I look over at Eve and Garrett. Here goes nothing. “I know we’ve talked about this before,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on them. Reese squeezes my hand, I’m sure to get my attention, but I don’t break their gaze. “I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I would like your blessing to do so,” I say formally.
Garrett looks over at Eve, and something passes between them. “You’re already a part of our family. We’d be honored to officially call you our son.”
Our parents gather around us, giving us hugs and congratulations. We talk a little while longer with plans for them to come and see the house when we get back from the wedding. We’re barely in the truck with our seat belts on when Reese smacks my arm.
“Ouch.” I pretend that she hurt me. She didn’t. “What was that for?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
“That—” She points toward the house. “You just did that.”
“I did.” I fight my grin.
“In front of me and all of them.”
“They’re our parents.”
“I know that.”
“They’re going to be there when we say our vows. This is nothing new.”
“You’re acting like we’re getting married soon.”
“I want to.”
“Coop,” she breathes.
“Don’t worry, tonight wasn’t my proposal.” She sighs in relief. “Although, you might want to practice your yes.”
“What?”
“It’s coming, baby. I’m going to ask you one day soon. So you need to work on your yes.”
She bites down on her lip to keep from laughing. “What am I going to do with you?” she asks with a shake of her head.
“Marry me, have my babies, grow old with me.”
Her smile is huge. “I think we can work something out.”Chapter 20Reese“Wow.” That’s the first thing that comes to mind as Cooper pulls our rental to a stop outside Nixon and Tessa’s house. “I’ve seen pictures, but it doesn’t do this place justice.” It’s similar to ours with a full-brick two-story wrap. Their brick is a dark red, and since red is Tessa’s favorite color, I’m sure that’s part of what made her fall in love with this place.
“Kind of like our place,” Cooper says, peering out the window.
“They are similar. I wonder if they have a huge shower,” I say and can feel my face heat. Yesterday after the closing, we went and bought an air mattress before swinging by the condo and grabbing our bags for our flight, our toiletries, and the blankets from Cooper’s bed. We ordered Chinese and stopped to pick it up on the way. We spent the rest of the day in our new home. We set up camp in the master bedroom and ate sitting on the island that’s the size of my entire kitchen in my apartment.
Anyway, the shower… Cooper insisted we try it out last night, and try it out we did. What started out as soft intimate caresses turned into my back against the wall, with the water raining down on us as he took me hard and fast. Shower sex is definitely on the to-be-repeated-as-soon-as-possible list.
“Just think, babe, that’s how we can start every day,” he says, reading my mind.
“Promise?”
His reply is to lean in and press his lips to mine. I open for him just like I always do when he deepens the kiss. I allow myself to get lost in him. He’s mine now. I can do that. And I do every chance I get. When a loud knock comes at the window, Cooper groans and pulls away. “I love you,” he says softly before turning and rolling down the window. “Can I help you?” he asks Nixon and Tessa.
“Get your ass out of the car, Reeves,” Nixon demands. I can hear the humor in his voice, or maybe that’s excitement for seeing his friend.
Cooper chuckles and climbs out, as do I. As I walk to their side of the car, I see the guys exchange one of those bro-hug things they do. Hands clasped and smacks on the back. Then Cooper lifts Tessa into the air and kisses her cheek.
“Reese.” That’s the only warning I get before Nixon lifts me in the air and spins me around.
“Put her down, Nix. I need to hug my best friend.” I hear Tessa command, and my feet are suddenly back on the ground, only to be engulfed by Tessa. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she exclaims.
“Me too.” I pull out of her hug, only to be pulled into Cooper’s arms. I feel like a yo-yo, but I’m not going to complain. These are my three favorite people. They can hug me all they want.
“How’s the house?” Tessa asks as she motions for us to follow her inside.
We head on in, and I can’t help but admire the way she’s decorated. I can’t wait to do that with ours. “We stayed there last night. I feel like I’m living in a fairy tale,” I admit, taking a seat on the couch.