Page 39 of A Valentine's Day Gift
“In two weeks. I’ll tell the boys when they’re done with the train. I’ll come back with Rob to get the house on the market in the spring. And, of course, I expect you to bring the boys to visit. It’s not that far a drive.”
“We will. Absolutely.” He paused, thinking of the huge change for the boys. “They’ll be upset.”
“Maybe, for a short time, but I’ll call. And you’ll keep up Sunday family dinner. Maybe you’ll soon add Allie’s family to the tradition.”
“I love her,” he said.
“I know you do.”
His throat was so tight with emotion he couldn’t speak. Instead he stood, leaning down and kissing her cheek in gratitude. She smiled.
“I need to go see Allie,” he said. “I hope to be back with good news.”
Loretta tapped the kitchen table. “I’ll be right here waiting to hear it.”
Vinny dashed out the door, his kids occupied in the basement, and got into his car. He backed out of the driveway and forced himself to go the speed limit despite the urgent need he felt to get to Allie, to tell her everything right away. This was it. He knew it was right between them, and now that their kids got along as good as boys ever did at first meeting, he was sure it would be smooth sailing from here on out.
He made it to her place, pulled into the driveway, and strode up the front walk, nerves jangling. He went up the front porch, blew out a breath, and rang the bell.
She answered a moment later, looking impossibly beautiful, her blue eyes wide, her cheeks flushed. “Vinny! What’re you doing here? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great. Tonight told me everything I need to know. Allie, I love you. I never thought I’d love again, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found you.”
She gave him a soft smile, her gaze tender. “I love you too.”
“I don’t have a ring yet, but I’ll get one.” He went down on one knee. Her jaw dropped. “Allie, will you marry me?”
She stared at him.
“Allie?”
“Vinny, get up, please.”
Shit. He rose to his feet. “You turning me down?”
She stared at the ground. “I need to think about it.” She lifted her head, her eyes pained. “I only divorced four months ago.”
“So that’s a no.”
“I’m just…this is so unexpected. I need to think about it, okay?”
His gut clenched. “I’ll go.”
She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Thank you for understanding.”
He grunted, beyond nice words. “Night, Allie.”
He turned and left, his limbs heavy. He’d gone for the touchdown pass and overthrew it by a mile.
