What had he said about that? “Something like he thought he was taken, but then he met me.”
“Hmmmm. So it’s possible he doesn’t even love Annie romantically, and he’s just doing his duty?”
Lori finished off her coffee as she considered that thought. She’d never heard him actually say he loved her. Just that he was sure Annie loved them, in her own way. “I don’t know, but he said I was making it ten times harder to do the right thing for Asher. That’s the crux of all of this. Deek feels duty bound to provide Asher a home, complete with both of his parents. I’m not sure I should get in the middle of something he believes so strongly about.”
Shelby shrugged. “Yeah. Because the alternative is that you’re miserable without him, Deek’s miserable because he’d rather be with you, and Asher could end up living in a home with a father who’d settled, and a mother who’d rather be out digging in the dirt than be with her son and husband. So it’s better you step away, then everyone can be miserable all around.”
Shelby was just the person she needed to hear say that. “So you don’t think I’m a home-wrecker?”
“No. I think you’re a woman with a huge heart who’s falling in love. And any man who says he wants to spend every waking moment with you is a man who sounds happy. Because of you. And I know you’d be the best stepmother any kid could ask for. So I’ll wish you luck.”
Lori’s heart felt light as a feather again. “Thank you—”
“Wait.” Shelby cut her off. “But if you move forward with this plan, you’ll also need to be prepared for if it doesn’t work out all happy rainbows and unicorns. Deek might have to put Asher first and do what he thinks is best for his son. And if that’s what he chooses, you have to be prepared to walk away and let him live with his choice.”
That was a sobering scenario. But Shelby was right. “I’m fully prepared to have my heart bludgeoned.”
“Bludgeoned?” Shelby winced. “That’s a harsh word, but probably just how it’d feel. If that happens, I’ll bring the chocolate and wine. Then we’ll hate on men while you get drunk and I get even fatter.”
“That’s assuming I’d share the chocolate. And that’s not a given.”
“You underestimate me.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a chocolate bar. “I never leave home without one. And a barf bag.”
Lori smiled, grateful she had such a wonderful support system. Life was too short to be afraid of another heartbreak. And commitment again. She’d have to work on that one as she went along.
So, she’d finish up her work and then find an excuse to see Deek later. Maybe she’d invite him over for dinner. Or better yet, talk him into cooking for them in that beautiful kitchen he claimed to love to use.
She hadn’t thought of that before. That if she and Deek ended up together, she might never have to cook on a daily basis again. Talk about icing on the cake.
Deek glanced at the time on his computer screen. Annie was supposed to call, but he’d taken Lori’s advice and decided to quit reminding Annie to talk to her son. Since they’d just talked on Monday, maybe Asher wouldn’t be too disappointed if she forgot.
He leaned back in his chair and ran the terms of the deal he’d make with Annie in order to give her the money for the dig. He’d reiterated the option of marriage again, but hadn’t made it a requirement for the money. Her visits home were nonnegotiable, but if Annie didn’t want to marry him, he could live with that now.
He’d ask one more time when she got home and tell her it’d be the last. He didn’t want to be left hanging anymore. He and Asher didn’t deserve to be treated like that.
Annie’s main passion in life was archeology. She’d agreed that this would be her only dig, and then she’d take a museum job after she returned. Which might mean they’d have to move, but he could work from anywhere. However, anywhere but Denver meant he’d never see Lori again. But if they stayed, could he see her every day as just friends and not want her as badly as he wanted her now? He’d thought about her twenty-five times since he’d woken up.
He’d never done that with Annie.
Or maybe he had when he and Annie had first started dating in college. Maybe Lori was just something shiny and new, and he was making a mistake leading her on. But it didn’t feel like a mistake. It felt…right.
His phone dinged with a text that brought him out of his uncertain haze. He picked it up, hoping it was Annie.
Even better, it was Lori.