Page 81 of Restored Dreams

“Yes,” I say, staring at him. He stares back.

“Lily, come on. That’s not an attractive offer.”

“But it’s one I’ve been waiting for.” My eyes lower to the collar of his shirt. His fingers tip up my chin.

“What are you saying?”

“I was hurt, crushed even, but I loved you.”

“And now, Lily pad? How do you feel now about me?”

“I love you even more than I thought possible.” My voice cracks as I bare my soul to him.

“Let me kiss you,” he says, and I question his asking, but then I remember I told him not to kiss me yesterday.

“Every day.” The words aren’t even fully out of my mouth before my lips are covered with his. He’s tender, loving, telling me how he feels. He loves me. He wants me. His soft kisses last a few minutes before he pulls back.

“I’m so glad you’re okay and the baby, too. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost either of you.” His fingers comb through my hair, and the earnest tone of his voice tells me the truth. He means what he says.

+ + +

I wake alone, but I hear voices in the kitchen below. Brut and I slept in our clothes wrapped around one another. We cuddled. I laugh as I realize for once I did not beg him to take me. I wanted him just to hold me.

I rise and decide to head downstairs before taking a much-needed shower. The voices disappear as I come through the door Brut insisted on installing to protect the upstairs from the lower level. I search the kitchen to find it empty despite the ingredient containers spread on the island, waiting for today’s baking. I cross the vacant room and enter the bakery itself. It’s early, darkness still filling the space, but the display case is lit. Inside it sits a kid’s plastic purple sand bucket. I look over my shoulders, finding no one else present although I swear I heard voices. I reach for the pail and remove it from the case. A Post-it note on the side reads Fulfill Me.

I tip the bucket, puzzled at the meaning, until I see a velvet black box inside. My fingers shake as I remove the square. Under the box are seven Scrabble tiles. I set the bucket on top of the display case and hold the jewelry box in my shaky hand. Pulling out the tiles one by one, I try to arrange them on the check-out counter.

A presence comes up behind me, and I don’t turn, though I know it’s Brut. Manly. Fresh. His scent surrounds me as does his arms. He rearranges the letters.

Marry me.

“We are getting married,” I choke, my eyes closing at the sweetness of all he’s arranged here.

“I fucked up, Lily pad. My beautiful, romance-seeking Lily. Let me ask you properly. Let me give you the wedding you want. A dress. A party. Everything.”

I shake my head. It’s too much. It’s everything…and beyond.

“What?” he mutters behind me. “What did I say?”

“You love me,” I murmur, and Brut spins me to face him.

“Of course, I love you. I told you las—”

“But you really mean it.” My eyes roam over his puzzled face. “You really love me. Not just because of the baby. Not because of some scare. You—”

“I…my God, Lily, is this what’s been wrong?” Brut’s forehead furrows before relaxing. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” His mouth lowers to my forehead, my nose, my lips. Too briefly, my lips. “I loved you when I was twenty-three, and I love you at forty-five.” Brut stares at me, his expression shifting. “Shit, I guess I’ve waited long enough to tell you.”

I laugh a little, feeling giddy at his words. I reach up for his face and tickle his scruff with my fingertips. “I love you, Brut.”

“I wanted to marry you way back when, Lily pad, but I wanted to have it all together for you. I wanted it to be perfect. I would have given you babies when you were ready. I wanted to grow old with you, not wait until I was old to have you.”

“You aren’t old,” I tease. His white hair makes him look distinguished and sexy.

“Tell me I’m not too late. That’s more important to me. Am I too late to tell you how I feel? Am I too late to ask?”

My head tilts, and I lift the closed box. Teasingly, I say, “Officially, you haven’t asked anything yet.”

Brut takes the box from my fingers and lowers to one knee. He opens the case, presenting me with a solitaire diamond on a white gold band. Simple. Classic. Me.