Page 41 of A Valentine's Day Gift
“Oh, shit, don’t cry.” He pulled her close, pressing her head to his chest. “Never mind. You don’t have to get a massage.”
They were happy tears, but she couldn’t stop crying long enough to explain. Vinny was worried about her being a mom to six boys, and wanted to take care of her. He experienced all the same tensions and never broke a sweat. An amazing man. He pulled his weight as a dad to his kids and had treated hers just like his own from day one.
He squeezed her tighter. “Allie, please stop crying. I feel terrible.”
She lifted her head. “I’m happy.”
His eyes widened. “You are?”
She wiped her tears from her cheeks and sniffled. “Happy tears.” She pulled back from him and went down on her knees.
He stared at her. “Maybe we should, um, move somewhere more private.”
She laughed. “Those were happy tears because I just now realized what a great husband you will be. A great partner. Vinny, will you marry me?”
“You’re asking—yes!” He grabbed her, lifting her right off the ground and spinning her around, making her laugh. He set her on her feet and framed her face with his hands. “This is the best Valentine’s gift I’ve ever gotten.”
“Me too. You know why I fell so hard for you?”
His thumb stroked her cheek. “Why?”
“You have soul. I’ve never met a man so open and expressive.”
He stilled. “That was Maria. She formed me. She was the one who was so open and expressive, and I tried to meet her halfway. I was still a kid when I fell for her, seventeen, and it changed me. She gave me that. I guess in a way she gave me you, since you like that about me.”
“Ilovethat about you.” She paused, thinking of his first love. “Maria sounds like a very special woman.”
He pressed his lips tightly together. “She was. Angel’s a lot like her.”
“Angel’s a fantastic kid.” Her throat tightened. “Vinny, I know I could never take her place. I would never try to for you or your boys.”
“I don’t see it like that, one person replacing another. It’s more like, you and I, we’re in a different place now. Therightplace for each other.”
She hugged him tight and he wrapped his arms around her, surrounding her with warmth and love. He’d waited for her to be ready, for her boys to be ready, and welcomed her in with open arms.
A promise kept.
