Chapter 13 Kellan
Thirteen
Kellan
I whistled as I hauled supplies from the truck, ignoring the knowing smirks from our crew. Let them think what they wanted. Hell, let them think exactly what happened—that I’d finally gotten everything I’d ever wanted. It was just a little after the schedule everyone else assumed.
Tate stood by the blueprints spread across a portable table, her hair looking like molten honey in the morning sun. My hands itched to run through those silky strands again, to pull her close and taste those lips that had driven me crazy every night since that shower.
She caught my eye, and a blush crept up her neck. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” I set aside the bag of fertilizer and crossed over to her.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Like you’re undressing me with your eyes.”
“Can’t help it. Already know what’s underneath.
” And I was thinking about how I was gonna peel her out of these work clothes to get her back in the shower after work.
It was now my favorite time of day. I brushed my fingers across her lower back as I peered at the plans for the Xeriscaped garden we were putting in for the Fletchers, though I didn’t actually see a thing.
I was too focused on the woman beside me.
The shiver that ran through her body at my touch sent a wave of satisfaction coursing through me.
“We’re at work.” But she leaned into my touch. Just another little sign that she was all mine now.
“Uh-huh.” I pressed a kiss to her temple, breathing in the citrus scent of her shampoo—the same one that now clung to my skin since we shared our showers these days. Life was fucking fantastic.
The past week felt like some kind of dream.
Tate in my arms, in her bed, wrapped around me in every way possible.
My best friend had become my everything.
Maybe she always had been. And it was even better than I’d imagined.
She’d even stopped freaking out every time someone brought up the engagement.
She elbowed me in the ribs. “You’re doing it again.”
“Guilty as charged.” I grinned. “But you love it.”
Her blue eyes softened as she looked up at me. “Maybe I do.”
Those three words sent my heart soaring higher than it already was.
We hadn’t said those other three words to each other.
Not yet. Not since things had changed. We had a lot to figure out still—this fake engagement turned dating, how to navigate being business partners and a whole lot more.
But for the first time in my life, everything felt exactly right. I could wait for the rest.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, squinting against the sun’s glare to read the message from Mom.
Mom:
Got that special item from the safe deposit box at the bank Come by whenever you’re ready!
Heat crept up my neck as I shifted out of Tate’s line of sight. Leave it to my mother to make retrieving my grandmother’s ring into a covert operation. I pocketed the phone and glanced at Tate, who’d moved on to directing the crew about proper placement of the agapanthus.
I crossed over to her. “Hey, I need to run an errand. That okay?”
She brushed dirt from her hands. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah, just need to see Mom about something.” I pressed a quick kiss to her temple. “Won’t take long.”
“Take your time. I’ve managed without you for a year.” Her smile held a touch of sass. “Pretty sure I can handle the morning.”
I caught her hand and pulled her close enough to kiss the tip of her nose. “Yeah, but now you don’t have to.”
Pink tinged her cheeks as she pushed me away. “Go. Stop distracting me.”
“Okay, okay. For now.” With another wink, I headed for my truck, typing out a response to Mom.
Kellan:
On my way. And cool it with the emojis. You’re terrible at being subtle.
Her response came instantly.
Mom:
That’s what makes it fun!
I shook my head, grinning as I climbed in.
Mom had been over the moon when I’d called the other day asking about Grandma’s ring.
Grandma had left it to me when she passed back when I was in high school.
It had bugged me that this fake engagement was continuing without there being a ring on Tate’s finger, so I’d asked Mom about it.
She said she’d been waiting years to pass it down to Tate.
Now I just had to figure out the right time to give it to her, given the changed status of our relationship.
I found Mom in the kitchen, up to her elbows in bread dough. The familiar scent of yeast and warmth wrapped around me like a hug.
“There’s my boy.” She wiped her hands on her apron and crossed to the sink. “Give me just a second to clean up.”
I leaned against the counter, breathing in the smell of home. “No rush.”
She disappeared down the hall and returned moments later with a small velvet box.
“I had it polished up for you. Danielle down at the jewelers checked the setting to make sure the stone wasn’t loose.
It’s all ready for Tate.” Her eyes went misty as she handed it over.
“Your grandmother would be so happy to see this going to her.”
Had Grandma been on the apparently endless list of people who’d known we were right from each other from the start?
I opened the box, and there it sat—the antique gold ring with its delicate filigree and perfect center diamond. Exactly like I remembered from childhood.
My voice seemed to snag in my throat, and I had to pause to clear it. “It’s perfect. Thanks, Mom.”
She dabbed at her eyes with her apron. “Oh honey, seeing you this happy...” She touched my cheek. “You haven’t stopped smiling since you got home.”
“Can’t help it.” I closed the box and slipped it into my pocket. “Never been better.”
“I’m just so glad you finally found your way to each other.” She beamed and pulled me into a floury hug. “Your dad and I want to throw you two an engagement party. Nothing too fancy, just family and close friends to celebrate properly.”
The smart move would’ve been to deflect, given our complicated situation. But this thing with Tate felt more real with each passing day, and I couldn’t help feeling more than a little cocky. “That sounds great, Mom. Thanks.”