Page 92 of Trust

Olivia took a gulp of wine and then another. “Well…I guess…”

He dipped his head. “Is that a yes to being my girlfriend or a strong maybe?”

She pushed her lips together. “It’s a yes, Zane.”

Seeing the love in her beautiful eyes made his once shriveled heart expand to twice its size. “I can’t sing, write sonnets, or even cook you a decent meal, but I can fix things.” He pressed a small kiss to her mouth. “I started with the Ferris wheel and hope to end with mending the crack I made in your heart.”

“Your brother said you had a knack for taking things apart and making them better; maybe that’s what you’re about to do for me.”

“I’ve fallen for you, Liv. And I want…I hope that someday I can have the privilege of holding a piece of your heart.”

She looked up. “Silly man, you already do.”

His heart tried to beat its way out of his chest, and he told himself he deserved happiness. “Good! And know that I plan on showing you every day that the fiercest part of me will always protect the softest part of you.”

Pulling him close, she kissed him firmly. “And to think, I didn’t even have to put a spell on you.”

“Babe, you cast your magic the minute we met. There is no more you and me…only us.”

“That’s the best kind of news since I’m going to do my best to love you without a single string attached.”

“It’s you and me from here on out.”

“And the dogs,” she added before crawling into his lap.

“Of course.” The gondola swayed with the weight shift, and he laughed when she scrabbled closer. “Don’t worry, babe, I got you.”

“You better,” she squeaked.

“Trust me. I don’t plan on ever letting go.”

And he meant it. He was all in and planned to show her what that meant for the rest of their days.

EPILOGUE

Two years later

Zane strode across the field that separated the house from the orchard with a basket of peaches and two dogs trailing behind. The strains of Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor cut across the breeze, and he knew that the main dish for their dinner party had just been put into the oven.

His beloved listened to the same playlist every time she created a feast, and he followed the music cues to know where she was in the process. Filling his lungs with spring air, he once again thanked the Creator for sending Olivia his way. He was a year into marriage and couldn’t believe how easy it had been to pledge his life to another human. At least it was with Olivia.

The dogs headed toward the shade of the Ferris wheel, and he pushed through the screen door, holding up the basket. “Success, Liv. We have enough ripe ones for dessert.”

“You are the best husband in the whole world.”

He gave himself a second to appreciate the look of love she shot in his direction and knew without a doubt that he was the luckiest man in the Southeast. “I do what I can, babe.” He set down the basket and then pressed a kiss to her head.

She studied the peaches. “I know that little Esmeralda is going to love these.”

“Nice try.” He ran his hand over her baby bump. “But that name choice is a no for me.”

“Really?”

Leaning back, he studied her closely and realized she wasn’t that invested in the name. Over the last year, he'd learned how to read his wife and knew that the lack of narrowed eyes meant she could give a flying fig about naming their offspring after a minor Disney princess. Not that he wouldn’t give her a little back and forth, so she could have the satisfaction of earning his capitulation.

Pregnancy had changed Olivia’s desire to debate, and the last thing he’d do was deny her the joy of a spirited discussion. Hell, there wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t give his wife. Except for naming their first child Esmerelda. That was just plain mean. Esme would be okay, though. So would the other dozen names they’d agreed on.

“Are you sure that Esmerelda Hawker is a hard pass?” She pursed her lips. “It sounds like a woman who’d be an artist…or a writer…or…”

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