Page 130 of At First Smile
“Hey, luv,” he greets me.
The breath wooshes out of me. At the edge of the kitchen island, Rowan leans in a dark suit. GB, in a silver bow tie, sits beside him, his head tilting between us.
“You look… Wow. Just, wow.”
“Not nearly as gorgeous as you,” he murmurs, closing the distance between us. His big hands come to my hips and pull me against him.
“Whatyoudo to suits,” I purr, running my uninjured hand along his muscular arm, taking in how the fabric hugs his defined physique. “You have to wear a suit before and after all your games, right?”
His hands trail up my body and swipe across my wicked grin. “Something tells me, you’re going to enjoy the hockey season.”
“So much.” I bat my lashes. “Where are we going for our date?”
“Follow me.” Threading his fingers between mine, he guides me towards the patio door.
Stepping out, I gape. Strings of lights zigzag above us and wrap around almost every surface. The back garden radiates in white light, allowing me to take in everything.
“What is this?” My cheeks almost hurt from the intensity of my smile.
“I wanted to take you somewhere that you’d feel comfortable to get around without Cane Austen. I got Gillian to make all your favorites.” He motions to the food-laden patio table. “It’s not the taking you out that I planned, but technically we’re outside, so I figured this counts. I hope this is ok.”
“It’ssook.” My mouth meets his.
The first few chords of a slow version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” begin to play, pulling my attention away from Rowan. My gaze falls onto a man, an acoustic guitar in his hand, tucked into the backyard’s corner.
“Hey, Pen,” the man says as he continues to strum his guitar, his familiar voice tickles my memory.
“Harley?” Blinking, my eyes jump between Harley and Rowan.
“I called in a favor.” His voice is filled with amusement.
“You flew Harley in to play a private concert for us?”
“Michigan Ed Sheeran has grown on me.” A smirk punctuates his tone. “Dance with me, please?”
“Yes.”
Rowan leads us down the two steps from the patio to the little brick walk that cuts across the center of the small yard. In the middle, beneath the twinkling lights, he holds me close. His fresh scent melds with jasmine from the garden and the cool ocean breeze. Looping my arms around his neck, I nuzzle into his collarbone. His palms rest at the small of my back. There’s something perfect about the way we fit together.
“I remember the first time we danced.” His fingers rub lazy circles against my back. “From that moment, it was clear I was always meant to dance with you,” he says softly.
“I love you so much,” I whisper.
“As big as the moon.”
My head tips up, a chuckle escaping. “What does that mean?”
“Dad would say to Mam that his love for her was as big as the moon. It always seemed a little cheesy, but I don’t mind being cheesy with, or for, you.”
“As big as the moon.” Rising to my tiptoes, I press my smile to his.
After our dessert-only dinner and more dancing, Harley leaves. Rowan scoops up the platters of treats and returns them to the kitchen. GB snores on the couch. Plates clank as Rowan puts the leftover brownies, cookies, and cheesecake away. Leaning against the counter, I soak into the domesticity of this.
In such a short period, this has become my life. Not the surprise romantic evening with an impromptu concert and decadent sweet-filled dinner, but one with this man. Going to bed together. Waking up together. Just doing life together.
“Rowan—” The stampede of my heart almost drowns out his name. “Do you want to move in with me?”
He turns and stares at me, a Tupperware container half-filled with cookies in his hand.
