When Lori opened her eyes, she'd forgotten where she was. She lay on a couch in front of a TV that had been on when she'd fallen asleep, but was now off. A blanket had been spread over her, and when she finally recognized Martie's basement apartment, she realized it was her friend who'd draped her in said blanket. That girl is too sweet for this planet.

With a sigh, Lori got off of the couch. She peeked into Martie's room, and sure enough, found her friend asleep in the bed with the blankets wrapped around her tightly. Almost as if they could provide some form of impenetrable shield to keep her safe. Lori finally understood why Martie acted so skittish. Just thinking about it had her blood boiling all over again. I need coffee before I commit murder. A usual mood for the morning, but her chances of actually committing said murder were much higher now that she had good motivation. All in due time.

For now, she'd settle for a good caffeine boost. She left a note for Martie to let her know, then went upstairs to figure out how to use Gage's coffee maker. Couldn't be that hard, right?

When she tiptoed up the stairs, she expected the kitchen to be empty. She needed it to be empty. Seeing Gage so early in the morning wasn't something she'd prepared for. Luck wasn't on her side, however. Standing over the stove was Gage. In a high chair at the table, Gus inspected a piece of cantaloupe before shoving his fist into his mouth. Before she could sneak back down, Gage glanced over at her.

"Good morning, almost afternoon!"

"Morning," she mumbled. The clock said 10:32. "Apparently I was tired. Or we stayed up too late."

He laughed. "I was surprised to see your car still here."

"Is that going to cause a problem with Martie?"

"Nah." He turned the stove off. "I just sauteed up some meat and veggies for fajitas. There's enough for all of us if you'd like one. It's a little early, I know. Consider it brunch."

Lori gazed about the room and found the coffee pot. "I won't turn down any meal you cook. That being said...I need caffeine."

"So late in the day? After so much sleep?"

"It's hardly late. More importantly, it gives me comfort."

He pointed to a cupboard above the pot. "Everything is in there. It's the same as the one at the cafe."

"Oh good. Nothing fancy. Coffee machines should never be complicated." She walked over and acted like she lived there. After all, he'd invited her to do as she pleased, right? Or had she read that wrong. "Off today?"

"My father comes home from a business trip, and we're having a family meeting tonight." Gage did not sound enthused in the slightest. "Most likely to discuss the next steps of his campaign. We also have dinner for the sake of having dinner. It's not always this intense in my family."

Lori smiled a little. "Sounds nice. My family was never that close." Which would explain a lot about her life choices if she thought about it enough. And that's why I don't psychoanalyze myself too much.

"No?"

She shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"Does having a tight knit family make you nervous? I mean, hypothetically."

What an interesting question. Lori took the moment to finish setting up the pot for brewing. "Like...in someone I'm dating? Does that frighten me away from a man?"

"Y-yeah." Gage coughed. "Yes, that's what I'm getting at."

"No," she said, and was surprised to find it the honest truth. "My situation at home was not the norm. It'd be silly of me to think that a man should give up his family for a woman."

He set the plates on the table then added some of the food from his to Gus' highchair table. The baby greedily grabbed at it and immediately shoved it into his mouth. "You'd think it wouldn't be a turn off, but I'm always surprised by the things that make women insecure. Family is one of them. Especially a kid."

And a dead wife to compete with. Good thing Lori didn't get insecure often. "If the feelings are true, circumstances shouldn't matter. You choose what you want to fight for."

"Good point," he said. "What if my circumstances got really crazy? I mean, I'm a dad, the son of a politician, and...and Touched."

"You're also Gage," she pointed out. "I happen to think that's the best part of you."

"Worth fighting for?"

She swallowed and with a shaking hand poured herself a cup of coffee. "What are you getting at?"

"This wasn't how I wanted to have this conversation," he admitted. Her back was turned to him, and she was glad she couldn't see his face. More importantly, she was glad he couldn't see hers.

"The can of worms has been opened. I don't think we can close it," she said and took an extra long time to doctor up her drink. "Might as well continue. I'm intrigued."

