Her thoughts refocused on the present when Knox gave her a handful of sparklers.
"For their send-off," he said.
"I need this many?"
Knox grinned. "Why not? I gave Nash a dozen. It'll look amazing in the pictures. Come on, they're about to leave."
Lena couldn't help but laugh out loud. Knox and Nash enjoyed the sparkling send-off almost as much as Jason and Tayla.
A few minutes later Nash opened the passenger door of his truck for her, and she climbed inside, happy and exhausted. He walked around to the driver's side, slid into his seat, and turned to her with a huge smile. "That was fun."
Lena mirrored his smile. "We're just lucky you and Knox didn't set anything on fire."
"I'll have you know, Knox and I are proficient in pyrotechnics." The mock seriousness on his face triggered an embarrassing giggle she couldn't hope to contain.
"That may be true, but you both were making Tayla's uncle Leland pretty nervous."
Nash waved a hand in the air. "Leland's worked for WhiteRock longer than any of us. He knows us."
"That's probably why he was nervous."
Nash's deep chuckle soothed something inside her. For the hundredth time.
She prayed she could enjoy that rich laugh for a very long time.
The short drive back to Houston was full of laughter and easy conversation. When they neared the exit for her apartment, he glanced at her. "Do you need to go straight home? I wanted to show you something at my condo, if you have time."
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well, I found out today I have to leave tomorrow. For work." He slid his right hand into hers. "Sorry. I found out a few hours before the wedding. WhiteRock is providing security for a summit in France, and one of the guys scheduled to go broke his leg today. It'll only be for ten days." He squeezed her hand.
"I understand. I'll miss you, but I told you, Nash, I understand your job. It's okay."
He lifted her hand to his lips with a gentle kiss. "Thanks."
"So, why do we need to stop at your condo?"
"I'd like you to take care of something for me while I'm gone. If you want to. It will be easier to explain when we get there."
"You're not usually mysterious, Mr. Stone. My curiosity is piqued."
"Don't get too excited. You might not like it."
Lena didn't have to wait long. Two seconds after Nash opened the front door of his condo, an adorable white and brown puppy dashed toward them, yipping and jumping on Nash.
"You got a dog? Oh, my goodness! You really got a dog?"
"He's not a Maltipoo, but—"
"Nash, he's adorable! He's the cutest thing I've ever seen! I can't believe you got a dog." She scooped up the puppy, who promptly rewarded her with puppy kisses on her chin.
"Lena . . ." The huskiness in his voice swiveled her attention back to him. "I gotusa dog."
She froze. "Us?"
That's when she noticed the ring in his hand—the shock almost made her drop the puppy. Almost.
"Nash . . . I . . ." Her hands were shaking. And her voice wasn't working.
