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“Damn.” He shakes his head. “You two…” He trails off, swallowing. “You got it right.”
“Thanks, Brade. Now, what about you? How’re things with the mystery girl?”
He chuckles. “Good. In the same boat as you.”
“Got engaged already?”
He shrugs.
I roll my eyes and shove at his arm, which makes Harper shriek with laughter. “Liar.”
“I didn’t ask her to marry me. I did ask her to be my girlfriend.”
“Aww. Wait, does that mean—”
“We’re still not doing names. We’re keeping things on the phone for now. She’s studying to be a nurse and working really hard. She wants to wait until she can commit to more than a phone conversation with me each day to do anything more. Because when we finally do, it’s going to be—”
“A big deal. I’m happy for you. Your face lights up like a freaking Christmas tree when you talk about her.”
He shrugs, but I notice some redness creep into his cheeks. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
Glancing out the window at Vince, I whisper, “Yeah, I understand that.”
Braden stands up, and I follow his lead. “Thanks for trying to be thoughtful about telling me. I appreciate it.”
Shaking my head, I glance from where Vince is in the truck and back to Braden again. “Good to see the two of you causing trouble together.” I give his shoulder a little push and he smiles brightly.
This is the progress I was searching for last year. I’m glad we seem to have found it.
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Seriously, congratulations.”
“Thanks, Brade. Okay. I’m gonna go. Let me know if you need anything.”
I lean in and give Harper a big kiss. “I love you, baby girl. Be good for Daddy.”Ugh, saying goodbye to her is still such a punch in the gut.
“Don’t worry. I’ll send lots of pictures, just like always.” He looks at Harper. “Say bye-bye to Mommy.”
“Bah-bah, Mama!” She blows me a kiss, and my heart melts.
I blow her one back and walk out of the restaurant. When I get in Vince’s truck, I slug him hard in the shoulder. “Jerk.”
He laughs and kisses my nose. “You love me.”
“Eh. Maybe.”
He taps my ring. “You love me.”
“Always, you butt.” I reach down and intertwine my fingers with his. “Let’s go home.”
”As you wish, fiancée.”
That’s it. I’m done. Game over. Panties melted. Heart melted. All of me melted into a puddle for him.
Just like always.