He chuckled, and she realized he'd moved behind her. So close. The warmth of his body radiated against her back. She saw his hands hovering over her arms.

"So tough," he murmured. "Always so strong."

She spun to face him, determined to show him just how tough she could be, and immediately she was gazing up into his dark eyes. Maybe this was a bad idea. "If you're going the long way to say you think about kissing me, it's okay to just do it. I won't stop you."

"I figured you'd say that," he whispered. "But I can't. I need to follow the rules. Not just because of my father, but because of Gus." He swallowed. "You're familiar with the courtship protocols, yes? Or...did you stumble upon my kind by accident?"

Lori thought about lying. The depth of his vulnerability urged her to speak the truth. "I've been through the courtship ritual before."

"Oh." Genuine surprise appeared in his voice. She scowled, and he shook his head. "Please, don't take that the wrong way. It's just that..."

"I smell muddy?" She tried to keep the disappointment to herself. Of course he'd care about that. So old fashioned.

He bit his lip, and lowered his gaze. "I'm not judging you, Lori. All I care about is that we're on the same page with what to do about us. Because I can't deny that there's something between us anymore. What I don't know is if we want the same thing."

I want you. Oh, she wanted him badly. In any way she could have him. Pretty sure he won't be interested in spending the night with me anytime soon. Not if he couldn't even kiss her. According to the courtship ritual, that was a proposal of marriage. It's clear he wants to do things by the book.

Gage swallowed, his body going stiff. "Do we even want the same thing? Am I reading into our interactions too much? I thought I smelled—"

"Stop." She placed a finger to his lips. "The attraction we have for one another is obvious. I haven't been trying to hide that. You're also a pretty cool guy." She winked. "Personality and brains wins you a few extra points."

"Only a few, right?" He snickered.

Lori indicated an inch with two of her fingers. "Small, but still mighty. Puts you above Average Joe."

"I'll take it!"

Laughing together felt good. Eventually, it subsided, and Lori took in a slow breath. "All joking aside, I've done the courtship ritual. I almost made it to the wedding. Things fell apart, then got dramatic." She felt tears pooling in her eyes, and she couldn't remember the last time she felt so weak. Gage had a way of taking down her walls. "Not all of us get a 'happily ever after' for obeying the rules."

He brushed the tears from her skin before they started to fall down her cheeks. "They're rules I have to obey, though."

"And I understand the reasons," she whispered.

"Just wanting to give it a try is a big step for me," he added. "And if you're not okay with it, if that goes against what you believe, then—"

She put her finger over his lips again. "Gage! Breathe!" She took in a slow breath, motioning for him to do the same. After a few, he obliged. "I understand, and you're not wrong." It's just not my style. "Full disclosure, the reason I smell muddy to you now is because I did everything I could to erase that first guy from my life. I needed him gone. Out of my head. You know?"

"Not from experience, but I understand it. That psychic bond that comes with—"

"Sex," she said. "Let's not use a fancy term, please."

Gage glanced over at Gus. "Fine." Then he whispered, "sex," before he spoke louder, "is very intense."

"Yes." Lori had to smother a laugh. It's not like the baby understood what they were talking about. "And that's my love life synopsis. That's the kind of woman I am. Make sure you know what you're getting into."

"I'm still not judging you," he said. "Sometimes our hurt is too great to handle, and finding a healthy answer is near impossible. Because nothing feels like it'll ever make the pain better. What matters is this moment now, not the past."

Such a pure heart. A heart she wasn't sure she deserved. When she gazed up at his face, got lost in his smile, a part of her also thought the wrong thing: I'm in. He sees me as trustworthy. She raked her lower lip between her teeth and grabbed his hands with her own. I bet I can make a lot of progress for the cause. Not for Frank. For the betterment of all dragon-kind.

Surely, Gage would be on board with that?

His smile widened and he stared at their hands clasped together. "You're in?"

"I'm in. I want to give it a try," she said. I can have both. The man and the future.

I'm not using him.

It didn't feel like a total lie, but it didn't feel like the whole truth, either.