Page 121 of Timelessly Ours

“What…will you tell her?”

That you’re madly in love with me? That you want us to be a family?

Is this where I can finally tell him how my feelings have grown to something that feels…permanent?

“That we’re together. That you’ll be staying a while. That we may have another sitter some nights because I want to take you out.”

My heart breaks a little. I blink down and shift back to resting my head on his shoulder. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Because…it’s not a good idea. Let’s just not. Not yet.” I try not to sound disappointed. It’s okay that he doesn’t use words of promise and forever the way I only dream of.

I’m not his forever.

But maybe…I can be.

Maybe after I prove I can be a better person. Prove I can be normal.

Pamela keeps dropping the word closure at our sessions. That if I find a way to do that with everyone who has wronged me…it can set me free.

Silently, I make a decision. I’ll build up the courage to find that closure soon. Then maybe after I do, I’ll feel confident enough to tell him…I want more.

He bends to kiss me again. “Okay. We’ll wait.”

32

“Rory, you’re going to be late. Come on.” I call the girl down for the third time this morning. It’s the first day of December, which means Christmas shopping is underway.

This never used to be a happy holiday for me.

Or Nick for that matter. But we’ve somehow always made it special for each other. Either with a dollar store card and a chocolate-shaped Santa or just spending Christmas Eve at Jace and Cora’s house, since their dad was always welcoming.

Cora was a kid then. One a troubled teen like myself wanted nothing to do with—but I’m so grateful for her now. And sure…even Jace.

Now I feel like I have a real home. I’m still not sure where this is going with Royce, but for now, we’re happy not knowing.

I love him.

So much that it hurts.

Since telling me he’s falling for me at the gala, which I’m still convinced was out of the heat of the moment, he hasn’t said anything like that again.

But he’s made me feel his affection.

When we’re alone, when we’re in public, when he never lets me slip into sleep without holding me. The constant text messaging throughout the day.

The stolen glances that brought us to where we are.

I love us.

I want to tell him. There’s nothing wrong with being the first one to say it, is there?

“I guess we’ll find out,” I tell Rover as I kneel to pet my newest best friend.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Rory shows up, fully dressed with her backpack on.

“Finally. Okay, I’ve packed your breakfast to go, you’ll eat in the car. Let’s move.”