, inviting him to the reunion.”
“It is. And I’m so proud of you. That’s why I invited him.”
“Because you wanted to throw me into a big move?” I asked, confused.
“No. So that way he could come as just a friend in case it was too much for you. But I thought you would want him here. I see the way you two look at each other.”
“Mom. You know he’s been through a lot.”
“You have too.”
“Yes, but he’s still going through his. So we’re going slow.”
“You two are spending practically every night together, even with the drive.” She paused, then looked up at me. “Are you going to move?” she asked, her voice low.
I bit my lip. “Mom, we’re not ready for that.”
“That’s not a no.” She sighed. “If it happened, at least you would be in the same state. I’ve been very lucky that my babies have all decided to stay here, and work together, for as long as they have. We are not Fort Collins Montgomery Builders, we are Montgomery Builders. So I suppose you being in a different city, even as close as it is, is something I might have to deal with.”
“Mom. We aren’t ready for that. Things are getting complicated, not just with what I may or may not be feeling with Killian, but just life in general. Can we just worry about the reunion?”
Because I didn’t know what I wanted. That house still spoke to me, but I didn’t want Killian to think I wanted a house because of him. It might be a side benefit, but even saying that felt wrong. I hadn’t put an offer in yet, Robert and Evelyn hadn’t put the place on the market yet, either. Moving out there would change everything. Would I still be able to work at Montgomery Builders? I didn’t think so. We were a family owned and operated company. Yes, we brought in other members that became family, but all of my siblings worked there. I couldn’t just change it.
I wasn’t sure what to do, or to think, so I let out a breath and pushed those thoughts away. I didn’t have time for that. I had just come to terms with the fact that I loved Killian.
I didn’t want to scare him by telling him my feelings.
I had done that once, with Marc. And he had said it back, and now I was still afraid he had said it only to placate me.
That he had married me only to do the same.
So, I wasn’t going to do that again. I wasn’t going to put the cart before the horse and worry about my job, my livelihood, my home, or Killian.
I would just spend this time with my mom. Because timewasfinite and I needed to enjoy the moment. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
