“Oh but first,” Wesley smiled, taking a long drink before setting his glass on the coffee table, “what took you and Rory so long?”

“She got really scared when I told her that Arlo’s tummy hurt again. So I let her hug me and softly rubbed her back, doing my best to calm her down. When I asked if she cared about him, she nodded, still hugging me. So I simply held her. I seemed to make it better when I told her about our new plan for going to school and stuff and then taking her to get what you had asked for. She’s so sweet,” I smiled, resting my head against the side of the couch.

“You’re really good with her.”

“I just treat her the same way I would have treated Arlo at that moment. All kids need support,” I shrugged, pulling my legs up onto the couch and sliding into the corner.

“True. That’s why I stayed with Arlo while you were gone. He seemed worried that there was something wrong so I started asking him simple questions. It distracted him long enough for you to come back.”

“Thank you,” I reached over and squeezed the hand he had along the back of the couch.

“Happy to do it. So. Where did you go to college?”

“Washington State. Did you have to when you came back?”

“Mhm. New Mexico State. Have you always lived in Washington?”

“Yeah. I have no desire to go anywhere else. I love it here. Do you plan to stay?”

“Yeah. I refuse to leave. It’s too nice here. The weather isn’t great but I like it. Rory does too.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Would suck to suddenly lose my new friend,” laughing, I softly rubbed his hand.

“I won’t go anywhere,” he smiled, lacing our fingers together and rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.

“You’re very touchy,” I swallowed thickly.

“You’re one to talk! You touched me first!”

“Hm. Touche… okay. When’s your birthday?”

“August 10th. It just passed.”

“Aw, I missed it! I love birthdays. Shoot.”

“Me too. When’s yours?”

“June 16th. So mine just passed as well. What about Rory?”

“August 5th. Just before mine actually. I’ve always considered her my birthday present,” he smiled, tracing the lines of my palm.

“That’s sweet. Arlo’s in April. On the 12th.”

“Aw spring baby.”

“That he is.”

“Hey, Eli?”

“Hm?”

“Why are you so sweet to us?”

“Well… I don’t really know. But there was something about you and Rory that just sort of… settled for me the minute I saw you both. I don’t know,” shaking my head, I laid my head back, “is that weird?”

“No,” he whispered, sliding his hand up my arm, “no I felt the same. As soon as I saw you… I won’t tell you what all I felt but your eyes drew me in. I felt safe, warm, and welcome. A feeling I haven’t felt in years.”

“I immediately went ‘Oh no he’s hot’ the minute I saw you,” I laughed before quickly covering my mouth.

Shit.

“Are you drunk, Eli?” he laughed, poking me in the stomach.

“Buzzed for sure. You make them stronger than I do.”

“I didn’t take into consideration the size difference,” he rubbed the back of his neck.

Wesley was a good head and half taller than me, his chest and shoulders wide, clearly incredibly muscular, filling out the sweater he was wearing completely.

“It’s fine. I just won’t drink anymore. I’d like to be conscious enough to make Arlo his special pancakes tomorrow. I just hope he’ll be able to eat them.”

“Special pancakes?” he smiled, going back to running his fingertips on my arm.

“I use food coloring and a mold that looks like a rainbow. He loves it. Hm…” I quickly got up and went into the kitchen and Wesley followed me confused, laughing when he watched me hop up onto the counter to look at the top shelf, “let’s see. I have pink, purple, black, green, blue, and yellow food coloring. Maybe I’ll make one of each color tomorrow. Maybe not black. A black rainbow seems sad.”

“Why the hell are you on the counter?” he sighed, putting his hands on my hips so I wouldn’t fall.

“I’m short. Didn’t feel like hauling out the step ladder. Shut up you giant,” I moved the food coloring to a lower shelf, trying not to focus on the feeling of his hands on my hips.

“Get down you’re gonna get hurt.”

“I might just live up here because you said that.”

“Oh my God you’re so stubborn,” he rolled his eyes at me.

“Get used to it I always am. I’m staying up here.”

“Fine. Then I’ll sleep in your bed.”

“No! It’s my bed! Rude!” I wiggled, trying to get out of his grip to jump down and I lost my balance, falling into his arms.

“Shit,” he laughed, holding me close to his chest, my arms around his neck, “well hello there princess.”

“Rude. Put me down.”

“No. I quite like this,” he laughed, still holding me.

“Wesley,” I whined, wiggling in his arms.

“Elijah,” he mocked me, carrying me into the living room and sitting on the couch, holding me close to him, “you’re so light.”

“I’m aware. Let me go.”

“You’re so grumpy. I kinda like it. Be meaner to me.”

“You’re weird,” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Maybe a little. Do you like it?” he whispered softly in my ear, his cheek rubbing against mine, sending shivers through my body.

