Tessa propped her bike against a tree and pulled her helmet from her head. Zane followed behind her and did the same. They locked their bikes to a tree and took a seat on a bench. It was shady here but relatively warm for a March morning.
She and Zane had been on a mission to ride every bike trail in the greater DC area. While there were quite a few to choose from, her desire to decorate Zane’s home, along with competing work schedules and winter weather, had conspired against them. Today was only their third ride since she’d moved to DC four months earlier.
As far as Tessa was concerned, it had all been worth it. After months of sporadic purchases and random evenings spent painting and decorating, Zane’s house was finally ready for visitors. The living area was warm and inviting. The kitchen was a showstopper. Even the bathrooms reflected Zane’s personality. And maybe a little bit of hers as well. It couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t ever going to decorate a room and not throw in some pops of color, and Zane had said for her to do whatever she wanted. So she had.
Tessa had moved in with Emily Dixon, but now that Emily was married to Liam, Emily’s apartment was Tessa’s. And now that she had Zane’s place set up, it was time to turn her attention to her own place. Especially since she planned to be here for a long while. She loved DC, but the truth was that it had absolutely nothing to do with DC and everything to do with the man who made living here worthwhile.
She missed her Raleigh friends so much it was a kick to the gut every time she thought of them. But the past four months had been a revelation when it came to Zane. Their relationship had been rock-solid, their friendship secure, long before they took things to the next level. Now? She had no idea how she’d ever done life without him. They talked every morning while they were getting ready. Texted throughout the day. Spent most evenings together. Fought a little, laughed a lot.
She was happy at a level she’d honestly never allowed herself to dream was possible. She hoped her dad could see her. Hoped he knew she’d fought her battles, faced her demons, and come out the other side bloody and weary but whole and able to love fully and without fear.
“Tess?” Zane tucked her against his body, his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, her head on his chest. “Do you know what today is?”
Tessa shook her head. “Tuesday?”
He pretended to growl at her. “Other than that?”
“I have no idea.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
Her mind raced. What was significant about this day?
“Stumped?” He looked pleased with himself.
“Yes.”
“This is the six-month anniversary of our first kiss.”
“Is it really?”
“It is. And I was thinking that a day like this should be commemorated.”
“We did commemorate it. We went on a ride. Maybe we should do that every year on the six-month anniversary of our first kiss.”
Zane didn’t seem impressed with her idea. “Yeah. Maybe.”
“Okay.” She drew out the word. “What did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking of something a little bit... bigger.” Between one heartbeat and the next, a beautiful princess-cut diamond appeared between his fingers. “Will you marry me?”
Part of her brain registered the sparkle of the diamond and the question he had asked, but the rest of her brain functions had focused all their attention on keeping her breathing. It took a few seconds for her to successfully form words. Well, one word. “Yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger. “Look at that. A perfect fit.” He leaned toward her. “I want to get married today.”
She almost choked. “I don’t think that’s legal.”
“Tomorrow?”
Tessa grinned. “What about next weekend?”
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
Tessa checked her watch for the fiftieth time.
Zane had been gone for ten days, but he would be home any minute now.
She took in the room. When she was done with it, it would be perfect. But this was a good start.
