Page 16 of Say Yes
She shrugs and I flop back down, blowing out an agitated breath. “Talk about what?”
“How did you know it was Vince?”
“Hunch,” I answer. Poke. This time she adds a dig with her bony little finger. “Ouch! For the love of Pete, would you quit it with the poking?” I glance over and see her staring at me with her jaw locked in determination. I’m clearly not going to be going back to sleep, so I rub my eyes as I sit up and scoot against the headboard.
“I just couldn’t put Grant with the destruction in your apartment. I had a buddy look up his record, and he’s got a couple of restraining orders. But, none of them involved notes, flowers, and particularly not vandalism or violence.” I give her a pointed look. “That’s not to say that Grant and I won’t be having a little chat. If I find even the tiniest hint that he’s becoming fixated on you, he’s done at the shop. Understand?” I’ve worked myself up and anger radiates from me.
She nods, and I’m mollified by her quick agreement.
“How did you know about the other thing?”
I yawn and reach for her, but she eludes my grasp and I shoot her a frown. “Come here.”
“Not until you answer me.”
“That is not the answer you give in the bedroom, Lindsay,” I grunt.
She huffs, “I will say yes. But, you have to answer my question first. How did you know I’m pregnant?”
“Oh well, I figured it would be a great way to push him over the edge if we pretended—” My eyes fly open and I sit up, rigid with tension as I process what just happened. I dig my heels into my eyes and take a deep breath. Then I look at her. “Did you just ask me how I knew you are pregnant?”
“Yes,” she pouts. “You completely ruined my surprise. How the hell did you—” It’s her turn to stop and process. “Did you say you thought we should pretend to be having a baby?”
I don’t demand she come to me this time, I reach out and haul her over. I drag her onto her back and underneath me. “You’re really pregnant?” I breathe.
She bites her lip and I groan. “Definitely knocked up.”
I laugh and attack her lips like it’s been years since we kissed. Then I slid down until I can place my lips on her belly. “Hey there, little one. I’m your daddy. I need a big favor, ok? I need you to take my side when I tell your mommy that we should be married and sharing a last name before you arrive.”
Lindsay’s stomach quivers and she bursts out laughing. “You know, the night of the break-in, I was going to tell you I was ready to give up my place. To jump in with both feet.”
“Really?” She nods and smiles brightly. I crawl back up her body and kiss her until we are both panting for oxygen.
“So, when are you going to marry me?”
“You have to ask me first,” she says haughtily, her eyes dancing with laughter. I stare at her stubbornly until she quietly reminds me about the only answer she’s supposed to give in the bedroom.
I stare down into her brilliant, chocolate eyes and marvel that she is mine and will be, for the rest of my life.
“Will you marry me?”
“You bet your sweet ass,” she exclaims. “Whenever and wherever you want. You were patient with me about moving in, and now I’m going let you set the pace for getting married.”
I peck her lips and jump up, racing from the room without another word.
“Hey! What just happened here?” she calls after me. I don’t answer her, I have shit to do.
Thirty-six hours later, Mr. and Mrs. Black drove away from the county courthouse.