“Y… yeah. Yeah, I do. I mean no. Stop it!"

“Is it yes or no? Make up your mind,” he laughed, deeper than before, the low timbre of his voice making me clench my hands to avoid the feelings brewing in my heart.

Stop it.

I’m severely attracted to you already.

I don’t do hookups though.

“It’s a yes but I…”

“Relax,” he trailed his fingers up my spine, “I’m not going to do anything until you let me take you on a date.”

“Excuse me!” I stared up at him in shock and he pinched my chin gently between his thumb and the side of his index finger.

“Shush you’ll wake the kids. I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy. I don’t like hookups, casual relationships any of that. I prefer something established, something real. I quite like you already. The way you are with Rory, you’re funny, kind, caring, and gentle. You’re fucking beautiful. So when you think you’re ready, tell me and I’ll treat you to dinner. But no rush okay? Just tell me and I’ll take you out.”

“Who will watch Rory?”

“Hm. That’s a good question. I hadn’t thought of that…”

“Would you be comfortable having Jerry and Holly watch them here? They always watch Arlo if I need them to. I think it’d make her feel better if he was with her.”

“Do you think they’d mind?” He chewed on his lip.

“Hang on,” leaning to the side, I grabbed my phone before settling back against him and texting Jeremiah.

-E: Dipshit are you awake?

-J: First. Rude. Second, of course I am.

-E: Hypothetically if Wes and I needed you to watch Arlo and Rory at my house for a few hours say… next weekend… Would you be willing?

-J: What do I get in return?

-E; My undying love and affection.

-J: I already have that. Pass.

-E: Fine. I’ll pay for your dinner for you and the kids. Including making your favorite cheesecake.

-J: Deal! We’ll be there next Saturday night at 5

-E: Literally hadn’t given you a time but thanks, big bro. Love you.

-J: Love you too pumpkin. Use protection.

-E: I take back my love. Fuck you.

Wesley was holding in laughter as he read the texts over my shoulder and as soon as I sent the last message he burst out laughing, a bright twinkling sound far more genuine than the flirty laughs he had been giving me.

Oh.

That’s a beautiful sound.

“Do you always talk to him that way?”

“Always. So next Saturday at 5?” I smiled up at him, chewing on my lip.

He rubbed the tip of his nose against mine, smiling, “absolutely. I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant and then we can go for a nice walk if you’d like.”

“You’re so excited.”

“Literally haven’t gone on a date in 9 years and never with someone I was instantly comfortable with.”

“I think I went on one date with Ashley. That was… fuck 7 years ago? I was 19. I’m comfortable with you too. Clearly. I’m still in your lap.”

“I forgot the part where you’re 26. Does… does the age difference bother you? I’m 32 after all.”

“No,” I shook my head, tracing his jawline with my thumb and he closed his eyes, “it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”

“I should ask you something,” he shivered at my touch, making me smile, “what exactly would you be interested in?”

“I'm not sure what you’re asking.”

“Are you interested in just simple dates or would you like to… be in a relationship with me at some point? I'm okay if you just want to date and have fun. It’s not my favorite but if it was you, Eli, I’d put that feeling aside. I just… I care for you already and…”

“Ah, I’m realizing something about you. You’re an over-thinker aren't you?”

“Yeah. I have anxiety so…”

“I’d like to form a real relationship with you. It’s okay. We already solved the biggest part of that.”

“You… would? Oh… that’s amazing,” he squeezed me, burying his face in my hair, “what did we solve?”

“Our kids. They adore each other. That would have been my biggest deal breaker. If Arlo didn’t like you or Rory. He’s the biggest part of my life.”

“That’s how I feel about Rory. That’s what drew me to you at the hospital actually. I didn’t seek you out purposely but something told me to head that way and I found you. I would have stayed the entire time, waiting for Arlo if I wasn’t so tired. It killed me to leave you like that,” he sighed softly, pulling my ponytail out and running his fingers through my hair, “I remember watching my baby laying in a hospital bed, all alone. It was terrifying. So leaving you, knowing you’d be there by yourself, it really hurt. That’s when I knew.”

“Knew what?” I whispered, closing my eyes and leaning into his touch.

“That we were supposed to find you and Arlo. That enrolling her at Rother was always supposed to be her path.”

“This has been an emotional ass two days,” I laughed, resting my head against his chest, “god I just realized that Arlo is going to be in 7 hours.”

“Do you want to go to bed? It won’t hurt my feelings.”

“I hadn’t thought about something…”

“What is it?” He continued to play with my hair, his other hand laying on my thigh.

“Where the fuck are you going to sleep? You’re too damn tall for my couch.”

“Ah. I hadn’t actually considered that either. I just wanted to be here with you guys.”

“We’re adults. Can you keep your hands to yourself?”

