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My mental record scratched.Love.Was this love? Feeling goofy over Ty?

If ever there was a man to lose my heart over, Ty had to be him. Fiercely loyal to his family and friends. Competitive, but not unkind. Loving, and willing to show it.

The wonder of my self-discovery kept me quiet on the way home, but Ty brought me out of my silence as we pulled up to my apartment complex.

“Okay if I stay over? There’s still something I want to talk to you about.”

The soft vulnerability on his face had my heart cratering. His earlier nervousness seemed to be returning. What was so important, that he’d be this concerned?

I nodded, subdued by the rush of possibilities. Dinner had gone well. My chest tightened, my breathing growing restricted, as he followed me inside.

“Do you want something to drink?” I asked.

He swallowed, nodding, and followed me into the kitchen, watching steadily as I poured us each a glass of wine. I tried not to let my hand tremble. As each second ticked off, I felt more vulnerable. What did he have to tell me?

“I’m glad you came with me tonight,” he started.

I forced a smile to my too-tight lips. “Me too,” I said softly.

My pulse raced as I waited for him to say more. He took a quick sip, as if fortifying himself, before his brown eyes met mine.

“Family is important to me. Rosie is important to me. Not just because she’s my niece. She’s also my daughter.”

My mouth formed an O of understanding and he nodded, watching me steadily.

“You and … Kristen?”

My gut swirled. Pretty sure, I still needed to check.

“IVF or …”

His quick chuckle immediately reassured me. “Yes! IVF. We’re close, we’re notthatclose. They considered going the anonymous donor route, but I volunteered.”

“Okay …” I let the word draw out, as I considered my feelings.

Tywouldmake a wonderful father. Because he already was one. I had questions. But watching his expression, poised on the edge between fear and hope, I couldn’t ask any. Not until he understood.

“You’re a great father.”

He swallowed, and I smiled as the hope spread from a spark in his dark eyes to a broad grin.

“It’s not a deal breaker?” the relief in his voice had me shaking my head.

I wasn’t opposed to family, just unsure I wanted to be a parent. After watching my own foist us off on my grandma, I’d decided I’d only have kids if I desperately wanted them and was fully committed to caring for them. Nothing less. I wouldn’t make a child of mine feel unwanted, unloved, while I explored the world. Ty’s situation was altogether different.

He’d been scared to tell me. Afraid I would reject him. For loving his family enough to help it grow. I couldn’t fault him for that. Not when I’d witnessed how deeply he loved Rosie, was there for her.

My love for Ty expanded with every breath, until I was afraid I would burst. He’d trusted me with someone close to his heart. A family secret. Risked rejection, so I’d have all the facts. Did it mean he loved me too? It was on the tip of my tongue to ask. To tell him how I felt.

But at the last moment I bit back the words. The dark voice inside still whisperedtoo soon. Instead, I held my feelings close to my heart, letting them fill me up until the warmth of my love for him shone out of every pore.

Ty’s face lit at my expression, and he pulled me close, smoothing his hands over my shoulders and down my arms until he grasped my hands in his.

“I’m so glad you’re okay with this. I couldn’t imagine telling you, and having it break us. You’re too important to me.”

I wrapped his words around me, using them to soothe the ache for more. For admissions of love. We’d taken a major step today. I’d met his family; Ty had shared his secrets. I could keep my love for him to myself for now; give his time to grow. Rushing wouldn’t make him love me more or any faster. We were on a happy path. One I didn’t want to stumble off of with admissions too early. We had time.

Chapter 16 – Ty