Page 8 of Wood Lessons

PETER

“Y ou done?” I knot the towel around my waist and enfold her into my arms as she nods. Vulnerability veils her brown eyes, and tenderness softens my own gaze. “Good. To your points: this is not a fling, and I meant what I said.”

Swaying closer, a brilliant smile transforms her face. “Glad to hear we’re on the same page... Though, I feel like I shouldn’t be this content with how long we’ve known each other.”

“The good news is we don’t need to follow anyone else’s timeline. If we’re happy, that’s all that matters.” I drop a brief kiss on the tip of her nose. “And I, for one, am extremely fucking happy.”

More than I thought possible.

“Alright. Yes. Me, too.” She stutters staccato sentences before chuckling. “Sorry...we just had this serious DTR conversation, and my mind’s kind of reeling.”

“DTR?” I wrack my brain for what the acronym stands for as I lead her to the bedroom, and we sit on the edge of the bed.

“Define the relationship. Don’t worry, I didn’t know what it meant before I joined a dating relationship group.”

“You’re going to explain that to me later, but for now, why don’t we discuss our terms.” Going all in, what I really want from her spills out. “Marriage. A family.”

“Not all today, I hope.” She bumps my shoulder playfully. “But I can get on board with that future. If you haven’t noticed, I’m all about rolling with whatever comes my way these days.”

“Have I mentioned how glad I am that you've made that decision. I know it hasn’t been easy for you.” Anna’s commitment to changing her life inspires me and allows my own dreams to be voiced—to possibly be realized.

One was already coming true by finding a woman like Anna. Sweet, curvy, and smart, and she just fell into my lap by chance.

Thank god she did.

“You made it easier. In a way, you’re kind of my reward,” she whispers, reaching for my hand and kissing the back of it.

“Funny; I’d say it was the other way around.” Lowering my head, our mouths meet in a gentle kiss as we fall back to the mattress. No more words were needed, just me loving my woman.