“You and Levi: what’s the deal with that?” he asks, and I cringe. I don’t know why I’m surprised he’s asking me about this, but I am.
I clear my throat. “When Parker was about one we dated for a while, but we decided we’re better off as friends.” By we, I mean me.
“How long did you date?” he asks in a tone that tells me he’s none too pleased about my news.
“Six months?” I reply, making it sound like a question.
“So you slept together,” he says to himself. “Great. I think it was better when I didn’t know.”
I completely agree with that statement. “It’s in the past,” I say softly. “We’re trying to move forward, right?”
He nods, looking tense, but saying nothing. I puff out a breath and look out the window.
When we pull up at Gage’s house to pick up Parker, Tane says, “How about on the next date night we take Parker with us?”
I smile. “I think that sounds great.”
“Good because I have an idea.”
“Are you going to share it with me?” I ask.
He grins. “Not yet, but Parker will love it.”
Levi walks out holding Parker, and the smile drops from Tane’s face. He opens the door to get out.
“I’ll get Parker,” I tell him quickly.
I get out of the car and open the back door to put Parker in his car seat. “Hey, Levi.”
“Hey Giselle, you look beautiful, as always,” he says, leaning into the car and buckling a sleeping Parker in his car seat. “Hey Tane.”
“Levi,” Tane replies shortly.
Oh, boy.
Levi flashes me a knowing grin. “How was date night?”
“Good, how was Parker?”
“A delight,” Levi replies, shutting the door closed gently.
“Where’s Gage?” I ask, looking behind him.
Levi coughs. “He had a date.”
I gape. “No way. Like, an actual date?”
He laughs. “Yeah, flowers and all.”
“Holy shit. I’m sorry; if I had known Gage had plans tonight I wouldn’t have just left you to watch Parker.”
“You know I don’t mind,” he says with a shrug. “I had no plans.”
I offer him a small smile. “I better get going. I’ll see you next weekend.”
We say bye, and I get back into the car.
“He still wants you,” Tane says when we’re almost at his house.
“We’re just friends,” I reply. He’s my family. How do I explain that? I won’t ever turn my back on Levi. He and Gage were there for me when no one else was. Such loyalty and friendship should never be taken for granted.
“Will you stay the night?” he asks as we pull into his driveway.
When I hesitate, he adds, “Just to sleep.”
“Okay,” I reply. We’re already at his house. It makes sense, right?
Tane carries Parker as I take his keys and unlock the front door, then tuck him in bed.
“Do you have a t-shirt I can sleep in?” I ask him a little shyly. He smiles and pulls me by my hand into his bedroom. I look around as he digs into his drawer, finally pulling out a worn blue t-shirt that I recognise instantly.
“I can’t believe you still have that,” I say, pulling it from his hands. It used to be my favourite t-shirt of his, back when he was seventeen. I lift it to my nose and smell it. “I love this shirt.”
“I remember,” he says, chuckling.
I’m caught off-guard when he leans down and kisses my lips.
Wow.
My eyes flutter closed, but the kiss is finished before it began. The touch was brief, chaste, and sweet.
Tender.
It leaves me wanting more, but also feeling slightly dazed.
“You k … kissed me.”
“I did, and I hope I can do it again soon,” he says, eyes dancing with amusement. At my reaction, maybe?
I could get used to kissing Tane every day.
“Get changed. I’ll make us some hot chocolate,” he says, smiling at me before walking away.
I bring my fingers to my lips.
Then I smile.
*****
I lay in bed next to him, his arms wrapped around me and smile.
It’s the best sleep I think I’ve ever had.
*****
I’m happy I don’t have to wait until next week for the next date. Two dates in two days is breaking the agreement, but I don’t even care. I can’t hide the fact that I want to spend more time with Tane. Things are moving slowly, which is what I need, and I find myself thinking about him more and more.
Today he takes Parker and me to the water theme-park. It’s hectic, people are everywhere, but I’ve never seen Parker have so much fun. He insists that Tane and I each hold one of his hands because that’s what families do. It makes me so happy to see him so excited about having Tane in his life.