Page 46 of Nolan

I kneel down to her level, showing her the card. "Your daddy wants us to dress up for dinner tonight."

She giggles, covering her mouth with her tiny hands. "I know a secret."

"You do?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"Daddy has a surprise for you," she says in a sing-song voice, twirling away before I can question her further.

All afternoon, I try to coax more information from her, but she just dissolves into fits of giggles every time I ask. By the time five o'clock rolls around, my nerves are frayed with anticipation.

"Come on, sweet girl," I say, taking Ashlynn's hand. "Let's get you ready first."

I help her into the pale blue dress we bought for her cousin's wedding, brushing her curls until they shine. She looks so much like Nolan, it makes my heart ache with tenderness.

"Your turn, Anna." she declares once I've secured the butterfly clip in her hair.

In my room, I stand before the closet, indecisive. I finally settle on a simple emerald silk dress that I've been saving for a special occasion. It hugs my curves in a way that makes me feel beautiful, the color bringing out the green flecks in my hazel eyes.

The doorbell rings again just as I'm sliding my feet into silver heels.

"I'll get it." Ashlynn's voice rings through the house, but I hurry after her, knowing she can't reach the lock.

When I open the door, a different delivery person stands there with several insulated bags.

"Dinner delivery for the King residence," he announces.

"But I didn't order," I begin, then realize this must be part of Nolan's plan.

As the delivery man sets up containers of what smells like my favorite Italian dishes on the dining table, headlights flash through the front window. Nolan's truck pulls into the driveway.

"Daddy's home." Ashlynn squeals, running to the door.

I thank the delivery man and tip him, my mind racing with possibilities. What is Nolan planning?

He walks in, Ashlynn already in his arms, and my breath catches at the sight of him. Even covered in concrete dust, with his dark hair mussed and his jeans and t-shirt work-worn, he's devastatingly handsome. His eyes find mine immediately, and that same electricity from a year ago crackles between us. Only this time, it's familiar. This time, it's welcome.

"You look beautiful," he says, his voice low and warm. "Both of you."

I blush, suddenly self-conscious in my fancy dress. "And you look like you've been working hard. Dinner's here, but maybe you want to clean up first?"

He nods, setting Ashlynn down. "Give me ten minutes."

I busy myself with arranging the food, setting out the plates and silverware, lighting the candles I found in the cabinet. Ashlynn helps, placing the napkins just so, her excitement bubbling over.

"Is it time yet?" she asks for the hundredth time.

"Almost, baby. Let's wait for your dad."

When Nolan returns, the transformation steals my breath away. He's wearing a crisp blue button-down shirt that makes his eyes impossibly bluer, and dark slacks that fit him perfectly. His hair is still damp from the shower, and the scent of his cologne, woodsy and masculine, drifts toward me.

"This looks amazing," he says, taking in the candlelit table.

We sit down to eat, Ashlynn chattering excitedly between bites. I can barely taste the food, though I know it's delicious. There's something in Nolan's gaze, something intense and purposeful that has my stomach in knots.

Finally, as we finish our meal, I can't stand the suspense any longer.

"So, what's the occasion?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nolan reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. His palm is warm against mine, calloused from years of hard work.

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