Chapter 28
“Idon’t think we have plans. Unless hunkering down and staying in for an extended weekend is what you call plans.” My face hurts from all the smiling as I think of what we’ll be doing. No panties required.
“Valentine’s Day and this is Walker’s big plans for y’all? I’m surprised you haven’t moved in together by now,” Alden says from the kitchen.
A smile lights my face at the thought. “We haven’t been together that long, dude.” I scrunch my face up. “These things take time.”
“You’re making plans to marry him. I think you’ve arrived.” He quirks a brow at me and joins me on the couch. I can’t help but laugh. He’s right. I beam with the realization.
“Yeah, I guess we have gotten there but I’m still waiting for him to ask.” I bite my bottom lip, imagining what that conversation would hold.
“To marry him or to move in? Or to be his love bunny?” He waggles his brows and chuckles as my phone buzzes.
I pick it up, staring at the name. “It’s Jeffrey, again.” I hold the phone tightly in my hand, knowing this decision could change everything.
“Talk to him. And if you want to meet him, Walker or I will go and be on stand-by.” He shrugs.
I answer my phone, a knot forming on my stomach. “Hello,” I croak, my mouth dry from anxiety.
“Reese, it’s your da… Jeffrey.” The pang in the pit of my belly won’t go away. “How have you been?”
I swallow repeatedly, hoping to calm my nerves. “I’m okay. How are you?”
“I’m good. Thank you.” His words falter. “I’ve tried calling a few times. I know you’re busy, but I was hoping we could meet and have that coffee.” His voice trembles with each word. My hands do the same.
“I have plans for the weekend. Would next week work?” I chew my nail, hoping he won’t be able to.
“Yes, of course.” Fuck, I knew it. “You tell me the day and time.”
I grind teeth, trying to speak past the nausea. “Thursday, around five?” I pause, trying to think of a place to meet. “How about Boardwalk House?”
“I know the place. I’ll be there.” I hold my stomach, the pain close to unbearable. “Thank you, Reese.”
“Yeah, okay.” I hesitate. “You might want to wear a certain color or something, so I can recognize you.” Just being my father won’t help me recognize you after years of desertion.
“I’ll know you, but I’ll wear blue. See you then.” He ends the call and I still feel like death. The worst feeling ever has washed over me.
“It’s done.” I roll my eyes, biting back my thoughts on this reunion.
“Do you feel okay?” Alden feels my head. “You look ashen, pale as a ghost.”
“My stomach feels weird. Who am I kidding? This entire thing feels off.” I shiver when a chill runs down my spine. “I don’t know. I guess I’m psyching myself out.”
“If Walker can’t go with you, I will. You’ll be fine. We’ll protect you.” He throws his arm around me, making me feel safe like always.
“I know. I’ll be okay. It’s something else, I feel off. Like, something bad is about to happen.” I can’t shake this feeling of dread.
I want Walker. He’ll make everything right.
Walker’s office is dark when I stroll through the front door today. Donna must’ve already gone home today. I kick my heels off near the door, stalking my prey. A desk lamp shines through the hall. He sits behind it, twirling a pen with one hand, studying a paper.
His profile is breathtaking. Can a man be breathtaking? He damn well is. Strong jawline, muscle you can see through his shirts. Well defined chest and a smile that’ll knock any girl on her ass. His eyes are glacier blue when he’s feeling wicked and ocean blue when he whispers, “I love you.”
How damn lucky am I?
“Hey, handsome.” I stand by Walker’s office door, watching him pour over paperwork. “What’cha doin’?”
“You, beautiful, are a sight for sore eyes. Come over here.” He spins his chair around, patting his thigh, welcoming my plump ass. I walk over, sliding into his lap as his hand finds my ass and he reads a paper. “I’m finalizing a deal. I won’t be long.” He kisses the top of my head and I swoon.
“That’s it, baby. Make that million so I can marry you and spend it all shopping.”
He laughs. “Anytime you want to marry me, I’d happily give you the checkbook.”
“How much are you making on this one?” I gaze at him as his eyes twinkle. I never ask about his bottom line, just his perfect bottom.
“Three point five.”
My mouth pops open, and I blink rapidly. “Million? Dollars?”
“Pesos.” His eyes meet mine, and he smiles boyishly. He’s adorable.
“You’re making three and a half million dollars on this deal? Seriously, Walker. You’re gonna end up with more money than God.”
“Not possible but it’s a goal.” He raises his brows.
“Smartass.” I lay my head on his shoulder, and he wraps his arm around me. “Are we cooking, or do you want me to order something while you finish up?”
“We’ll order tonight.” He kisses the top of my head.
I get the nerve up to be brave. “I’m meeting my dad next week.”
