Chapter 13
Tana wore Mick’s T-shirt when they finally emerged from the bedroom.
“Do you have a housekeeper or anyone who is going to sneak up on us?” she asked.
“Not today. Or tomorrow. They cleaned yesterday and stocked the fridge. We should be good until we jump back on the bus.”
As Tana pulled open the ginormous fridge door, she asked, “Did you mean what you said about a big church wedding?”
“Sure did.”
She peered around the door at him, where he leaned against the cabinet. She let it close with a whoosh.
“Do you think your mom and sisters are going to like me?”
He grinned. “Oh, yeah. Which reminds me. I gotta tell them you said yes. Even though I know they’ve probably seen it already.”
Tana grimaced. “I need to call my mama too.”
“Food can wait. You call yours first. Mine already knew what I was up to.”
Tana paused, and her attention caught on the rock on her left ring finger. “Where’d you get this ring anyway?”
He winked. “Cartier in New York City.”
“The night I blew you off?”
He nodded.
“But why?”
“Better to be prepared than not.”
She blinked twice. “But … I told you …”
“I know what you told me. But I also knew how I felt when you did.”
“You had just met me.”
“I’d already made up my mind about what I wanted.”
“You are crazy, aren’t you?”
“Crazy about you, Ms. I Want Three Babies, Six Ducks, Eight Chickens, and a Husband Who Sings with Me and Makes All My Dirty Fantasies Come True.” He repeated her answer to that interview question almost verbatim.
“Oh my God … Mick. That was my answer.”
“Damn right. You were so sweet, so shiny, so honest and real. I knew I had to have you. I wrote that duet while you sang your ‘Sugar Pie.’ And I knew there was no way I was letting you get away.”
“So, the publicity stunt was …”
“A publicity stunt that fit my purpose perfectly. And look at us now.”
Warmth filled her chest. “Did you know my daddy proposed to my mama on their third date?”
His smile stretched his cheeks. “Really?”
She nodded. “They were married for thirty-nine years before he passed.”
“I’m sorry about your daddy.”
“Don’t be. He was a great man. He would’ve loved you.”
“Maybe, but what I know for sure is that he is gonna love how I take care of you. I love you, Tana. This life of ours is never gonna be normal, but you’ll never regret this, and I will do everything I can to make your life better every single day. That’s my promise to you.”
She moved into his arms and hugged him. “I love you, Mick. It doesn’t matter what happens next, as long as I’ve got you.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You wanna call your mama and tell her we’re getting married as soon as possible?”
“But what about the tour?”
“It’ll be one heck of a stop, won’t it?”
“You’re crazy.”
“Where you wanna go on our honeymoon? Graceland?”
She laughed. “I don’t care, as long as I’m with you.”