Taylor giggles. While I cook our dinner, we lose ourselves in small talk and catching up on all the little things we’ve missed over the years. I tell her about the horrible arranged blind dates my parents like to set my brothers and me up on whenever there’s a family event and she rolls her eyes. She tells me about how her friendship with Ivory and Gabby has evolved over the years and how much of a family they are with Mike, Preston, and Miller. I’ve witnessed it, but to hear her talk about them like they’re the most important people in her life makes me even happier to have had a hand in creating this landing spot for all of them in Nashville in the first place.
“I’m going to tell them about us this week, but I was serious when I said I wanted to tell the girls alone first. It’s only right.”
I freeze, my hand still in the air mid-baste of the steak in the pan in front of me and look back at her. In the elevator earlier this week, I made a joke about whether she was going to tell her friends, but she hasn’t brought it up since then. I understand it’s a big deal for her to break this secret we’ve been keeping and she’s worried how they might react, but I can’t hide the relief pouring through me at knowing she’s all in. That we won’t be a secret much longer.
When I only gape at her, she tilts her head in question. “Is that not okay? If you’re not ready for that or if you don’t think—” I cut her off with a searing kiss, not realizing I was on the move until my lips met hers.
“I’ve been ready. It’s always okay. I would take out an ad in the paper today and tell the world you’re mine. Call every news station and radio and do a whole segment about my love for you. Tell whoever you want, whenever you want, however you want. It won’t change anything, except maybe that I can stop wearing this,” I untuck the chain from my shirt, “around my neck and can put it in its rightful place on my finger.”
“Maybe I can ask Allie to send mine here.”
“What if I got you a new one?”
“I love my original ring.” She may love it still, but when I propose again, I want to do it with something more representative of the people we are now. The new chapter we’re starting and how far we’ve grown both separately and as a couple.
“Maybe we can take a trip to New York and pick it up ourselves.” I move back to the stove to finish the steak and plate our dinner because the last time I brought up going to New York together she shut me down, so I’m nervous to bring it up again.
“Are you a mind reader?” She laughs and gets up to make us both drinks.
“Not that I’m aware of, but in tune with you? I’m hoping so.” I wink at her.
“Very in tune.” Taylor comes up behind me and presses her chest into my back, leaning up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “I was just thinking the other day about all the logistics I’ll need to handle to make Nashville my home base. I’m tired of splitting time between the east and west coast. I want to settle down a bit, with you, with the girls. Being here feels like building a home.”
“Building a home with you is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Me too.”
The logistics can wait. What matters is that for the first time in a long time, we’re fully on the same page with what we want and where our future is headed. It’s with that assurance in my mind and my heart, that we settle onto the blankets outside for dinner and a movie.
My new favorite way to end the week is the perfect date night with my wife. I can’t wait for more nights like this. Nights of taking care of her, making her happy, Taylor invading my space and creating a home that is the perfect blend of us both.
CHASE
Are you both in town?
IVORY
Everything okay?
ME
What’s going on?
CHASE
I really hope she doesn’t get mad at me for this but Gabby needs you.
I start to type out a demand that he tell me what’s wrong, but decide to call instead. He sends me to voicemail. We haven’t talked much the past week, but I assumed it was because she was tied up with Chase and work. Now, I’m kicking myself for not paying more attention.
ME
Answer the phone.
CHASE
I can’t right now. And I won’t betray her confidence by telling you what’s happening but I get the sense that she is going totext you anyway.
IVORY
