But nice, with a capital ‘N’.
“Garrison is going to lose his mind.”Anastasia winks.“And my work here is done.”She stands.“Have a great time, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and best of all, enjoy being in love with a wonderful, strong, amazing man who would do anything for you.”
“Thank you so much, Anastasia.”
She pulls me in for a hug.“Anytime, honey.Have fun.Need me to run Thomas over to Weston’s?”
The two bonded during the attack that nearly claimed my son and Kyle.So much so that he’s been spending at least three days a week helping Weston on the ranch he works at.
“That would actually be great, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
I step out into the hall after her.“Hey, honey, Miss Knox is going to take you out to Weston’s.Is that okay?”
“Sure thing!”Thomas sets his controller down, then turns.His eyes widen when he sees me.“Wow, Mom!You look beautiful!”
My eyes fill.“Thanks, baby.”
“Seriously.So pretty.I hope you guys have fun tonight.”
“You, too.No junk food before dinner.”
“Mom, I don’t even think Weston knows what junk food is.”
“It’s true,” Anastasia confirms.
I laugh.“Still.”
“All right, come on, kid.Let’s get out of here before your mom’s big date.”Anastasia winks at me as Thomas jumps over the back of the couch and pulls me in for a big hug.At almost fourteen, he’s nearly as tall as I am already, but he’ll always be my baby.
My sweet, wonderful boy.
We’ve talked a lot over the last month.About Victor and Earnest, and why things were so rough for us for so long.While I didn’t go into the details, he handled everything I did tell him with incredible maturity.
It lifted yet another weight from me.
“I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”Thomas pulls away and grabs his bag, then bounds out the door before Anastasia.I’m just heading toward the bedroom again when it opens.
“Did you forge—” But I stop mid-sentence when I turn around and see Garrison standing there in the doorway—staring at me as though I’m the single most important thing in the world.
“Wow,” he whispers.“You look amazing.”
I study his dark jeans and a button-down nearly the same shade as my dress.He’s wearing a pair of boots and has styled his hair.“You look amazing, too.”Attraction burns in my belly, a warmth that spreads through me as I look at him.
Oh boy.
“I’m starting to think that I’m underdressed.”He crosses over toward me, closing the distance in long, easy strides, until he’s standing only a few inches away.
I rest my hand on his chest and look up into those gorgeous eyes, so full of joy.Of love.
“You’re perfect.”
He leans down and captures my lips with his.A gentle kiss that stokes the fire that’s been burning within me for far longer than I want to admit.
“I wanted to wait, but—” He trails off and reaches into his pocket.When he withdraws a small velvet box, my heart begins to hammer.And when he drops to one knee, the world around me tilts on its axis, spinning wildly out of control in the best way.