First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 60

  I tug on a pair of worn joggers and my favorite faded tee after stepping out of the shower, my hair damp and messy. Dani walks into her bedroom humming softly as she looks around, then without hesitation, she grabs one of my shirts too, the oversized gray one with the frayed collar and pulls it over her head. It falls to mid-thigh on her, making her look both ridiculously cute and impossibly sexy all at once. She pairs it with some leggings before turning to me with a little grin.

  "That one looks good on you," I murmur, hands finding her hips as she steps close.

  "Mm, that's what you say about all your shirts," she teases before brushing a kiss across my cheek.

  We wander to the kitchen together, her bare feet padding across the hardwood while I trail after her like a lovesick fool. Every part of me feels lighter this morning, like whatever weight kept me grounded before has disappeared.

  The house is quiet except for the occasional clink of mugs as Dani reaches up to grab them. I let my eyes trail her from head to toe and seeing her in my clothes tugs a satisfied smile from me. It's like she's claimed some small part of me already, like we fit together.

  "You want coffee too?" Dani asks over her shoulder as she sets the mugs down and puts a k-cup in the Keurig.

  "Always," I reply, leaning against the counter, hands tucked into the pockets of my sweats as I watch her move around the kitchen with a happy, peaceful look on her face.

  As we wait for our coffee to finish, we move around each other easily as we whip up a quick breakfast of toast, eggs, and fruit. Every now and then, Dani's arm brushes mine, or she flashes me one of those soft grins, and my chest feels stupidly warm.

  While waiting on the toast, I grab my coffee and take a sip while watching Dani. She glances up at me, expression bright but a touch nervous. "Hey... I was thinking." Her fingers trace the rim of her mug before picking it up. "Maybe you could start bringing some of your stuff over? Before KK gets dropped off this afternoon?"

  I feel my heart kick up, hands tightening around my coffee mug. "Yeah?" I fight the grin tugging at my mouth.

  "Yeah." Dani tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her voice casual but eyes hopeful. "I mean, I know we had already talked about you moving in and I want you here. More here, now." She looks down into her cup like she's already halfway embarrassed.

  That does me in. I set my mug down and step in close, arms slipping around her waist. "I'd like that," I say, voice low, forehead brushing hers. "More than you know."

  Dani exhales, melting into me like she'd been holding her breath. "Good," she murmurs against my lips before we kiss, slow and easy until we have to remind ourselves there's breakfast to eat.

  Teasingly I look at Dani, "are you sure that you want my stuff all up in your space?"

  Her eyes soften as she reaches for my hand. "I want you all up in my space."

  We finally sit at the kitchen table, knees touching as we eat, but my food's gone cold before I'm halfway done. I'm too wired, too happy to concentrate. Every time Dani looks at me, my thoughts jump ahead to what we could do next. I want to run across the yard and come back with my arms full of my things, to make this home hers and mine in a way that feels real.

  When we finish, Dani leans back with a satisfied sigh, hands on her little baby bump and it's so cute. "You're fidgeting," she says with a knowing smirk.

  "Can't help it," I admit, chuckling. "I just want to go next door and start hauling stuff over already." I can't hide my excitement, it buzzes under my skin.

  Dani laughs, pushing her chair back. "Then let's do it. Let's go."

  We clean up from breakfast then slip on our shoes. As we walk next door to my house, my hand in hers, my pulse is thrumming with the kind of giddy energy I thought I'd forgotten.

  When we step inside my house, the familiar scent of my moms' coffee greets us before we even make it to the living room. They're both curled up together on the couch like they always do, moms arm draped over mamas shoulders, their mugs steaming in their hands.

  Mama looks up first, eyes going straight to Dani with a smile that crinkles her eyes. "Well, someone looks like they're glowing this morning," mama says warmly. Mom looks up too, her gaze shifting between us, grin knowing.

  "You both do," she adds, reaching for moms hand like she knows exactly what she's seeing.

  Dani squeezes my fingers and I glance at her, my own lips curving into a smile. She's leaning into me just a little, and there's this softness about her, this lightness that hasn't been there in a while. My chest feels like it's going to burst just seeing it.

  "What are you two up to today?" Mom asks as she sets her mug on the end table.

  "Moving some of my stuff over to Dani's," I answer before I can stop myself from grinning too big. "Figured I'd get some of it done before KK gets back home this afternoon."

  Mama's smile grows even softer. "Sounds like you're making yourselves at home," she says, her voice full of easy pride.

  Mom leans back into Mama's side, their hands tangling comfortably as they look between us. Mama takes a slow sip of her coffee, eyes twinkling as if she's putting together all the pieces. "That's a big step," she says gently. "Moving your stuff over but it feels right."

  "Doesn't it?" Dani agrees softly, leaning into me just a bit more.

  "Definitely," Mom replies. "It's written all over you two. The way you look at each other." She picks her mug up and smiles warmly. "And Taytum? You haven't stopped grinning since you walked in the door."

  That earns a light laugh from me, one that I can't help. "Guess I'm a little obvious," I say, rubbing my thumb over the back of Dani's hand.

  "You always have been," Mama teases, voice affectionate. "When you care about someone, your whole face gives you away." Her gaze drifts to Dani, warm and motherly. "And you bring out something real good in our girl, Dani. We're so glad you're here."

  That one hits me right in the chest. Dani's cheeks flush, and I feel her fingers flex around mine. "That means a lot," Dani murmurs. "And I feel the same. Being here feels... like home also."

  "That's exactly what we hoped," Mom says, smiling at us. "You two take your time. Get settled. There's no rush except your own."

  Dani looks up at me, eyes bright and a little misty, and my heart swells at how natural this all feels. Mama leans forward and says, "And don't hesitate to holler if you need help carrying anything. You know we're right here."

  "Thanks, mama," I say, voice warm. "We probably will. Maybe not today but we probably will when I get the rest of my stuff."

  "Oh absolutely," Dani agrees with a playful nudge of my hip. "It's probably mostly clothes today and any other important stuff."

  "You mean my journals and cameras," I say, laughing.

  "Especially those," Dani replies, leaning up to kiss my cheek. "And maybe a few shirts I can steal."

  My parents exchange a glance that's all fondness and quiet joy. "That," mama says, "sounds like a perfect plan."

  We stand there for a little longer, wrapped up in this warm, easy feeling that settles over the four of us like a gentle hug. Finally, Dani squeezes my hand and tips her chin toward the hall. "Come on," she says softly. "Let's go gather some of your stuff." I follow without hesitation, my heart feeling like it's already where it belongs.