With no one else waiting in line, I linger in the lavish kiss, hearing a fewawwsfrom nearby patrons.
“Thank you, but the anniversary isn’t for three more days.”
“Sure, for your Cafe, but today is our one-month anniversary.” He presents a slim box that looks like an LP record he’d been holding behind his back.
“Oh, Gavin, this is so sweet. You didn’t have to.”
“Wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t want to.” He winks, making me chuckle.
I take the box and set it down to remove the bow and open the lid. I pull open tissue paper to reveal a photograph in a wooden frame with elaborate scrollwork. The picture is of us when we, along with Jace, had hiked back to the cabin, returning the blankets and leaving more supplies that would keep for others to use if needed. We’d gone to the lookout again, and when Gavin and I made it to the top, Jace had obviously taken a picture of us from behind, our arms wrapped around one another. There was a rainbow in the clouds that produced a lovely image.
Tears mist my eyes as I look up at Gavin. “This is beautiful,” I whisper.
His expression softens. “Not as beautiful as you, but yeah, makes a pretty picture, huh? Jace made the frame. One of his hobbies.”
“Oh, that makes it even more special.” I set the picture back in the box and rush around the counter, into Gavin’s awaiting arms. “Ti amo, my lumberjack, my alpha hero,il mio tutto.”
Gavin pulls back with awe in his eyes. “You love me?”
I nod, grinning like a fool.
He frames my face and kisses me hard. “I love you too. God, do I love you. I didn’t want to rush, didn’t want you to think it was too soon.”
I shake my head. “It’s not too soon, and it’s not rushed. When you know, you know. There’s no one I’d rather have in my life and in my future. Just you, Gavin Driscoll.”
“And what was that last thing you said? Il mio tutto?”
“My everything. You’re my everything,” I say against his lips before kissing him.
Gavin releases my face and wraps his arms around me, lifting me up and spinning me around while whooping with joy. As thepatrons start clapping, I throw my head back and laugh, joining in Gavin’s joy because it’s mine too.
The door chimes indicating others are entering, and I catch a glimpse of my friends, Remi, Ronni, and Dustin.
“Whoa, what’s happening here?” Dustin asks.
Gavin comes to a stop, still holding me in his arms. “She loves me,” he says. “And I love her.”
The girls practically swoon and Dustin smiles. “Congratulazioni.”
Gavin sets me on my feet, taking ahold of my hand as I say, “Grazie, amico mio.”
“I’m really going to have to brush up on my Italian,” Gavin says, earning laughs.
“Come, let’s get you all the special of the day.” I lead Gavin and the others to a table before heading back to the counter. Deedee is there, looking at the picture.
“This is gorgeous,” she says.
“Isn’t it? I can’t wait to hang it up at my place.” I lean closer to whisper to her. “I got a key for Gavin and planned to ask him to move in with me.”
Deedee squeals, causing everyone to look at her. “Lovely, photograph, Gavin, just lovely,” she says as if to explain her excitement. She then looks at me and giggles. “Okay, today’s specials, coming up.”
As she starts on the orders, more patrons come in, and I assist them, keeping busy for several moments. When drinks and treats are ready for Gavin and the group, I load them on a tray and take them over. Gavin’s chatting with everyone since he’s already comfortable with them, having met my friends shortly after my trip to Pine Valley.
“Order up,i miei amici.”
“That means, my friends,” Ronni says, looking at Gavin.
“Can you join us?” Remi asks.
