“Deal. But I’m not getting dressed yet.”
“I’m not complaining.”
We lie there in comfortable silence, her head on my chest, both of us still catching our breath.
“Sawyer?”
“Yeah?”
“I really am proud of you. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
“We’ve both worked hard to get here. Six months ago, I thought my career might be over.”
“But it wasn’t. And now look at you.”
“Now look at us.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re getting dressed for dinner, stealing kisses and touches as we put our clothes back on. Everything feels different now—brighter, more hopeful, full of promise.
“Ready?” I ask, straightening my tie.
“Ready,” she says, taking my hand.
As we head out to celebrate my promotion, I can’t help but think that this is just the beginning. The beginning of my new career, the beginning of our life together, the beginning of everything I never knew I wanted.
Alice is coming to Sunday dinner at my mother's. First time as my official girlfriend.
Chapter 43
Alice
Diane'shousesmellslikegarlic and herbs when we walk in. The warmth hits me immediately, cozy and inviting. She comes out of the kitchen wiping her hands on an apron, her face lighting up when she sees us.
“Hey Alice,” she says, pulling me into a hug before Sawyer can even make introductions. The warmth of her embrace catches me off guard. “It’s always nice to see you.”
“It’s so nice to see you as well,” I say.
“I always forget you two already know each other,” Sawyer says, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“How can I ever forget my favorite regular at the Cozy Cup?” Diane jokes.
Dinner is perfect. Diane made Sawyer’s favorite—pot roast with all the fixings—and I fit in like I’ve been coming to these dinners for years. We talk about books, about working with the public, about her plans to expand the coffee shop.
“So Alice,” Diane says over dessert, “What are your intentions with my son?”
I adjust my glasses nervously. His eyes widen.
“Mom!”
“What? It’s a fair question.” She winks at me. “I don’t mean to be direct but Sawyer is my only son and I want to make sure that you guys are on the same page.”
I look at Sawyer, then back at his mother. “I’m planning to stick around for as long as he’ll have me.”
“Good answer,” Sawyer whispers in my ear.
After dinner, we help clean up, then sit in her living room looking through old photo albums. Baby pictures, school photos, pictures of Sawyer in his first police uniform.
“Here’s a good one,” Diane says, pointing to a photo of Sawyer at the police academy graduation. “So proud.”
