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“Well, I was lucky to talk him down a bit by offering him cash. I have to call and get some things moved around to make it happen, but I love this place. It’s in Orangevale, almost a quarter of an acre, four bedrooms, two bathrooms with a decent-size kitchen.”

“Wow. Sounds amazing.”

“Yeah, and with no payments, I won’t have to have a roommate,” he said.

“I had a roommate for several years, trying to save money but still live on my own, but it wasn’t worth it. I’d rather pay more for rent and have my own space. If I ever live with anyone again, it will be my husband.”

She noticed him stiffen before she realized what she said.

“Relax, I wasn’t proposing.”

Blake gave a stiff laugh, and it hurt—she couldn’t deny it. She knew this was only their first date and that he was still working through his issues, but in her mind, a husband, house, and babies were all a part of her future, and if she couldn’t talk about that stuff, how were they going to give this a real shot?

“Out of curiosity, why did you want such a big house for just you and a dog?”

Blake shot her a quick glance, and she stared back mildly. He must have decided there was no hidden agenda with the question, and he finally answered, “I don’t know. I guess I figured, if I’m going to buy a house, I want it to be one I can grow in.”

She stayed quiet until they reached Cold Stone Creamery, thinking about that answer. She took it as Blake might get married and have a family someday, and he wanted the room to do it. She wasn’t going to come out and ask, though, at least not after the whole parent fiasco.

She climbed out of her side of the car before he could get her door and headed toward the sidewalk.

“Hey, hey, hang on a second.” Blake reached out and grabbed her arm, gently bringing her in against him. “Did I say something wrong?”

Screw holding back. If he’s going to run, it’s better he does it now.

“I just don’t want to walk on eggshells around you. I know you want to take this slow, but I have an idea of what I want already. I want a full-time teaching job, maybe a little house, and I definitely want a husband and kids. We can take it slow, but I don’t want you freaking out every time I talk about what I imagine for my future. Believe me, it’s too early to picture you in it yet.”

Hannah waited for him to say something, never expecting it to be an apology.

“I’m sorry. This is new for me, believe it or not. I’ve only ever dated one woman, and she was . . . ”

Blake didn’t finish the sentence, and she wanted him to so badly. Maybe if he could talk about her, he would really start to move forward.

“Anyway, I’ll try not to be so damaged.” He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ears. “So, are we good?”

She caught his hand and held it to her cheek. “Believe me, Blake, we’re good.”

He held on to her hand and grabbed the door with his other, leading her into the empty ice cream shop. He ordered a Love It of mint chip and Hannah got a Like It of peanut butter and chocolate. While he paid, she sat down, staring out the window at the busy street.

She shouldn’t be so sensitive. Blake had lost his wife only two years ago, and if he was just starting to date, she needed to be patient. It wasn’t as if she was in any rush.

“You know, I’d love to watch you train Charge sometime. Maybe you could help me with Milo.”

“I think that little demon is a lost cause.”

Hannah laughed, waving her spoon at him like she’d wag a finger. “You be nice. He just needs to get used to you.”

“That puppy has a mean streak a mile long. You wait. When he’s eighty pounds, he’s going to tear my throat out.”

Hannah tried not to react to his comment, just silently celebrated that even if he didn’t know it, he was thinking of a future with her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

BLAKE WALKED HANNAH to her door after ice cream, holding her hand in his. Compared to his first date with Jenny, this one was a lot more interesting, but it was still nice. Better in some ways, because even though he was a little nervous about what would happen next, he wasn’t pumped up with teenaged hormones and insecurities. And Hannah had been honest about what she wanted, had called him out on his bullshit, and he liked it. He didn’t have time for games, and he appreciated Hannah’s candor. He could tell at the time she hesitated saying anything, but he was glad she had.

“So, what are your days off this week?” she asked.