“Walking you to your car.”
“You know it’s literally fifteen feet away, right?”
“And?”
“And I can manage to get there safely.”
I shrug. “I’m sure you can, but I’ll be by your side when you do it.”
“What am I going to do with you?” She shakes her head with a smile playing on her lips.
“Marry me.” I throw it out there, knowing it’s not a true proposal. Knowing she’s going to laugh it off like she has the hundreds of other times I’ve asked her since getting her back.
“You know, just because we’re having a baby, you don’t have to keep asking me. We’re still doing this together.”
We’re standing beside her car. She’s staring up at me, with so much love and a hint of worry in those green eyes of hers. My hands cradle either side of her face. “I’m asking you because I should have fought harder for us. I’m asking you because the divorce never should have happened. I’m asking you because you are the love of my life and I want nothing more than to grow old with you.”
Her eyes well with tears. “I love you, Harrison Drake.”
“And I love you, Gwendolyn Drake. Now drive safe, and let’s get my loves fed.” I kiss her lips and pull open her door. I wait until she’s settled and strapped in before shutting her door and jogging back to my truck.
“So, how’re the plans for the third location coming?” Winnie asks once we’ve placed our order.
“It’s coming along. We’re at the part where the construction crew is ready to start painting. We’re on schedule for the grand opening a month from now.”
“I’m so proud of you, Harrison. You took a dream and turned it into a reality.”
“Thanks, but I would trade it all, every location for another shot at this,” I say, motioning between us. “I never should have let it get between us like I did.”
“We were both at fault, and stop bringing it up. It’s done. Over. We’re past it and moving forward. We are doing this together,” she says with a soft smile as she rests her hands on her small bump.
“Harrison,” a female voice says. Looking up, I see Gina, my new admin assistant, standing next to our table.
“Gina,” I greet her, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.
“I wish I’d have known you were going to be here. I would have brought the samples so we could go over them.”
“Gina, you remember my wife, Gwen.”
“Ex-wife I thought,” she says, holding her hand out for Winnie to shake.
“Enough.” My voice is low and menacing. “She is my wife, and you will refer to her as nothing but. Do you understand?”
“Harrison.” Winnie slides her hand across the table and places it over mine. “It’s fine.” She turns her attention to Gina. “Yes, on paper I’m his ex-wife, but we are very much together and raising this baby together.”
“Of course.” Gina is quick to backpedal.
“I’ll be back at the office later.” I dismiss her.
“Sure, then we can—”
I hold up my hand cutting her off. “Later, Gina. I’m having lunch with my wife.”
“Harrison, I—” I give Winnie a look that tells her this isn’t up for negotiation.
“Right. I’ll see you in a little while. It was good to see you again, Gwen.”
“You too, Gina.” Winnie gives her an apologetic smile before she’s turning on her heel and walking out of the restaurant. “Harrison,” Winnie says, grabbing my attention. “You were hard on her.”
“That’s my job. Not to be her friend, I’m her boss. The boss that has told her more times than I can count that you come first. If I’m with you, she’s not to interrupt, unless it’s an absolute emergency. Paint is not an emergency. Not to mention, I’m still pissed off that I almost missed our appointment last month.”
“Almost,” she says gently. “She’s learning; cut her some slack.”
“No.” There’s something about Gina that rubs me the wrong way. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s there all the same. “She needs to know her job and what’s expected.”
“Okay,” she concedes, obviously seeing that this conversation is going nowhere fast.
Our waitress brings us our food, and we both dive in. There is a lull in conversation as we eat. “I was thinking,” I say, taking a drink of my sweet tea. “Maybe we should look for a new house.”
“What? Why would we do that?” she asks, swiping her french fry through ketchup.
“Something with a bigger yard, and a couple more bedrooms.”
“We have three bedrooms.”
“I know, but once Peanut arrives, that leaves us with one spare for guests. And then when peanut number two arrives, that leaves zero.”
“Number two?” she asks, barely containing her smile. “Just how many peanuts are there going to be?”
“At least two, but I’ll take as many as you’ll give me.”
“Let’s start with this one.” She glances down at her belly. “I like our house, but the idea of a bigger yard is appealing.”
“A fresh start of sorts.”
“The house we live in now, we bought it together. It’s not like we had other people there.”
“It was just a thought. We don’t have to.”
“I’m not against it. I guess if something were to come up, then we could consider it.”
“Consider a house and marrying me?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood a little. I know I overreacted with Gina, but I can’t seem to help it.
“I’ll take both requests into consideration,” she agrees, pushing her plate away from her.
It’s not a yes, but it’s the closest thing I’ve gotten to a yes since we’ve been back together. I’ll take it.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” I ask, not wanting to end my time with her.
“Mom has been on me to register for a baby shower. I’m thinking about making a list of things we’re going to need.”
“I can go with you. Tell me when and I’ll be there.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. I want to be involved every step of the way.”
“You’re a good man, Harrison Drake.”
“Good enough to marry?”
“I did once.”
“Yes, but will you do it again?” I counter.
“Hmmm, it’s a possibility.”
“A damn good one,” I say, standing from the table. “As much as I hate to say this, I need to get back to the gym. I have a few things I have to do today, and then when I get home tonight, we can go over that list. Maybe even go to the store and start a registry?”
“Let’s just see how the day goes,” she says, not committing.
I know why, and it pains me. I used to make plans to be home early, or on time even, and then never make it. She’s used to the old Harrison, the one who didn’t put the love of his life first. The new Harrison, the man I am now, the man who knows life without her refuses to ever go back.
“I’ll be home at five thirty,” I assure her.
“I’ll be there.” She smiles up at me. “Thank you for lunch.”