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“Hmm?” Row’s phone falls on her chest and her eyes meet mine.
“You only ramble about that stuff when you’re nervous about something.” I remind her. Rowen is the most compatible I’ve ever been with, but I don’t think it has anything to do with our zodiac and everything to do with finding my soulmate.
“I do not.” She sits up and stretches, flashing me a teaser of pale skin on her stomach.
“You do. Tell me what’s on your mind.” I pat the spot on the couch next to me and she scoots into it, leaning her head on my shoulder. It’s been four months since I moved in. Four months since I showed up with a literal U-Haul and changed my whole life for the better.
“It’s nothing. I just like to remind you that we’re supposed to be together, the stars say so.” She tips her head and kisses my cheek. “Is everyone still coming tonight?”
I sigh. “You can’t just change the subject, but yes, they’re all still coming tonight. They better! There’s enough food to feed the whole town when Tuesday has a book signing.”
The grandfather clock chimes from behind us, and we both jump, listening to five chimes. We have exactly one hour to get prep done before the first Madison-Morgan bonfire of the summer begins.
An hour later, I’m an anxious mess. I think she knows my plan, she’s acting sketchy and weird, talking too much, waving her hands around. I’m not sure that bodes well for me, but I can only hope that if she knows, she’s excited and not dreading it. Row is flitting around, red shorts barely covering her ass, white tank top showing off enough skin to make my mouth water. She glances back at me occasionally, beer in her hand, cheeks pink with sun.
“Morgan. Flip the burger.” Collins slides in next to me, trying to take the tools from my hand. “She looks just like she did ten seconds ago. Now flip the burger.”
“Fuck off. I can grill without a man’s help.” I move my eyes to glare at him.
Collins throws his hands up in surrender. “Got it. You’re nervous.”
“I am not,” I snap at him, flip the burgers, and sigh.
“Right. She’s not Reggie.” He pulls another water bottle from the cooler and opens it. “She’s going to say yes.” I pat the pocket of my cargo shorts when he says it. The ring I bought last month is tucked safely inside. It’s perfect. A modest diamond, just big enough, but not gaudy. I swallow hard.
“I know she’s not Reggie.” I watch Rowen lean down to pat Nora’s growing belly and my chest aches.
“So don’t stress.” Collins pats my shoulder roughly and jogs over to grab up his son, Cruze, before Nora tries to lift him. Rowen catches my eyes, blushes, and looks away. I start putting burgers on buns, piling them high in a pyramid, and trying not to feel the weight in my pocket. My future resides in the box and her willingness to say yes to what I have to offer.
Music plays from the Bluetooth speakers on each table, neighborhood kids squeal in the middle of a water gun fight, and almost everyone has eaten or is eating when I finally get the courage to reach for my phone and turn down whatever pop country song is in the top ten this week. Before the phone is in my hand, Rowen stands up, winks at me, and climbs up on the bench across from me. She puts her fingers in her mouth and lets out a high whistle that gets everyone’s attention. The chatter quiets and I fumble to turn down my phone and all the speakers along with it. My heart jumps into my throat. I knew I was too obvious. I knew she would find out and spoil it, but I had no idea she’d do it so spectacularly.
“Thanks everyone!” she calls out, her voice shaking. I have trouble swallowing. “I’m Rowen and I’m glad you all came. There’s plenty of food so get seconds or thirds if you want it, I just ask you don’t litter on the gorgeous lawn my girlfriend mowed last night.” She glances at me, face red, and looks back to the crowd. I watch her hand tremble as she reaches for Tuesday sitting next to her. Tuesday puts something in her hand and the lump in my throat drops straight to my toes. “Everyone here was so welcoming when I crashed into town a few months ago. You helped me renovate my house, clean up decades of cobwebs, and taught me how to own a bookstore. I wanted to show my new family how much I appreciate all of you, so I fed you.” A few people laugh and Row lets out a dry chuckle.
“Rowen.” I’m not sure why her name comes from my lips when she meets my eyes.
“I also wanted to celebrate today with you all for a different reason. I was lucky enough to meet Janet my first few days here and the second I saw her climbing into the back of my car, I knew I was in big trouble. It’s been the best trouble I’ve ever found, and I can’t believe I lived so long without her. Now that I have her, I don’t want to let her go, and I know she hates this attention so much, but…” Her eyes meet mine again and my whole body combusts. I know we have sixty people on the lawn, watching us, but the tears in her eyes are only for me.
“Row…” I try again, fishing the box from my pocket and squeezing it in my palm.
“I want everyone here to hear me say, Janet Morgan, I love you and I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?” Rowen opens the box, but I can’t look at it. I stare into her deep blue eyes, pull my hand from my lap and flip the top of my box open as I extend my hand to her. The box she was holding nearly falls into a cup of lemonade, but she fumbles and grabs it. Her eyes go from the box in my hand to my eyes.
“You stole my speech.” I break the silence and a few people chuckle. Rowen hops down into the grass and runs around the long table at the same time I stand, and I catch her as she flies into my arms. Her lips hit mine and there’s clapping and whistles all around.
“Is that a yes?” Rowen cups my face in her hands. I nod. “She said yes!” Rowen screams out and kisses me again. I take the ring from the box and slip it on her finger. She offers my ring to me, and I take it, not moving away from her, and open it. A plain silver band sits nestled inside. I let her slip it on my finger and grab her to kiss her.
“We even think alike. See, I told you.” Rowen’s dangerous smirk makes my heart swell and my knees weak.
“What did you tell me?” I slide a hand around her waist and pull her body flush with mine.
“It was meant to be. And before you tell me you don’t believe in that crap, remember that we are in public, and my emotions are very raw and happy.” Row mock glares at me.
“I’ll never doubt your star thingies again,” I lie and press my lips to hers. I don’t care if it was fate, luck, or the stars. I’m just happy to call the sassy, gorgeous woman in front me, mine.
