“What’re you thinking about?” Sebastian draped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple.
“Food.”
He laughed. “You’re outta your mind.”
He wasn’t wrong.
I smiled and took a sip of my drink. “So what do you think about my family?”
“They’re a hoot.” He smiled too. “I’m kinda looking forward to going back on the road now, though.”
“Lordy, me too.” As much as I loved my nieces and nephews, all together, they were a handful and a half.
Besides, this would be my first vacation with Sebastian. We’d left Mischa, Echo, and Tiger Lily with Sebastian’s grandfather so that we could take the long way home and see some sights together. Oppy and Percy didn’t take up any space, and we didn’t think it was smart to be away from Nala so soon, so we’d brought them with us. They’d tag along while we crossed a few places off our new bucket list. Like sunrise at the Grand Canyon, rock climbing in New Mexico, fishing off the coast of southern California, and hiking in Redwood.
The fishing trip had been a Christmas gift to us both from Dad.
I sighed contentedly and took another swig of the bourbon. “I really think we should get an RV.”
Sebastian snorted in amusement. “Are you gonna pay for it?”
“Pshh. People take out loans to buy vehicles all the time,” I said. “Think about it, darlin’. You finally ask me to move in with you, we have two pretty stable incomes, our livin’ expenses are low, and we wanna see the country together. An RV would be perfect. No hotel hassle, we could bring the dogs and Lily wherever.”
He grinned. “You think it’s time I ask you to move in?”
“When was the last time I slept at the guesthouse?”
“Fair point,” he conceded. Humor and affection glinted in his eyes. Other than the porch light, only the moon let us see each other properly. The street was quiet and dark, covered in a glistening blanket of frost. “I guess…maybe I was waiting until I thought you were ready for another conversation.”
I raised a brow in question.
“What’re your thoughts on marriage?” he asked.
I smiled lazily. “All for it.”
I wasn’t even remotely nervous or worried. This fall had solidified everything for me. Any uncertainties life brought me now, we’d face together.
Sebastian smirked softly and leaned in for a kiss. “Right answer.”
Damn right.
I kissed him back unhurriedly, tasting bourbon and the chocolate dessert we’d had second servings of mere minutes ago on his tongue.
“I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you too.” I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to express how much. “Did we just get engaged?”
He chuckled. “I don’t know. Did we?”
I inched back to rest my head on his arm, and I searched his eyes, still feeling incredibly at ease, not to mention stupidly in love. And yeah. It felt right. I was ready to start a new chapter with him. Or a whole new book, one that would be just ours.
“I think we did.” I could picture him in a nice suit. A ring on his finger. Maybe we’d get hitched on the beach where we lived. Maybe we’d elope and then have a barbecue when we got home.
He cupped my jaw and dipped down again, kissing me hungrier, deeper, and harder.
When he broke away, he had his eyes closed, and he traced my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “How did I ever see you as the enemy?”
I pulled him to me so his forehead touched mine. “You were clearly an idiot.”
He laughed through his nose and kissed me quickly. “Clearly.”
It was a horrible time to interrupt us, which was what my brother chose to do right then and there.
He poked his head out, dressed in his pajamas. “Apologies if I’m intrudin’, little brother.”
“You’re not,” Sebastian said, being too polite and shit.
“What’s up?” I untangled myself from Sebastian and looked over to David.
He came out and closed the door. “I was wondering if I could bring Nala to the clinic tomorrow.”
A chill went through me, and the dread followed. “You gotta be fucking kidding me, David.”
He blinked. Then he finally got it. “Gosh—no! Not like that, Blake. I’m sorry. Christ. It’s nothing bad, I assure you. I think she’s pregnant.”
Preg…
What?
I blanched.
“Oh shit.” That was Sebastian.
I shook my head quickly, needing understanding. Fast. “Uh. That’s not…” possible. A glance at Sebastian gave me doubts. Was it possible? Nala had only been around our dogs. Oppy and Percy were out of the question for several reasons.
“Echo was fixed when I got him,” he said. “Mischa wasn’t. He’d been used for breeding.”
Holy fuck.
“He banged our girl?” I blurted out.
“Congratulations?” David asked rather than stated.
“Heh.” I didn’t know how to react.
“I don’t know for certain,” David said next. “But generally, if you can detect outward signs, the dog is fairly far along. My guess is you have about a month to go, give or take a few days.”