Acceptance, The by Bernadette Marie Page A

each other they could see where things went between them.
    He let out a deep breath. There was something inside of him that made him think there just might be something between them.
     
    At six o’clock Tyler rang the bell at Courtney’s door. He stood there and wondered if she was even home. He was just about to ring it again when she opened the door.
    “I was afraid you weren’t home.”
    She smiled easily at his voice. “I guess I fell asleep. I was a little tired after staying up all night and then putting up with my mother today.”
    “Is everything okay?”
    “Do you have wine at your house?”
    “Yes.”
    “Let’s talk about it over wine.” She smiled sweetly. “Let me get my purse.”
    Courtney stepped back into the house and a moment later came to the door with her purse on her shoulder. She shut the door, locked it, and then held out her hand to reach for his arm.
    Tyler moved next to her, but she stopped from taking his arm and instead rested her hand on his shoulder and turned him toward her.
    Her other hand came up to his face and her thumb grazed over his lip. “You shaved.”
    “I did. The grizzly look is not good on me.”
    “I’ll bet you’re just as handsome either way.”
    “Thank you.”
    Courtney stepped in closer to him. “Would you mind if I test it out?”
    “It?”
    She laughed as she pulled his face closer to hers. “Your smooth cheek.” She rested her cheek against his and his eyes drifted closed in anticipation. “Very nice.”
    Courtney’s other hand came to his other cheek and she guided his lips to hers where she pressed a warm kiss to them. But she didn’t back away. She stepped in until his only choice was to wrap his arms around her and hold her as much for balance as need to be near her.
    Courtney opened her mouth to him and he took it. Her hands slid around his neck, entangled in his hair, and sent pulses of energy through his body.
    As she pulled back he could still sense the tension in her. Her mother must have upset her quite a bit, not to mention he was sure she was beginning to miss her brother. That would only prove to grow deeper for a while, he assumed. He’d never lost anyone he was close to. His grandfather, whom he was named after, had passed years before he’d been born. But he remembered his mother talking about the depression his father had gone into.
    He could offer her company and compassion. Surely that would be enough for now.
     
    Courtney had longed for this moment since she’d awakened next to him on the couch. Her mother’s visit had put her in a less than sunny mood. She couldn’t blame her for being the way she was, Courtney knew that. But she figured they’d butt heads a few more times before they’d each healed from Fitz’s death.
    Tyler was here now. She embraced the thought. He’d come to pick her up for dinner.
    She took his arm and he led her to the curb where his car was parked.
    “Where are you taking me?” She asked as she climbed into the car.
    “Home.”
    Courtney hesitated for a moment. “Home?”
    “I’m cooking for you.”
    A hundred different feelings burst inside of her like a bomb being detonated full of emotions.
    “You’re cooking me dinner?”
    “I’ve been on the move for nearly three years. I haven’t called anywhere home in that long either. I just feel like being home. Cooking a decent meal—I hope. And being with a woman that fascinates me.”
    She could feel those doubtful emotions begin to fizzle out and warmth began to surge through her. “ I fascinate you?”
    “In a million ways. Maybe I can share that with you tonight. I have a lot to talk about. I’ve had a wonderful day.”
    Courtney locked her seatbelt in place and Tyler closed the door. She wondered what had gone on in his day that could have made him so chipper. Hopefully she wouldn’t dull his mood.
    He had the radio on and it kicked into song when he started the car. Luke Bryan sang about playing a song again and again because a