She looked up, a blush staining her cheeks. “Sexy blonde? Glad I kept it like this. And anyway, now I live with you, so we can focus on the food. I’m thinking the big shrimp appetizer if you’re up for it. I’msohungry.”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.”
She tilted her head as she met my eyes. “Are you okay? You’re acting a little weird tonight.”
“I’m fine. Some things didn’t work out like I would have liked but, the whole point is to celebrate the best year of my life.” I picked up her hand and laced our fingers together. “Details aren’t important.”
“Best year of my life, too.” She flashed a wide grin. “Living with you hasn’t been as taxing as I would’ve thought.”
I laughed as Thea smirked around her water glass.
“I’m a dream to live with. At least I don’t talk in my sleep.”
“I donottalk in my sleep.”
“Yes, you do. And it’s funny as hell.” I snickered. “I’ll record it next time.”
The waitress came over to take our order, and I had to decide if I wanted to do this now or later.
After the waitress left, Thea averted her gaze a moment before turning back toward me.
“We’ve come a long way in a year. I love every minute of our life. I hope you know that.” Her lips curved in a watery smile.
“So do I,” I whispered. “Even when you say no to sex on the deck. But I think you’ll come around.”
Her eyes widened as she glanced around the room.
“Keep your voice down.”
I scooted closer to the table and leaned in. “You licked my collarbone in the parking lot and almost ripped off my shirt the last time we were here. Why can’t I talk about sex on the deck?”
Her lips pursed as she leaned back in the chair. “I couldn’t help it. I’m a sucker for a black button-down.” She motioned with her chin to the shirt I wore tonight, top button opened on purpose.
“Right, I remember.” I rose from my seat and made my way to her side of the table. “You looked at me like I was on the menu, probably why you don’t remember what you ate.”
“Maybe, I—what are you doing?”
Instead of crouching in front of her like the last time, I sank to one knee and fished the ring box out of my pocket. The same box I’d had for years. I hadn’t given it to her when I’d wanted to, but it had always belonged to her.
“This is why I wanted to be outside.” I felt dozens of eyes on us as I spoke as softly as I could. “But details don’t matter. All I care about is that you’re mine forever. From the second I saw you at the bar, you owned every single part of me. I was right in calling you an angel that night, because that’s exactly what you are.”
Thea said nothing as tears snaked down her cheeks.
“Don’t cry,” I crooned, swiping her tears with my thumbs. “I love you so much. Please marry me, Thea.”
She dug into her purse as I waited for an answer. No didn’t seem like a possibility before but her hesitation made my heart drop into my stomach.
“I have a present, too.” She reached into her purse and handed me an envelope.
Not knowing what to do, I set the ring box on the table and opened the plain white envelope. It looked like an x-ray printout with Thea’s name at the top and an8win the bottom corner.
“It’s a sonogram picture. I see you eyeballing it.” A laugh bubbled out through her tears. “That’s our baby, Dominic.”
“It’s…what?” My hand flew to her stomach. “Is it…?” I pressed on her still flat abdomen, not able to voice the loud question in my head.
“It’s fine. Perfect so far, they said. I had a feeling but was afraid to find out, at first. Then I was afraid to tell you until I saw the doctor after…” She trailed off with a shrug. “That’s my present. I’m sorry I didn’t get a box.”
I grabbed the back of her head and kissed her so hard she almost fell off the chair.
