“They got married young,” I explain. “He was nineteen, and she’d just turned eighteen. High school sweethearts.”
She grins, and my worry fades. “That’s awesome. And yes, I’d love to come.”
I sigh. “Good. It’s still a few weeks away. They got married on Valentine’s Day, but we’re celebrating the night before, so it doesn’t interfere with the holiday.”
Maggie’s smile widens. “Your parents got married on Valentine’s Day?”
I shrug. “What can I say? They’re true romantics.” I glance down at my board game, thumbing the character card before looking back to her.
“You know,” she says softly, “I’ve never had a date on Valentine’s Day before.”
I lift a brow. What kind of idiots has she been dating? “You haven’t?”
She shakes her head. “I guess I was never dating anyone seriously when it came around each year. Seems like it’s kind of reserved for, like, couples, you know, that areofficial.”
“Hmm.” I nod. “What would the perfect Valentine’s date look like to you?”
“I always thought it’d be fun to go on one of those romantic dinner cruises on Valentine’s. Spend the evening on a luxury ship on the water—fine food, a little music, and dancing. Plus, you get to dress up, which is kind of fun to do once in a while, I think.”
She holds my gaze, those hazel eyes melting new parts of me. “Sounds perfect,” I say, yet before the game starts, I speak up once more. “Maggie?”
She glances back up. “Yes?”
“Will you be my Valentine's date this year? I promise to make it a night to remember.”
She grins and bites her lip, a rather adorable gesture I’ve noticed a handful of times now.
“Definitely.” She nods, and her cheeks flush pink. “I can’t wait.”
I grin in reply, unable to resist leaning across the boards and pressing a kiss to her lips. I test myself, making sure the fear hasn’t returned. For me, it hasn’t. I just hope that Maggie can say the same.
I kiss her once more before pulling back and setting my gaze on hers. “Neither can I.”
18
Maggie
Dart Number Four—Cupid’s Creation
Found at the heart of creation is love.
Lovely unveils her spiritual side in this chapter, and I’m all about it.
All signs keep pointing to Braxton, who I’m certain was heaven-sent. Even as I dive into the topic of creation and its accompanying chapters, I do so while Braxton fashions the coffee bar that he and I—in a word—createdtogether. His parents are on an anniversary cruise, a giftfrom Braxton and his brothers, which allowed him just enough time to start and finish the job.
A few weeks back, Braxton introduced me to his parents; they’re absolutely charming, and they’re crazy about their ‘talented son who can build anything with his hands.’As they should be.
I wish my parents had that kind of pride and appreciation for me and Kirsten. But I don’t resent it. Instead, I use it to feed me with hope. Braxton has that, and if he and I end up making mini Braxtons (or mini Maggies) one day, we can develop that kind of closeness as well.
Seated on a comfy chair in his parents’ spacious bedroom, I hug my beat-up copy of Cupid Darts to my chest and watch Braxton put the finishing touches on the bar. I’m all but done with the book now, save the closing chapter and, of course, the inscription I’ve waited all this time to read. I fell back into savor-mode with this last dart, enjoying the way it seemed to narrate the bigger picture of the Great Creator and His unmatched love.
Beyond that, this chapter, like all the others, reflects yet another section of my blooming romance with Braxton, giving us every benefit known to true and everlasting love-hood.
“What do you think?” he says, backing proudly away from the bar so I can see it.
I set the book down, hurry over to his side to observe it, and then let out an enchanted sigh. “It’s a masterpiece.”
He gives me a wicked grin. “You’re quite the masterpiece yourself. You know that?” He kisses me on the tip of my nose, making me smile and blush.
