“She had her share of challenges, but she had a good heart,” I said, wishing my mom could’ve known Mags as my girlfriend and wife instead of just as her employer’s daughter. I turned her to face me, pulled her into my arms again, and kissed her slowly, thoroughly, the kind of tongue kiss that would have my daughter yelling gross!
When we came up for air, I said, “I have another big question for you.”
“Nothing could be as big as this.” She held the ring up again, as if checking to make sure it was really there.
“What do you think about moving in?”
“Here?”
I chuckled. “Your apartment is cute and all, but I don’t think it’d fit both of us, let alone my kid and my dad.”
“Before the wedding, you mean?”
“Hell, tomorrow if you can make it work.”
“Really? You think Addie would understand?”
“We’re committed. You’re going to be my wife.”
She closed her eyes and smiled, as if savoring that idea. I sure as hell was.
“And your dad?” she asked.
“Already talked to him. He’s all for it. We’ve got years to make up for, Mags. I want to be with you as much as possible. I want you in my bed every night, your toes curling, your head buried in your pillow to keep from screaming my name too loud.”
She kissed me then looked me in the eye. “It’s another yes from me, Luke. I want that too.”
“I just realized the flaw in my plan,” I said. “I’m dying to whisk you away to my bed right now and spend the next twelve hours making love to you.”
“Mmm, that sounds amazing…and impossible.”
“Yep. Dammit.”
“It just means it’ll be extra sweet when we finally get there later.”
“I hope you’re not planning to get a lot of sleep tonight.”
“I’m hoping you won’t let me.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
We kissed again, with Addie and my dad talking to Jessie in the background.
Magnolia ended the kiss, took my hand, and pulled me to the sofa. “I actually have one more surprise for you.”
“You gave me my gifts last night,” I said.
“This one isn’t Christmas-specific, and it’s not entirely for you.”
She picked up her phone from the table, unlocked it, and swiped several times, then showed me a photo of some kind of document.
“What’s this?” I asked, trying to puzzle it out.
“I sold the emerald ring.”
“The heart ring?” I asked.
“The very one my mother stole and returned.”
