“What if you get bored or annoyed with her?”
“It’s hard to get bored when she’s a never-ending source of laughter and finds joy in every scenario. Hell, she made a once-in-a-lifetime blizzard fun.” I stared over at the table, and my chest tightened as I watched Becca flail her hands while talking with an older gentleman. He was as smitten as I was, and I patted her dad on the back. “I’m going to sit with my date before this guy charms her. It’ll take time, but I’ll prove it to you that I am enough for her.”
“I look forward to it.” He smiled and held up his drink as I gave him one last look. I hadn’t planned on promising a proposal to her father when I’d agreed to be her date, but as soon as I said it, I knew it was the truth.
I’d give her one year to get used to the two of us, and then I’d do everything I could to ensure that she’d be with me forever. Keeping my gaze on Becca, I headed back toward the table where she waited with wide eyes.
“How did it go? Was he nice? Did he threaten you? He’s a mild-mannered guy who wouldn’t harm a fly. What did he say?”
I took her hand and kissed her palm before putting my arm around her. “He’s a good father.”
“Okay, that answers nothing.” She ran a hand through her silky hair and pointed at her dad as he approached the table. “Behave, Father.”
“I plan to.” The man tipped his glass to me before joining his wife. Whatever storm was in his eyes before had lifted, and before I knew it, I found myself enjoying the evening.
We dined on steak and potatoes—my literal favorite substances on earth—and Becca lit up the table with her unique charm. She told stories about the girls in the house and rested her head on my shoulder.
At one point, she placed her small hand on my thigh and squeezed. “I’m so glad you’re here. This has been just the best… everything.”
“Me too.” I placed my hands on hers and did something I hadn’t done in years. “Would you care to dance?”
“You don’t strike me as a dancing type of guy.”
“If I get to keep my hands on you, I’m in.” I stood, offered her my hand, and steered us toward the dance floor. Appreciating the blush covering Becca’s neck and cheeks, I pulled her against me. The band played an instrumental version of a slow pop song I couldn’t name to save my life. My breath caught in my throat when she rested her forehead against my chin, and we swayed slowly like we had all the time in the world. She hummed to the music, totally off-key, and I simply enjoyed the moment and the new feelings going through me.
Content.
Peace.
Happy.
It didn’t matter I had texts from my brother bragging about his win, or the guilt-inducing texts from my mother trying to make me feel bad.
I had Becca, and Blair, and now the team. The future wasn’t as dark and negative as it had been two weeks ago.
I pressed a kiss to Becca’s temple and almost confessed everything. “I gotta say, I’ve never been happier that your window broke and you ended up on my porch.”
She giggled. “I busted my butt on your porch.”
“You were cute.”
“Awkward.” She rolled her eyes and poked my side. “Then you saw me passed out in my bra.”
“That’s what did it. The bra and blood.”
“You’re so charming.” She pretended to faint. I laughed, pulling her closer to me. “I’m so happy with you.”
That did it. I cupped her chin with one hand and kissed her. “I love you, Becca. I know it’s only been a couple weeks, but I know what love is and what it can do for two people. You’ve infiltrated every single thought I have, and I want to do life with you.”
Her eyes turned the size of dinner plates, and her bottom lip trembled as the silence between us grew. She blinked, and her expression turned worried. I dropped another kiss on her. “There’s no pressure to say it back. I wanted to tell you because it’s the truth, and it’s how I feel. I know you feel something for me, and when you’re ready, you can tell me, too.”
Her eyes glistened. “Awful confident I’ll return the sentiment, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” I trailed my fingers down her arm and enjoyed the way goose bumps broke out on her skin. “I know you and your weaknesses. I’ll tear down those walls.”
“I like a man with a plan.”
“I’ll start with your hobbies and mismatched colors. Then I’ll supply you with every brand of hot chocolate you can imagine. I’ll bribe every one of the girls in your house to leave you crazy flowers, and most importantly, I will take you to Barcelona. I can’t imagine anything better than experiencing something with you that you’ve dreamed about for years.”
