I nod, offering him a tentative smile.
"She’s parked in the driveway," he says. "I’m going to go get Hannah."
He kisses me—a slow, tender kiss—before asking, "Do you want to come with me?"
"I think it would be best if I wait here," I say, meeting his gaze.
He nods in understanding before heading toward the door.
"I'll be right back," he says, shooting me a grin and a wink before walking out.
***
When Cal isn't back in half an hour, I glance out the window, wondering what Meghan is still doing at his house.
The jingle of keys at the door lets me know Tina's home. With the holiday and her working back-to-back double shifts, I haven’t seen her since Christmas Eve.
"You're home," she says, pulling off her coat and scarf. "I expected you to be next door or at the group home."
"I know," I say. "It’s been a crazy week for me, but you? Girl, you mustbe exhausted."
"I’m used to it," she replies. "I slept a good eight hours between shifts the other day when you were at your board meeting. How’s that going?"
"It’s going well," I say. "We’re working diligently to make sure the right guidelines are implemented and the right people are hired, so that all the girls who reside at the home are treated equally, with transparency and accountability between departments. What happened to me will never, ever happen again."
"I saw Meghan's car parked next door," she says, stepping out of her shoes and rubbing the back of her neck. "I thought you'd be there, duking it out with her."
I shake my head. "Cal was here when she and Hannah drove up. He went to get Hannah. Frankly, I don't care to deal with her if I don't have to."
"I get it," she says, heading toward the kitchen. "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."
"This morning, I made veggie omelets and left you one in the fridge," I offer. "If not, there's leftover roasted chicken and potatoes in there, too."
She pulls the foil-covered omelet from the fridge and pops it into the microwave. After pouring herself a cup of coffee, she chooses to sit on the center island so she can face me while she eats.
"Mmm, this is really good," she says after taking a big bite. "I'm going to try and sleep for a few hours before meeting Vince at his office."
"Tina," I begin, knowing there might not be another opportunity for us to chat. "Cal asked me to marry him."
She meets my gaze, fork frozen in midair. "What? When? How? Why hadn't you told me?!"
"You've been working long hours," I say. "I haven't seen you, except in passing when you're heading for your bedroom to get some sleep, or to the door for another long shift."
"You're right," she says, extending her hand. "Let me see it!"
I laugh and immediately hold my hand up to show her, then walk over so she can inspect it closely.
"Elle," she says, holding my hand. "This is beautiful. It must have cost him a fortune."
"I think it's perfect," I reply, unable to hide my excitement.
She stands and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "I'm so happy for you!"
"I'm happy for me too," I say, feeling my heart swell with love.
"Have you guys picked a date yet?" she asks, returning to her omelet.
I shake my head. "No. With all the projects he has going, I think it’ll be a while. Maybe a year."
