She wraps her arms around herself. “It’s not enough.”
That’s all I can take. I’m done teasing her. I knock on the door in front of me at the same time I say, “Then let me in, baby.”
Lorelei squeals so loudly, I have to hold the phone away. The call disconnects abruptly, and a moment later, the door swings open. I have just enough time to catch sight of blonde hair before she launches herself at me. I hold her tight and walk her back inside, kicking the door shut behind me. I sit on the couch with her in my lap and squeeze her tight.
“How are you here? Why are you here?” she asks.
“I missed you. I decided to cancel my classes for today and take a long weekend.”
I pull away from her a little bit and remove a small box from my jacket pocket. Her eyes widen when she sees what I’m holding.
“I don’t want to lose you,” I say. “And visits aren’t enough for me, either. I love you, Lorelei.”
She gasps and presses her hand to her chest. “I love you, too,” she says.
I flip open the box, gratified by her gasp and beaming smile as she sees the ring I designed for her.
“Marry me, baby.”
She flings her arms around me, laughing or crying, or both. I can’t tell.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she says, kissing me all over my face. I put the ring on her finger, and she holds it up to the light. “But how is this going to work?” Her joyous smile slides off her face. “I can’t quit the team; they’re counting on me.”
I hurry to tell her she doesn’t have to give up a single thing. “I just put in for a sabbatical. As soon as it’s approved, I’m going to move to Arizona to be close to you for your senior year and write another book.”
She looks more excited about my next book than the fact we’re now engaged, but that’s one of the many reasons I love her. Who doesn’t need a little encouragement from someone who thinks they can do no wrong?
“What about touring?” she asks.
“I go where you go,” I tell her. “Like your groupie.”
She bursts out laughing and then turns serious. “How did I get so lucky?” she asks. “I’m marrying my dream man.”
I puff up with pride at her words but shake my head. I almost always agree with her, but this time she’s wrong.
“I’m the lucky one.”
Epilogue
Lorelei
Ten years later
I’m sitting on the edge of the tub, waiting for my toenails to dry and listening to Cara freaking out on the phone.
“You’ve been throwing up every day the last couple weeks, and you think it’s from stress?” I ask.
I barely refrain from laughing at her, but I have two kids of my own and know what morning sickness is. She finally gets it and promises to let me know, as if I don’t already. I’m so happy for her and Hudson. It’s about time.
My little ones come crashing through the door, Annie pushing her younger sister Jenna out of the way. I tell them to be nice, and Annie asks if it’s time to go skating. At a little over two and just under one, they don’t do much but swish around in their boots, but since I’m the director of the skating program at the rink near our home, it makes me so happy to see my girls on the ice. I already see potential in Annie, but I’m not going to push her. Competitive sports is a tough road, and I never have any regrets that I left to start a family with Gabe.
He’s on another one of his writing sabbaticals, working on his third book. His second wasn’t just about calculus theorems, but finding balance in a chaotic world. It shouldn’t have worked, but his heartfelt and philosophical way of putting things resonated with readers, and it was a massive bestseller.
That afternoon, I get the girls packed up, and we arrive at the ice rink in record time. When I get my girls situated with one of the instructors, I turn around to see my husband trying to sneak up behind me. He pulls out a big bouquet of roses and envelops me in a hug.
“Happy anniversary, baby,” he says, giving me shivers as if it’s our first night together.
“You, too,” I say, forgetting about everyone at the rink and kissing him until my knees are weak.
