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She’d ordered dinner from Ty’s favorite restaurant that night, and she’d asked him to keep in touch with her throughout the afternoon. She planned to arrive back at his house about the same time as him, with dinner, and they’d walk in together, she’d shout, “Surprise!” and they’d spend the evening together, celebrating him.
Everything went exactly right in her head, and Sage had his house set and ready to go in only a few minutes. After all, it didn’t take long to tie helium balloons to chairs and lamps, nor to hang a banner across the entryway, nor to set out the two gifts she’d gotten for him.
One was a tie of the month club. The man wore a shirt and tie six days a week, and Sage had gotten the subscription that would allow Ty to pick from five ties the one he wanted every month.
The other was a key, and Sage paused as she looked at the tiny box next to the festive envelope she’d put his tie of the month club subscription paperwork in. Hesitation and indecision raged through her. If she gave him a key to her house, what would he think?
That she wanted him to move in with her? That she didn’t want to marry him? That he could simply come and go at her place whenever he wanted? He sort of already did that, no key required.
To her, it meant she wanted him. But getting into nittier and grittier details became muddy for her. Ty was a smart man, and he’d have questions. She pictured him holding up the key, his eyebrows raised, those dreamy eyes filled withWhat’s this for?
She picked up the box. “It’s a key to my house,” she said to the empty kitchen. “So you can…”
What? So he could what, exactly?
Still outside, Sherman barked, and Sage jumped. She slid the box in her shorts pocket and went to let the dogs back in. “Sorry, guys,” she said to them. “But come on. You get to hang out with me this afternoon instead of moping on your dad’s bed.” She grinned at his dogs, and a few hours later, when Ty said he’d be home in about an hour, Sage left his house.
She collected Gypsy from her house, then dinner from The Santiago Grill, and she arrived back at Ty’s before him. “Perfect,” she said.
After herding Gypsy inside and the doggy reunion that followed, Sage laid out dinner on his countertop. She’d just turned to get down plates when the garage door opened. She heard him pull in, and the anticipation and adrenaline racing through her made her throat narrow and her breathing quicken.
He’d know she’d entered his house without him here. Surely he’d checked her car and hadn’t seen her.
The door opened, and her handsome boyfriend walked in. He carried his sexy briefcase bag, and he wore dark slacks, a light blue button-up, and a paisley tie in gold, brown, and navy around his throat.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she said, and his whole face transformed from surprise to joy. Shesawit, and it slammed into her chest a moment later, making herfeelit too.
He tossed his bag to the side as he said, “What’s this?”
“Happy birthday.” She swept her arm toward the food, then where all three dogs sat waiting on the cusp of the kitchen. He’d trained his to sit at a line they wouldn’t cross, and Gypsy knew how to get a bite of human food too.
Sage barely had time to look back at Ty to judge his reaction before he took her into his arms. “Wow, Sage, this is amazing.”
She wrapped her arms around him too, the whole world swaying as she let herself experience the warmth of his body. The happiness seething between them. The tenderness of this moment, where she’d done something for him he really appreciated.
He pulled back and looked at her. “How I love coming home to you.” He kissed her, his mouth hungry at first, but softening in intensity only a couple of strokes later. Sage kissed him back, the world around her falling away.
She fell and fell and fell, until Ty pulled away and she managed to say, “Happy birthday, baby,” one more time.
He didn’t say the wordsI love you, but Sage felt them lingering in the air. She wondered if they came from him or her, but she didn’t say anything either. Fear trapped how she really felt, and she swallowed against it as she moved over to the counter and told him what she’d ordered for his birthday feast.
“And,” she said. “I hope this present isn’t too lame.” She picked up the envelope with brightly colored gifts and party hats printed on it and handed it to him.
He took it without looking at it, those hazel eyes lasered in on her. “I’m sure it won’t be lame.” He lifted the flap and took out the paperwork. It took him a few moments to read it, and then he laughed. “A tie of the month. That’s great.” He swooped her into his arms again and held her tightly.
“This is all so great, Sage,” he murmured. “Thank you.”
She couldn’t remember Jerry ever reacting this way when she’d set up birthday meals, cake, and gifts for him. He’d smile, sure. He’d say thank you, but it had never held this level of…intimacy. Of genuine gratitude.
As she stood in Ty’s arms, the two of them breathing together and their three dogs patiently waiting for the eating to begin, Sage felt herself take one more giant step away from what had gone on in Texas and toward Ty.
Getting closer, she thought, and then she stepped out of Ty’s arms and said, “Go sit down. I’ll bring you your birthday meal.”
“This cake is amazing,” he said without moving to go sit down.
“Bessie helped me with it,” she admitted.
He slid his hand along her waist. “Maybe I can have a little of you for dessert too.” He hummed, took the plate from her that she’d just picked up, and turned her toward him. “Starting right now.” He kissed her again, and Sage had no complaints about that.