“I can’t promise anything.”

“Wesley!”

“I’m kidding,” he laughed, “I can. Well other than playing with your hair. It’s so soft.”

“Just sleep in my bed with me then. It’s big enough for both of us. Or does that go against what you’re comfortable with?”

“That’d be fine. I would love that…”

“Me too. You’ll have to let me go though unless we’re just going to sleep like this.”

He huffed and I looked up at him, “I don’t want to let you go.”

“I will allow you to play with my hair when we’re laying down,” I laughed.

“Fine,” he nodded, finally releasing me.

“I’m going to go change. I have a bathroom in my room so feel free to use the other to get ready for bed,” I hopped up.

“Okay,” he smiled again, the gap in his front teeth showing.

How is someone so big and so cute?

He’s so gentle.

We went into the separate bathrooms and I quickly changed into my favorite pajamas, a black crop top tank top with matching pants, small aliens on them. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I went into the bedroom and fixed the bed, pulling the blanket and sheets down.

“You get ready fast,” Wesley laughed quietly from the doorway.

“I love getting to bed. You have no idea.”

I still hadn’t looked at him, puttering around my room, and when I finally turned around, my eyes grew wide.

Wesley had changed into a skin-tight black tank top, and red flannel pajama pants, a simple outfit but what had stopped me was that my earlier assessment had been correct. He was incredibly muscular, his abs showing through his tank top, and he had a large number of stretch marks on the inside of his elbows.

Holy hell.

I am not worthy.

“Eli?” He tilted his head, looking at me confused.

Don’t do that you human golden retriever!

You’re not allowed to be the cutest and the sexiest man on the planet at the same time.

I’m offended.

“Ah. Sorry. Lost in thought,” I quickly climbed into bed, propping myself up with the pillows.

Wesley joined me, copying me and he pulled the blanket over both of us.

“I like to fall asleep with the TV on. Is that an issue?” I smiled at him.

“Nope I do too,” he shook his head, “ah shit. I forgot the light.”

“I got it hang on,” grabbing my phone, I went to an app I had that controlled the lights in the house and turned the lights down before turning the LED strip behind my dresser on, bathing the room in soft blue light, “I bought Bluetooth lightbulbs. Also yes. I know that’s ridiculous but I’m lazy.”

“I want some,” he laughed, “where’d you get them?”

“Nile. I can order them for you. Just pay me back. How many do you want?”

“Hm… 4?”

“Okay,” I nodded, grabbing my TV remote and handing it to him, “put whatever on. I’m going to order the bulbs and a cot with a small mattress for Rory. Or… hm.”

“What is it?” He smiled, putting a documentary on before sliding his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close to him.

“Well, I could get her a tatami.”

“What’s that? It sounds familiar.”

“Japanese futon. They’re pretty comfy. I had one before I bought this bed. I just really don’t like the idea of her always being on the floor when we do sleepovers. Maybe I’ll buy one and a cot that way she’s up off the floor that’d make me feel better. I’ve been meaning to buy something like that anyway.”

“How much is it?” He rested his chin on my shoulder, watching me.

“Hm… 100 altogether. No biggie,” shrugging, I found a pink kids cot and a tatami that was the perfect size to go on top of it, ordering it quickly, “it’ll be here before our next sleepover.”

“That’s so much money,” he sighed softly, “please let me pay for half.”

“Nope,” shaking my head, I laid my phone on my nightstand, “absolutely not.”

“You bought me dinner already. Now you’re paying for a whole thing to make sure my daughter is comfortable, possibly one night a week. Please.”

“No.”

Wesley sighed and ran his free hand down my arm before he suddenly started tickling me.

“Wesley!“ I laughed, falling on my side, “stop it!”

“No,” he smiled, still tickling me, “it’s too much fun.”

Two can play this little flirting game.

I quickly fought him off and pushed his back flat against the wall before straddling him, my hands on his shoulders. His entire face had gone red, his hands hovering near my sides.

“I win,” I whispered, studying his face.

“Y… yeah you win,” he swallowed thickly.

“Am I making you nervous?”

“Nervous? No. Am I having inappropriate thoughts? Absolutely,” he laid his hands on my hips and squeezed, “your skin is so soft.”

“Your hands are too,” I fought down the urge to whimper at the way his fingers trailed across the top of my pajama pants.

“Eli… I love this but we should… we shouldn’t do anything. I’m incredibly attracted to you, but I told you… I want to wait,” he let go of my hip with one hand and pushed my hair behind my ear, “let me actually give you romance. Then… then we can pick this up.”

“I should tell you something before we ever decide to get to that point. When I said Ashley was the only person I had ever been with I wasn’t kidding. I’m not sure how to go about any of this.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“I’ve gathered,” I smiled, rubbing our noses together.