Page 117 of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

We sat there for a moment, both grinning like idiots, before she reached for my hand again. “I have an entire box of stuff that you gave me and little mementos of our many adventures. I have movie stubs, pressed wildflowers, even an empty candy box.”

“I had no idea,” I said with disbelief.

“I’ve always thought of you as mine,” she said softly. “Everything in that box is a cherished memory. And, now, you’re here, with me, where I always wanted you to be.”

I looked into her eyes and nodded at her. “And you’ve always been mine, Merritt,” I said. “No matter where we were or who we were with, there was always a part of me that was yours. You anchored me when I needed it, and even when I didn’t know it.”

She smiled and wiped a tear from her eye. “So does this mean we’re official?”

“I hope so,” I said with a chuckle, picking up my dessert spoon. “Are you ready for the ride?”

“Absolutely.”

I waved over the waiter. “Can I borrow a pen, please?”

He frowned but pulled one from his pocket. I quickly checked the yes box and gave her the note back. “It’s official,” I said.

After dinner, we took a walk. The air was cool, the kind of crisp February night that made your breath visible but not totally uncomfortable. I kept her hand in mine, our steps slow because I was still a little banged up. But it felt good to move, to be out with her like this.

“You’re quiet,” she said, glancing up at me.

“Just thinking,” I replied.

“About what?”

“About how much better this is than Riggs’s bar,” I teased, earning a laugh from her. “And about our trip to Florida.”

Her expression softened. “What about it?”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. “You remember that night on the beach? The family playing in the sand?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot,” I admitted. “And I think I’ve changed my mind.”

Her brow furrowed. “About what?”

I stopped walking, turning to face her. “About being a father. Not tomorrow, or even next year. But one day.”

Her eyes searched mine, and a slow smile spread across her face. “Really?”

“Really.” I reached for her hand, rubbing my thumb over her ring finger. “We’ve got a couple of things to check off the list first but yeah.”

“Like what?” she asked, tilting her head.

“House. Ring. Wedding. Babies,” I said, ticking them off on my fingers.

Her laugh was soft, and she stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “We can practice making babies until then, right?”

I grinned, reaching down to squeeze her butt. “You bet your ass we’ll practice, Buttercup.”

46

MERRITT

My heart fluttered in my chest. “Are you serious, Kannon?” I asked, although the look in his eyes answered my question for me. I should have known he would never joke about something so big.

“As a heart attack,” he responded, his voice quiet and serious. “I’m ready for this next chapter with you. We’ll look at the house next week. If it’s right for us, we put in an offer. Unless you’re getting cold feet.”