Page 17 of My Secret Valentine

Lainey's breath catches, and I hold her tighter.

“Speaking of Grandma,” I say, reaching for my keys, “she's picking you up from school today, remember? Piano lessons.”

“And then ice cream,” Maddie adds, carefully putting the album in her backpack. “She promised. And maybe we get some new Valentine’s decorations. Since Lainey's staying forever now.”

“Forever?” Lainey's voice wavers slightly.

“Well, yeah.” Maddie looks up with Claire's matter-of-fact expression. “That's what happens when people love each otherlike you and Daddy do. They stay forever and make a family bigger.”

The drive to school is quiet, but peaceful. At the drop-off line, Maddie hugs us both before jumping out, completely unfazed by the curious looks from other parents. Mrs. Peterson, who once led the gossip campaign against us, even waves.

“That went better than I ever expected,” Lainey says as we pull away. “All of it. The town, your in-laws, Maddie.”

“Did you think it wouldn't?”

“Honestly? I was terrified. That Maddie would feel like I was trying to replace Claire. That the people in town would never give us any peace. That your in-laws would hate me.”

“Hey.” I pull into Perfect Brews' parking lot. It’s our spot, where her car used to sit before we started carpooling. “You're not replacing anyone. You're just adding to our story. Making it richer.”

“I know that now.” She turns to face me fully. “And I've been thinking about what you said. About my stuff being split between rooms.”

My heart skips. “Have you?”

“Yes.” She takes a deep breath. “I want to move everything upstairs. Tonight. I want to wake up with you every morning, not just the nights when we're too tired to pretend we sleep separately. I want my clothes next to yours and my books mixed with yours and?—”

I cut her off with a kiss, pouring everything I feel into it. When we break apart, she's smiling.

“Is that a yes?” she asks.

“That's a hell yes.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I've been wanting to ask for weeks.”

“Why didn't you?” She tilts her head as she speaks and she looks adorable.

“I didn't want to rush you. Or pressure you. Or get more gossip that we’re practically married.”

Her smile widens. “And what do you think about that? The practically married part?”

“I think...” I reach into my pocket, fingers closing around the ring I've been carrying for two weeks. “I think maybe we should make it more than practically.”

Her eyes widen. “Steve...”

“I'm not asking. Not yet.” I squeeze her hand. “But soon. When you're ready. When we're all ready.”

“Soon,” she agrees softly. “But first, let's get my stuff upstairs. Make it official in our own private way.”

“Deal.” I kiss her again, quick and sweet. “I love you, Lainey Stockton.”

“I love you too, Steve Jacks.” She brushes her thumb across my cheek. “Now buy me a coffee before Sarah comes out here and adds 'making out in the parking lot' to her gossip list.”

Inside, Sarah takes one look at our joined hands and grins. “Finally! Does this mean I can stop pretending I don't know you're already living together?”

“Sarah!” Lainey laughs.

“What? Everybody knows. We're just happy you're happy.” She starts making our usual orders. “Though if you could make it official by May first, I've got fifty bucks riding on it.”

“No promises,” I say, but my hand touches the ring box in my pocket again.

Later that night, after we've moved Lainey's things upstairs and tucked Maddie in with promises of ice cream tomorrow, I find Lainey in what used to be her room. She's holding a framed photo of Claire with Maddie as a baby.

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