He lays his paper down, focusing on me. I can’t lie. I love when he does this. He’s working on huge deals and will lay it down for me.
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“I think Alden’s going if you don’t care. And if it’s okay, I want to come over here after to clear my head.”
“If that’s what you want, I’m good with it.” He runs his hand through my hair, gazing at me as if he’s memorizing my face. “Move in with me.” It’s a statement, not a question. I tilt my head back, my heart pounding at the thought. “I want to take care of you.”
“Are you sure?” I search his eyes, my pulse quickening. “You don’t think we’re rushing it?”
“I think I would’ve moved you in back in December, but I waited because I want you to want to do it.” He kisses my nose. “But if you feel rushed or like I’m pushing too hard, we can wait. I’m not going anywhere.”
I wrinkle my nose, laying my finger on my chin, pretending to ponder. “Is there a timeline for these things? You know, like rules to go by?”
“Some would say it’s too soon, but I don’t give a damn what they think. The only thing I care about is how you feel. That’s all.” He shrugs.
“Well, then. How about I start packing?”
His face lights up with an ear-to-ear smile. “Really? You’re gonna move in with me?” His brows pull tight, and my chest tightens. His giddiness is infectious.
“It’ll take me a few weeks but yeah, I think we’re there. Some couples may move slower, but I feel like we’re good.” I shrug. “Besides, most of my things are here already.”
“I know we are.” He shifts, taking a small, black box out of his pocket, setting it on his desk. “I was going to do this Saturday, but I think now’s a good time.” He takes a deep breath.
“Oh. Is that?” I nod my head rapidly, my eyes darting to his. “It is, right?”
Walker smiles at me, his eyes alight with admiration, understanding, and love.
I see forever in his bright blue eyes. “When and only when you are ready, I hope you’ll marry me.
I can’t imagine this life, my life, without you.
You make me a better man, Reese. You are my missing piece.
I know…” I stop him cold, smashing his mouth with mine.
“Yes.” I kiss him again. “Yes, I’ll marry you. You, Walker Ian Pennington. The incredible, amazing, crazy as hell, slightly dominant but I like that shit, favorite person in the world. I’ll marry the hell outta you.”
He takes my face into his hands, searching my eyes. “Are you sure? You don’t have to say yes yet. I simply wanted you to know my hopes and dreams are nothing without you. We have time and I’ll wait.”
“You were so unexpected. This love, it’s ours. Love controls our path and I don’t want to be on it with anyone else. I love you.” His eyes glisten with unshed tears. If ever I doubted I deserved this love, I see the truth in his eyes. My truth, my life.
“I love you.” His lips brush mine, and my heart thunders. Hairs prickle on my body from his touch. That alone tells me he’s my life. He opens the box to reveal a rose gold diamond-covered band with a cushion cut solitaire, surrounded by diamonds.
“Holy crow, that’s amazing.”
“If you don’t like, we can exchange it.” His mouth purses. “I like you in rose gold. It reminds me of your hair and how you shine.” He’s the sweetest man.
I shakily hold my hand out, waiting for him to slip it on my finger. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Is it too much? It’s three karats. If it’s too big, we can exchange it.” A line creases his forehead.
“Baby, never ask me if it’s too big again.” He chuckles. “It’s perfect and not because of the size but because you picked it out.” Our lips meet, taking my breath away.
“Can I call everyone?” he asks.
“Yeah, I guess I should call my mom.” I start to move but he holds me tight.
“We’ll call them together.” I snuggle back in his arms, and he begins to make the calls.
“Hello?” Cynthia answers in her singsong way.
“Hey, Mom. You’re on speaker with Reese and me.” Walker smiles at me.
“Hello, my darlings. How are you?”
I adore Walker’s mom. She makes me feel like I’m a part of their family. I’m not even sure if I know how to do the family thing. My chest tightens as my mind whirls with memories. My doubts and fears are front and center. I pull myself from the muck and find Walker smiling at me.
“We’re good. Is Dad around?” Walker winks at me before sneaking a kiss.
There’s rustling on her end as she moves around. “He is. Are you okay?”
“Just put him on speaker if you don’t mind.” Walker squeezes me, and butterflies fill my belly.
“Oh, gracious. Ian? Walker and Reese are on the phone,” she practically screams.
“What’s going on?” Ian’s smooth, no-nonsense style is Walker when he’s in court. Calm and in control, yet a fire burns within.
“Okay, babies. You’re on.” Cynthia is giddy.
“I think you already know, but I’ve asked Reese to marry me.” Cynthia squeals. “She said yes,” he yells over his mother’s cries of joy.
“Congratulations! We’re so happy for you both.” Cynthia sniffles through her words.
“Good. It’s about damn time!” We laugh at Ian’s words, both of us knowing he’s smiling like crazy.