AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, dinner’s on me, is it?”
“Yes.”
Katie chuckles, wandering through to the back of the store. We follow, arm in arm, and while Katie lets herself out the back door, wishing us ‘goodnight’, we go up the stairs to the apartment.
Zara makes straight for the couch, and although I know I’m supposed to be cooking, I follow, and sit right beside her, turning, so we’re facing each other.
“Before I get started on the dinner, can I just say how happy you’ve made me today?”
“Me? I haven’t done anything.”
“Yes, you have. You’ve been right by my side, every step of the way, and you have no idea how good that feels.”
She shifts over slightly and leans against me. “I do, Tanner, because you’re right beside me, too.”
I lean back and stare down at her. “It’s good, isn’t it?” She nods, and I smile. “Wanna keep doing it?”
“Yes, please.” I slide from the couch, dropping to one knee, and she gasps. “Oh… I didn’t realize that was what you meant. I mean… please, don’t…”
“Dear God… the first time I asked you to have dinner with me, you told me not to be ridiculous, and now I’m asking you to marry me – or trying to – you’re practically begging me not to. I thought you loved me.”
“I do… and that’s precisely why you don’t have to do this. You’ve been burned by marriage, Tanner. Badly burned. I can’t ask…”
“You’re not asking. I am… or I would be, if you’d let me?” She hesitates for a second, then nods her head, and I shuffle closer, taking her hand in mine. “Please, Zara… Will you agree to become my wife?”
“You’re sure that’s what you want?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life, babe. This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing. I’ve been thinking about it for some time.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now, do you think you could give me an answer? This floor’s really hard and my knees are killing me.”
She chuckles. “In that case, my answer is yes… even if you are clearly far too old for me.”
“Oh, am I now?”
I stand and lift her into my arms, walking straight to the stairs and carrying her up them, before dropping her on the bed and leaning over her.
“What about dinner?” she says, grinning up at me.
“It can wait, and I can’t.”
“Is that an age thing too?” she says, trying not to laugh.
I shake my head at her, parting her legs with mine and nestling between them. “No, it’s a you and me thing. I’m not that old, baby.”
“Do you wanna prove that?”
“I thought you’d never ask…”
The End
