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“This, from the man who hasn’t told his parents he’s married. I don’t think this is the hill you want to die on, sport.”

“I told them,” he said quietly.

I glanced over to where he was propped up on pillows against the headboard. “How did they take it?” I asked, examining his dark eyes for any clues. “And why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugged, his expression impassive. “We’ve been busy, and I’ve been distracted. They wished me well. Said they’d try to make it home to meet you next year.”

I tried not to be hurt by his offhand response. “That’s it?”

He nodded. “That’s it.”

“Huh.”

“You get along with your family, and they care about you. You should let them know about your heart condition.”

I examined his sober face. “Just because your parents didn’t have a big reaction to the wedding, doesn’t mean they don’t care.”

“I know. It’s not their way. But it’s kind of fun to see parents excited about stuff for once. Your mom doesn’t exactly have a stiff upper lip. It’s nice.”

I snorted. “You’ll think differently after a few years of exposure to the drama.”

Jimmy’s wide grin took over his face. “I look forward to it.”

Huh. I’d spoken about the future. Years in the future. And he’d said, ‘he looked forward to it.’ Maybe I wasn’t the only one who’d had an epiphany about our marriage. I took a deep breath. “What do you mean?”

Jimmy’s warm brown eyes twinkled at me. “Imean, I look forward to your family drama. I hope it’ll bemyfamily drama.”

“Andi doesn’t give you enough excitement all on her own?”

Jimmy scrubbed his hands over his head. “Andi’s enough drama for anyone, but there’s room in my heart for more. I want you in my life. I want your family in my life.”

“For years to come?”

He nodded. “For years. Decades. Maybe a century if we’re lucky.”

It wasn’t a direct admission of his feelings, but it gave me hope. Hope I was too chicken to act on. Our prenup had specified a year. We’d put it in writing, and my sense of honor would hold me to it, no matter how much it hurt. I needed more time to see if he meant it. He hadn’t mentioned abandoning our agreement. Fear of failure was a helluva drug. Instead of sharing my heart, I turned it into a joke.

“Are we really lucky at that point? That sounds super-duper old. You’d be over 130. Probably hairless. Toothless.” I shuddered in mock horror. It was a lie. Jimmy was going to age well. He’d probably still be built at 130.

“If the medical science is good enough, sure. I can envision us racing around in our space chair pods. ‘Cause wheelchairs will be a thing of the past, but we’ll be so decrepit, our legs won’t work anymore.”

“Gee, you know how to give a girl something to look forward to, don’t you?”

“Speaking of things to look forward to,” his voice trailed off, but he stared steadily at me.

I shivered under his gaze.

“Yes?” Did I dare hope? His tone was serious.

“I’m looking forward to some privacy once your family leaves.”

Oh. Sex. Not feelings. Still, it was somewhere to start. I gave him my best skeptical expression. “Yeah? What are we going to do then? Watch more TV together without interruptions?”

He smiled, and I enjoyed the wicked light in his eyes. “Not exactly. Though we could check out some of those naked stations your brother’s so fond of, if you’re interested.”

“Nah, I like the real thing better,” I said with a grin.

He tilted his head, his expression warming with approval. “I can make that happen too.”