Page 38 of Someone to Remember
“I remembered he likes that combo.”
“Not sure where he first had that, but he loves it.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, you know… Just seeing him smile… Thank you so much for today. It meant so much to him to play catch with you and to have the pineapple. Not to mention calling you by your first name.”
“I should’ve asked you first.”
“No, not at all. It was perfect just like that.”
He runs a hand through his hair, leaving it disheveled as he releases a sigh. “Today started out rough and turned into a good day.”
I want to reach over and straighten his hair, but I don’t dare touch him. God knows what that’ll lead to with five little kids underfoot. None of us is ready for anything more than what this is right now.
Friendship. Comfort. Understanding.
With a side of attraction tossed in for good measure.
I’m going straight to hell.
Lexi
Today has been rightout of a dream. Tom planned every minute, right down to a candlelight dinner at the restaurant where we reconnected after not seeing each other since high school. That was the night he casually offered me a way out of my parents’ basement, where I’d been living since my husband, Jim, and I moved in with them after he was diagnosed with ALS.
More than a year after Jim’s death, I was stuck in the place where my worst nightmare unfolded because I was saddled with crippling debt from his illness. Now, I’m in love with Tom, and my dear friend Joy found a way out of the debt through a program for people like me, and suddenly, life is sweet again—and getting sweeter all the time.
I had no idea Tom was planning to propose today. I thought it was just another autumn Saturday spent doing something outdoors. Every weekend is another adventure. We’ve hit a number of fall festivals, done some long hikes and taken a pumpkin-carving class at a local garden shop. So when he suggested Skyline Drive today, I didn’t think anything of it beyond a fun day in a beautiful place.
As we ride home from the restaurant, I can’t stop staring at my ring, which reflects each streetlight we pass. I told my Widows, because of course I did, but I still need to tell my parents, who’ll be absolutely thrilled for both of us. He needs to tell his sisters. We’ll do that tomorrow in person rather than with a call or text.
The news will keep.
After Jim’s horrific illness and premature death, I honestly never expected to feel this kind of joy again. I thought that was over for me, and in a way, I was fine with it because my relationship with Jim was extraordinary in every way. I had my great love, and I was grateful for every minute I spent with him, even the difficult time at the end.
But then came Tom to show me that I still have a great big, beautiful life left to live and that joy and love are still possible.
He reaches over to put his hand on top of mine, his thumb caressing the stunning diamond ring he gave me earlier. “How’re you feeling, hon?”
“Thrilled, excited, stunned, happy.”
“All good things, right?”
“The best things. Thank you for the most amazing day.”
“I was so nervous this morning. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”
“Why were you nervous? You knew I’d say yes.”
“I was worried about doing it at Skyline Drive. I debated that endlessly, but my gut kept pushing me in that direction. I wanted Jim there with us. I thought that was important.”
“It was perfect, and the fact that you thought of him makes you perfect for me.”
“He’ll always be part of us. I promise.”
“My widow friends talk about meeting guys who are threatened by the fact that they still love their late husbands. They can’t handle sharing someone, even with a dead man. It means a lot to me that you’re comfortable with keeping my love for Jim part of our relationship.”
“Of course it is. He’s part of you, and I love all of you.”
