“I want to drop Philly’s present off at Jo Jo’s before we head to your parents.”
“When did you decide this?” I look at her perplexed as I fix my cufflink.
“About five minutes ago.” She hits me with puppy dog eyes bigger than Stowe’s.
“Fine,” I relent.
“Thank you.” She gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to walk this little guy real fast before we leave.”
“Good idea. I will not appreciate any accidents in my car.”
“I wouldn't either, especially if I had to clean them up.” She hurries out of our room.
“I’ll meet you downstairs!” I call.
“Okay!” she yells.
I fix my collar as I count down, still listening to Tara’s footsteps.
“5–4-3–2-1-”
And right on cue, the alarm goes off. Blaring around thewhole house.
“CJ!” Tara screeches, and I rush downstairs. She’s trying to punch in the code, but she never gets it right. “Shit, shit.”
I move her hand away and punch it in myself, silencing the ear-piercing sound.
“I thought it was off.” She bristles.
“It was.”
“I hate all your ‘devices’!” She waves her hand at the keypad.
“You have to get used to them. They aren’t going anywhere.”
“I know,” she pouts. “Are you ready?”
I feel around my jean pockets. “My watch.”
Tara sighs. “Not surprising.”
I shrug. No matter how hard I try, I always forget it. “How about I walk Stowe, and you go upstairs and get my watch? That way you don't have to go out in the cold.” I offer an olive branch.
“Fine.” She hands over the living puffball. “Put his sweater on him.”
“Not a chance in hell.” I smack her on the ass and send her on her way.
I watch Tara ascend the stairs then wait several second before I follow her.
I put Stowe down then creep up silently, coming to stand in the doorway of our bedroom that Tara decorated in all grays and whites. She’s standing like a statue in front of our dresser staring at the little open ring box between my watch and her collar. I take a few steps forward, alerting her I’m there. She looks over at me, her beautiful blue eyes wide and her face flushed. “Is that for me?”
“It depends.” I pull the diamond ring from the box.
“On what?” she asks as I take her hand and hold the princess cut stone on the platinum band up to it.
“Your answer.”
“What exactly is the question?” She shakes nervously.
