“I think so too. They mentioned dinner with your family to celebrate our engagement since everyone will be in town.”
“Like a mini engagement party?”
“Yeah.”
“That sounds perfect.”
My heart expands in my chest, and happiness settles over me. The past year with Everett has been pure magic. Everything in life feels more settled with him by my side, and while I have everything I could ever want with him, Mac, and our families, I still find myself missing the people we left behind in Sugarplum Park.
“I’m really happy I get to marry you again,” I say, glancing in his direction.
“You have no idea, Sugar.”
He bends down, placing a kiss on the top of my head at the same time someone bumps into my shoulder. Turning my head, I catch a flash of pink in my periphery, but when I look behind me, there’s no one around.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Oh…yeah. I could’ve sworn I just saw…”
“Saw what?”
“Stella.” I laugh.
Whipping his head around, his eyebrows raise. “Really? Where?”
“I think sometimes I want to see her, but I haven’t since we got back. It was nothing, probably just my eyes playing tricks on me or something. I’m tired.”
“Want to get some cof?—”
“Mac!” I yell, tightening my grip as he jolts forward, straining on the leash and almost pulling me over. He continues to tug, causing me to lunge forward again and the leash to fly out of my hand.
“Fuck!” Everett shouts as we both break into a sprint to chase him.
“Mac! Stop, boy!” My heart rate climbs and the cold air burns my lungs as we zigzag around the holiday shoppers.
“Where the hell is he going?” Everett asks.
“You’re guess is as good as mine.”
We all weave in and out of the people passing by, none of them attempting to help us catch him despite our calls for help.
“This is why I wanted the rottweiler,” Everett shouts, breathing heavy.
“Don’t start. You love him,” I say.
“Mac!” Everett yells, but he continues to move. “I tolerate him. Love is a very strong word.”
I look over at him and roll my eyes.
“Says the man who was curled up on the couch with him last night watchingHome Alone.”
“Ha!”
“Fuck, where did he go?” I ask, my eyes shifting back in front ofus, but I can’t find Mac—just a large group of people. My stomach knots, and my heart pounds faster. If we lose this dog, I’ll never forgive myself.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
“He was just up ahead,” Everett says, his voice sounding a little more panicked as his eyes scan the street.
