“It was my grandma’s.”
“I know.” Her mom had told me all about the ring. What it meant to their family and how it was to be passed on to Alyssa. One day to one of her children.
She holds her hand out as I slide the ring onto her finger. “When did you talk to them?”
“The day after the wedding shower. While you were at work.” She stares at the ring on her finger.
“No one in my family has ever been divorced. It’s not because of vows either. Everyone has always been so in love. You should have seen my grandparents. My parents can’t keep their hands off one another.” She smiles so big I never want that look to leave her face.
“I saw your parents.” They are in love. Her father couldn't keep his eyes off her mother. I thought it was going to sound crazy to them why I was there. That they’d think I was out of my mind for what I’d come to ask them without them even knowing me. But my fears were put to rest when they said it was how it worked in their family. They said it was tradition. That they know immediately when they meet their soulmates. I’m sure it helped that her mom already started doing all kinds of digging on me. I told her I’d tell her anything she wanted to know. I was an open book to them.
“Right.” She kisses the ring before turning her head and kissing me. I dig my hands into her hair, deepening the kiss. She shifts in my lap. This little whimper comes from her mouth, letting me know what she needs.
“Stop! Don’t go up there!” I pull back, lifting Alyssa from my lap and setting her back down to stand in front of her. I can hear multiple pairs of footsteps bounding up the stairs. Noah is yelling after someone. Fucking hell. What now? Two women burst into my office.
“Mom?” Alyssa pops up from behind me.
“I tried to stop them,” Noah sighs, looking from me to Alyssa and back to the two ladies.
“We’re quick.” The one I’m guessing is Neily’s mom, Bree, winks at Noah. She and Neily look a lot alike.
“Did you ask?” Lydia asks excitedly.
“I see the ring!” Bree shouts.
“She said yes!” Lydia high-fives Bree. “We get to plan a wedding. Finally!”
“I’m twenty-two. You guys act like I’m an old maid,” Alyssa mumbles. I pull her close to me, kissing the top of her head and fighting a laugh. What I had planned will have to wait. For now at least. I know I’ll have a lifetime of making love to my cupcake.
“It won’t stop here. They’ll want grandbabies next. I don’t know what you’re smiling about.” Alyssa looks up at me. I only smile bigger.
“Sounds good to me.”
Alyssa shakes her head at me but she’s smiling. “You have to at least pretend to be on my side.”
“I’m always on your side.” I lean down, brushing my mouth against hers. “But let's be honest. You’re probably already pregnant,” I say before I kiss her, making Bree and Lydia only scream again with excitement.
“One down.” I watch Lydia high-five Bree.
“One to go,” Bree says back. They both nod their heads in agreement. There’s a twinkle in both of their eyes. Which means they’re up to something.
Epilogue
Alyssa
A little later
“We should do this later,” Sean says as he nips at my neck. I let my head fall to the side so he can have all the room that he needs. He takes advantage of it, his hand slipping up my dress as he nips and sucks at my neck. I’m never getting out of the back of this car. My eyes fall closed. How can I be horny again? We had sex before we left the house. This is my own fault. I shouldn't have let him ride with me to the bridal store. I know that he can’t keep his hands off me.
“We can’t.” I let out a moan, making no move to stop him. “The date has been set. I need a dress,” I remind him. Not to mention the fact that we keep going at it like rabbits. At the rate we’re going, I’m going to wind up pregnant, if I’m not already. Then I won't need to look for a dress because I won’t be fitting into one. “You have to go back to the house.” My fingers dig into his shirt. My eyes flick to the front of the giant SUV, making me realize that the driver is gone. I hadn’t even seen him step out of the vehicle.
“You planned this.” My fingers find one of the buttons of his shirt.
“I might have told the driver to fuck off.”
I shake with laughter against him. “You better not have.”
“Smith gets it. He loves his wife, too.”