“That’s the end of the property.” He turned to look at Violet. “You could hold the next Walker reunion here.”
“Yeah, no,” Violet said with a choked laugh.
“Well, if you decide to or not, this is the outdoor living space.” Spencer gestured to the large, covered area they stood in. “Full kitchen, fireplace, ceiling fans.”
“This countertop is amazing,” Violet said, trailing her fingers over the stained concrete as she walked around the raised bar toward the kitchen.
Simon followed, pretending to be interested in all the little details.
“There’s even a dishwasher.” She looked at Spencer. “Seriously? Who needs a dishwasher outside?”
“You do,” he told her.
“Whatever. That’s a little—oh. It looks like someone left this out here.” Violet held up a small velvet box.
Spencer started forward, but Simon waved him off from behind Violet.
“Probably should call the homeowner and—”
Simon reached around Violet, taking the box from her hand.
Finally.
As she turned to face him, he went to one knee and opened the box.
•••••
Violet was pretty sure her heart stoppedbeating for a moment.
This wasn’t real, was it? It was a dream, one inspired by the pictures she saw on Simon’s computer. He’d been looking at this house, so it made sense that her subconscious would work up a crazy scenario where she would get to live there.
Any minute now, she was going to wake up.
Simon’s eyes lifted, meeting hers. She saw so much love that it choked her up even more.
Her eyes widened as she planted her hand flat on her chest. “What are you doin’?”
“Violet Jane Anderson,” he said, forcing the words past the tightness in his throat. “I know you think nice guys don’t stick around, but I’d like to be the one who does. For the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
Violet tried not to let the tears fall, but her heart was too full. She instantly thought about the reactions in all those movies she’d seen. She had more than enough valid reasons for saying no, but not for a second did she consider anything except for an emphatic—
“Yes,” she whispered, giggling. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Simon’s expression shifted, that hint of fear disappearing, replaced by the heat she usually saw when they were in the bedroom. She watched as he slipped the diamond on her finger, the gem sparkling as she admired it.
He got to his feet, pulling her into him, and she went without hesitation.
“I love you,” he whispered, his mouth sliding over hers.
“Me, too,” she said, her head spinning. She was as giddy as she’d been that first night he came to her house. Maybe more.
Simon chuckled, pulling back.
“You don’t have to buy a house just to ask me to marry you,” she teased.
“I happen to like this house,” he countered.
“Yeah? You saw it before today?”
