“Sometime,” I say, testing it out, “we could pick up our order and find a spot to watch the sunset while we eat.”
“Let’s do it.”
I blink. “Now? Tonight?”
“Mm-hmm,” she hums. “Why not?”
“’Cause I promised you a nice dinner. A sit-down, order-a-glass-of-wine-if-you-want kind of thing.”
“I don’t want wine. Let’s do your thing.”
And I can’t help it…I laugh.
Twenty minutes later, we’re back on the road.
The sky’s starting to shift, soft streaks of pink and orange painted across the blue. I pull off the main road and onto the gravel path I’ve used a hundred times before, open fields on both sides. It’s peaceful, quiet, empty out here.
I park near the edge of the field, kill the engine, and grab the food. Karissa grabs the napkins and drinks before hopping out on her side and meeting me back by the tailgate. The small smile on her face tells me this is exactly what she needed.
The conversation between us is light as we sit and eat, soaking in the view, the sun still out but moving toward the horizon with every passing minute.
“I meant what I said, you know,” she says with a quiet boldness to her tone.
“What was that?” I mutter through a full mouth.
“About marrying you,” she admits.
I look over but she’s not looking at me.
“Not even a hint of hesitation?” I ask.
She looks at me, eyes steady. “No. You?”
“Not with you. But I’ll be honest, I’m afraid of getting walked out on again.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” She shakes her head.
“Maybe we do something smaller than what I had back then.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want some huge wedding. I’m not that girl.” She laughs once.
“I didn’t think so,” I say, chuckling.
She huffs a soft laugh, then shrugs. “I’ve got Emma. I’ve got spit-up on everything I own. I don’t have bridesmaids or friends who’d come. My parents are dead. And plus, I’m not trying to impress anybody.”
The honesty makes my chest ache. I do feel bad for her, but she couldn’t have stumbled into a better family.
“So…courthouse?” I laugh once.
“That or elope.”
“I’d do either,” I say and we fall quiet again, but it’s not awkward, it’s comfortable. Full of understanding the choices we already agree on. Call me crazy, but I definitely need to start thinking about getting this girl a ring.
Chapter 32
Karissa
Emma’s been awake since four fifteen.
