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“No freaking way,” Mom gasps.
“What? Do you know him or something?”
“He and I went to school together. He was obsessed with me in high school, and I didn’t want anything to do with him. Then I met your dad and he backed off.” Her eyes are wide, a look of disbelief highlighting her features. “About a year after your dad died, he started sniffing around again, and knowing he was the same asshole he was in high school, I turned him down.”
“You’re fucking kidding,” I say, looking at Tucker. His face looks just as surprised as I’m sure mine does.
“It’s true! He got pissed at me for telling him no, and then I had a couple of creepy moments with him afterward. I talked with Cooper’s dad, who was the police chief at the time, to see if I should do anything about it. He said there wasn’t much I could do unless Edward threatened me. I think he found out I talked to Rob and stopped bothering me then.”
“Jesus… So, he’s been butthurt all this time because you didn’t go out with him?” I am stunned by this revelation. I guess now I know the answer to my questions.
“It seems so, honey. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with him. I didn’t know he was on the council or I would’ve said something sooner.”
I shrug my shoulders because there’s nothing she can do about a guy who bothered her years ago. “I mean, it’s not your fault he can’t take rejection. And, until recently, I didn’t realize it was mostly just Edward creating problems for me. I thought it was the whole council.”
“Well, I’m still sorry, but I’m glad you got the funding you needed. I know you were worried about it.”
“I was, but now I’ll be good to go for a while.”
I look at Tucker who’s been quiet most of the evening. I mean, he’s not normally a chatty Cathy but he’s been unusually silent this evening. “You okay?” I ask to make sure.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He smiles at me, and I nod my head. Mom looks at Tucker with a raised eyebrow as if she’s waiting for something but then moves on just as quickly. We keep eating, Mom and I dominating most of the conversation while Tucker listens on. Once we’ve finished up dinner, Tucker serves us cheesecake for dessert. Also, my favorite.
“Is there a particular reason you’ve made all of my favorite foods tonight?” I ask Tucker, taking another bite of the delicious cake.
“Uh…” He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something and then shakes his head and smiles. “No, not really. Just thought you deserved it after all of the hard work you’ve been putting into the library.”
“You’re so sweet, Tucker, and I am happy I got to enjoy it as well,” Mom says, picking up her plate and taking it to the sink. I grab Tucker’s hand and pull him in for a kiss to say thank you.
We all work together to finish the dishes. Once everything is clean, Tucker and I head back to my house.
He still hasn’t said much, and I would normally be worried about it but he’s holding my hand, so I don’t think it has anything to do with me.
Pulling into my driveway, I look over at him and see he’s fidgeting with his fingers. “Do you want to come in?” I ask, just in case he needs some time alone.
“Of course, I do,” he says, looking at me like I’m crazy. I just nod my head because I don’t know what else to do. He must just be in a weird mood tonight.
We walk up my steps and Tucker stops me from opening the door.
“Nat…” he starts, and I wait for him to get whatever he needs off his chest.
He looks me in the eye, and I can see anxiety and nerves swirling in his dark eyes. “You already know how much I love you, but I don’t think you truly understand the impact you’ve had on my life.”
He takes a deep breath. “For a long time, I didn’t think I deserved you, which is why I never did anything about my feelings for you. I know my dad poisoned a lot of my thoughts, but I also was afraid you’d be brought down by the darkness I carry. I underestimated you, and I’m truly sorry.”
His words are heavy, weighed down by years of regret, and I can’t stand that he’s carried this burden for so long. I lift my hand to his cheek, both to comfort him and myself. It’s hard to believe this amazing man thought he wasn’t good enough for me when all I’ve ever wanted was him.
“There’s nothing you need to be sorry for, Tucker. I think the time away from each other made sure we were both in the right place to make this relationship work.”
He smiles at me, his body relaxing as his muscles lose the tension they’ve been carrying.
“You bring so much happiness and spark to my life, and selfishly, I want you around all the time because of it. These past few months have reminded me what’s important, you are important. I want you forever, and I hope you want the same thing,” he says, and suddenly he’s kneeling on the ground.
“Holy shit!” I exclaim, my hands flying to my mouth in surprise. Tucker just laughs at my curse.
“What do you say, Nat? You wanna get married?” He pulls out a ring box from his pocket and opens it to a beautiful emerald surrounded by diamonds.
“Sweet baby Jesus. Are you serious? You want to marry me?”
