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Theo nods, and I feel his stubble rub against my cheek. “He interviewed for a job here in Seattle. Maybe now he’ll take it.”
I chuckle. “For Eve?”
Theo shrugs. “When you know, you know.”
I tilt my head to the side and kiss his cheek. He opens his mouth to say something but snaps it shut. His eyes dart to the middle of the dining room and I follow his gaze and my heart races.
Tommy drops to one knee and pulls a ring out of his pocket. It’s as if the entire party stops just to watch them, to share in this beautiful moment. Lauren covers her mouth with shaky, excited hands, tears welling in her almond shaped eyes.
Tommy clears his throat. “Lauren Sophia Reyes, I fell in love with you in biology class in the ninth grade and didn’t have the courage or confidence to tell you. But when we bumped into each other at aFriendsTrivia Night two years ago, I felt like God had given me a second chance with you. Loving you the last two years feels like I finally found the half of me that I never knew was missing. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Lauren, will you marry me?”
I suck in a breath as Lauren bobs her head, grinning ear to ear, tears streaming down her round face.
“Of course, I will marry you, Tommy.”
Tommy slips the diamond ring onto her finger, stands up, and kisses her while the guests cheer and applaud their New Year’s Eve engagement.
Theo releases me and walks over to the bar to whisper something in the bartender’s ear. She rushes to the back to retrieve bottles of champagne and begins to pour flutes for all the guests to celebrate.
I catch myself biting my bottom lip as I watch Theo. Dressed in a black suit, black button-down shirt, and dress shoes, he looks like a sexy character from a dark fantasy novel. He is confident and moves around the bar with an ease I wish I could bottle and drink every morning to conquer the day. I enjoy watching him work – he’s in his element – and my desire for him explodes inside of me. I thought he couldn’t find a way to be more attractive, yet here I am licking my lips and overheating to the point of needing to take a cold shower. A feat I thought impossible, he has once again accomplished.
“Tommy Thai actually did it.” Eve’s sudden presence startles me. She rests her head on my shoulder and I fan myself with a napkin I snatch from the bar.
“Yeah,” I nod my head with a sad smile. “He did it. He’s growing up.”
“I hate to admit it,” Eve accepts a glass of champagne and takes a sip, “and I will deny every saying it, but I’m going to miss living with him.”
“Me too, Ma.” I sip my champagne watching Tommy and Lauren whispering in each other’s ears, smiling like they just won the lottery. “Me too.”
“It won’t be long before you leave the nest yourself.” Eve pokes me in the ribs with her pointy elbow.
We both glance behind the bar as Theo helps fill glasses with champagne. He must feel our eyes on him because he tilts his head toward us and his smile has my uterus burning.
“Not yet,” I shake my head, my eyes still glued to Theo’s, “but soon.”
“Well,” Eve lifts her glass, “here’s to the time we have left as roommates.”
I shoot her the evil eye. “Don’t think you have me fooled. I saw you all cozied up to Isaac Pilipo.”
“Wait,” Eve’s mouth drops.
I never catch her off guard. Is this how she always feels? I could get used to this.
“You know Isaac?”
I bob my head and take another sip of my drink to hide my smirk. “He’s Sarah’s little brother. Sarah is Theo’s new sister-in-law.”
Eve recovers from her temporary surprise and waves her fingers in the air like she is casting a spell. “Well, whoever he is, he is yummy.”
“Eww,” I crinkle my nose. “Gross.”
“Gross?” Eve chokes on the word. “What do you mean gross, Kit Kat?” Her hand flies to her popped out hip.
“Yummy? What a cringy word to describe someone. He’s not a snack, Ma.”
“Oh, he most certainly is, Kit Kat.” She wiggles her eyebrows flirtatiously at him across the room. “And I will eat my fill.”
I swat her arm.
