“You’re sure you’re okay with this?”I ask Laney for what must be the tenth time.
She rolls her eyes then stretches up on tiptoe to press a kiss to my cheek.
“Yes! She’s basically living here already, and I love having her around. She’s great.”
I grin, my chest tightening with affection. There was a time I never thought I’d hear her say those words. Now, she and Ash are the best of friends, and I love the relationship they’re building.
“Do you have the flowers?”she asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I nod.“On the entryway table.”
“And the key?”
I pat my jeans pocket.“Right here.”
“Then you’re all set. Go get her, Dad.”
I smile.“I love you, Laney.”
She beams back.“Love you too, Dad.”
“Have fun with Ryan today, and hopefully when Ash and I get back, it’ll be with good news. Then we can all celebrate.”
My voice wavers slightly, and I know she hears it. She pulls me into a tight hug.
“Itwillbe good news. Ash adores you. She’s going to say yes.”
I breathe out a nervous laugh.“God, I hope so.”
I leave Laney in the kitchen and head out, sliding into my car. As I make the drive toward Hope Creek, my thoughts drift to the last six months with Ash. After everything that happened with Eddie, she stayed at my place for a week before easing back into work. Eddie was formally charged with kidnapping and assault and denied bail, something that came as a massive relief to all of us. It later came out that he’d been battling serious mental health issues that should have prevented him from ever being hired at a school. To this day, I still can’t wrap my head around how he slipped through the cracks.
As for Ash and me… we haven’t spent more than a night apart since, and after tonight, if everything goes according to plan, I’m hoping she’ll be with me every night, forever.
I pull up outside her apartment and kill the engine. Reaching into the back seat, I grab the bouquet of pale pink roses. Laney swears they’re her favorite, and I head inside. Ash gave me a fob to her building months ago, so I let myself into the main entrance and ride the elevator up to her floor.
I knock softly at her door and smile when I hear her voice call out,“Just a second!”Of course she’s not ready. She never is. But today, I don’t mind waiting. She can take all the time she wants.
Seconds later, the door opens, and my breath catches in my throat. She’s standing there in a short, pale pink sundress,her sun-kissed legs looking like they go on forever. She looks gorgeous, and for a moment, I can’t believe she’s mine.
“Hi, baby,”I say, my voice soft as I step forward, wrapping one arm around her and pulling her into my chest.“You look beautiful.”
She grins, and I lower my head to kiss her gently, savoring the feel of her lips on mine.
“Hi,”she whispers when we part.
I hold up the bouquet.“I got you these.”
“Oh my God, Ben,”she says, her eyes lighting up.“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
She takes the flowers and heads into the kitchen, pulling down a vase from the cupboard and filling it with water.
Once the bouquet is arranged, she turns back to me.“Ready to go?”
I nod and slip my hand in hers as she picks up her purse and jacket and we head out, riding the elevator down to the foyer.
“So where are we going?” Ash asks as I hold the car door open for her.
Jogging around the hood, I climb into the driver’s seat and smile.
