Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
“ W hat are you cooking again? That smells amazing?” Jason asked. He’d just walked in the door and Anna was arranging the flowers he’d brought in a vase. Smith always got so excited when Jason arrived. He jumped up and down until Jason scooped him up and hugged him.
“Lasagna with meatballs. I made it last night, and it’s just heating up now.” It was her best recipe, the one thing that she never had to worry about not turning out well. And it was great for company because she could make it ahead of time and it actually tasted better the next day.
Jason pulled her into his arms once she had the flowers in the vase and had set them in the middle of her kitchen island. He kissed her thoroughly and when she pulled back, her eyes met his and she saw so much love and warmth there that it took her breath away. It was almost November, and they’d been dating since they both left the show. Two weeks later, he’d invited her for Sunday dinner with his family and she’d been a bit intimidated, but he’d assured her they’d welcome her and make her feel comfortable. And they did. Jason had the kind of family that Anna had always dreamed of and they welcomed her with open arms. She’d been back several times for Sunday dinner since and always looked forward to it.
She still couldn’t believe that her relationship with Jason was so solid and so easy. She’d never been in a relationship like this, where she could totally be herself and where her partner was a supportive best friend as well as a romantic one. Jason’s touch made her melt, and she was just happy being around him, even if they were just grocery shopping or taking Smith for a walk. She missed him when she didn’t see him for a few days and they talked or texted daily.
Two weeks ago, Jason told her that he loved her for the first time. They were in Central Park with Smith and had just sat on a park bench to rest for a few minutes. It was a lazy Sunday, and they’d spent the weekend together, sleeping late, having a delicious brunch and then the walk in the park. He’d taken her hand, looked in her eyes, and told her he loved her. And she’d felt a rush of happiness and told him that she felt the same.
Anna glanced at her watch. Katy and her new boyfriend, Sean, were due in about fifteen minutes. Sean was one of Jason’s best friends. He’d done several tours as a Marine until an injury sidelined him and now he was still in the Marines but working a desk job. He’d mentioned a month or so ago that he thought Sean and Katy might be a good fit. Katy was a little hesitant at first. She hated the idea of a setup, and she was still not quite over Billy. But she agreed to meet up as a group for drinks.
And she and Sean hit it off immediately. Sean was outgoing and fun-loving, and he adored Katy. Things were going really well with them and they often went out with them. Anna was excited to have them over. They usually went out to dinner and this was fun for a change. She’d picked up a few bottles of good red wine and opened one and poured two glasses, and handed one to Jason.
“Cheers!” She lifted her glass to tap against his, as they often did, to celebrate the beginning of a fun night out. Jason had a funny look on his face, though. He lifted his glass, tapped hers, and took a sip. But then he reached into his pocket and got down on one knee.
“Anna, some people might think this is fast, but I think when you know who you want to spend the rest of your life with, there’s no good reason to wait.” He grinned. “I bought this the day I told you I loved you. We don’t have to get married immediately, but I want you to know how I feel and I hope you feel the same. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you marry me?” His words came out in a rush, and while he took her by surprise with the proposal, she didn’t hesitate.
“Of course I will!” Her eyes filled with happy tears as he slid the gorgeous princess cut diamond onto her finger. He pulled her into his arms and they kissed for so long that they almost didn’t hear the doorbell. They broke apart and Anna went to open the door. Katy and Sean came in. Sean handed Anna a bottle of cabernet and Katy had a pan of brownies.
“They have a swirl of peanut butter in them,” Katy said as she set the brownies on the counter.
“What can I help you with? It already smells amazing in here,” she said.
“Nothing, help yourself to a glass of wine. We just opened the bottle. I’m just going to put the garlic bread in the oven to toast and we can eat once it’s ready.” Earlier, she’d sliced the loaf, slathered garlic butter on both halves, and wrapped it in tin foil so the outside would be crusty and the inside warm and buttery.
Katy hadn’t noticed the ring yet, which didn’t surprise Anna. Katy almost never noticed if people were wearing rings or not. It wasn’t until Anna took a plate of sliced cheese out of the refrigerator and set it on the island that Sean noticed the ring and high-fived Jason. “Congratulations, man.”
“Thank you!” Jason was beaming.
Katy looked confused, then followed Sean’s gaze and gasped when she saw the ring.
“You’re engaged! Congratulations! Let me get a closer look.”
Anna lifted her hand and Katy pulled it even closer. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.” She turned to Jason. “Well done!”
He laughed. “Thank you.”
“When do you plan to get married? Do you know?” Katy asked.
Anna smiled. “We haven’t gotten that far. I don’t think we’re in a rush.”
“I’d marry her tomorrow, but I’m okay waiting for as long as it takes, so Anna can have the wedding of her dreams,” Jason said.
“The wedding of my dreams is just me marrying you and I’m fine with the town hall. I’ve dreamed of being happily married—not having a big, fancy wedding. I kind of hate being the center of attention like that,” she admitted.
Jason looked stunned. “Really? I just assumed you’d want something big and fancy and photographable.”
Anna shook her head. “I don’t need to share my wedding online. It would probably be good for my business, but I’m okay with that.”
Jason nodded. “Town hall it is, then. My mother will want to kill me, but we can always have a party after, just a small celebration at her house, maybe?”
Anna smiled. “That sounds perfect to me. My parents won’t be thrilled either. I’m sure they’d rather have some formal affair at a Connecticut country club, but they also know that’s not me.”
“Well, of course we’ll include them. Do you think they’ll come to Brooklyn?” Jason asked.
“Probably. They’ll whine a bit about not having a wedding they can brag about, but they do love me, so I’m sure they will come.”
“All right then. It looks like this will be a celebratory dinner. I’ll call my mother tomorrow and make her day,” Jason said.
They all lifted their glasses and Anna said, “To love!” Jason pulled her in for a quick kiss.
When the food was ready, they filled their plates and gathered around her small dining room table. As Anna gazed around the table at her friends and at Jason, the love of her life, she felt so much happiness. And she was so glad that she’d decided to step out of her comfort zone and do the Nantucket Influence show. She and Katy had grown closer as friends and she’d met Jason and her life had changed in ways she never would have imagined were possible.