Sweet Little Nothing

"In the very first row." He hands me my bag. "And when they call your name, I'll be the one cheering the loudest."

"Love you!" I say, darting inside before I get too emotional.

* * *

STERLING

"Is it still on?" Gabe asks from where he's seated beside me.

"Yeah.” I nod decisively. "Definitely."

"Are you nervous?" Zach asks, peeking around his now husband.

"Nope. Not at all." I lean back into my seat, resting my ankle on my knee.

"My, my." Gabe shoots me an amused look. "Aren't you confident, Mr. Abbot?"

"Fuck yeah, I am!" I exclaim, causing someone in the row behind us to shush me. All three of us turn around and glare. Like they've never heard someone drop an F-bomb before.

"You're positive she's gonna say yes?" Gabe asks, playing the devil's advocate like he loves to do.

It took a long time for us to warm up to each other, but now we're so close that we talk daily.

"How could she say no?" I ask, just as the lights overhead flicker, alerting us that the ceremony is about to begin.

I zone out for most of it. Graduation is graduation. I'm only here for one thing, and that's to watch my little mouse claim her diploma. Although, I guess she's not much of a mouse anymore.

No. She's bold and vibrant and the bravest person I know and, if everything goes right today, she'll eventually be my wife. Emmalyn Abbot has a ring to it, and I’m about to put a ring on it.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I almost miss them call her name.

"Emmalyn Price."

I jump to my feet, along with Zach and Gabe, clapping and whistling and cheering like we're at a football game, as she walks across the stage.

She looks my way, and I wink, mouthing the words proud of you, baby.

* * *

"Proud of you, sweets," Gabe says, shouldering me out of the way so that he can hug her first.

The blond giant is also a giant asshole.

"Thank you!" She smiles up at him and then hugs Zach.

I'm practically pouting by the time she makes it to me. "Best for last," she whispers in my ear, before slinging her arms around my neck.

"Damn straight, baby."

"Are y'all joining us for dinner?" Emmy asks.

"Ah, no can do," Zach says. "Gabe here has an interview."

"This late?" Emmalyn's eyes widen. "Where? With who? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's online because of time differences." He shrugs. "And, I didn't want to jinx it."

"Okay, well. Good luck! Break a leg. Whatever applies."

Gabe shakes his head. "You're too much, sweets. I'll let you know the outcome."

They hug again and then it's just the two of us. "You ready?"

"Starving. Wanna tell me where we're eating?"

"Why do you always want to ruin my surprises?"

She rolls her eyes. "Fine."

We drive with the windows down and the radio on, enjoying the fresh mountain air.

"Oh!" A smile flashes across her face as recognition sets in. "Café on the Corner, huh?"

I park the car and cut the engine. "That's right. This is where I took you on our first date, so it seemed like the right choice for today."

"Hmmm." Emmy climbs out of the car and I follow.

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure you made it quite clear that our lunch here was not a date."

"Fair enough. But if I wouldn't have brought you here, I don't think we would've ended up here."

She smiles softly. "Here's a good place to be."

I stop her from reaching for the door and pull her off to the side, wanting a private moment before we head inside. "Anywhere is a good place if you're there."

Emmalyn laughs...loudly. "Who knew big-alpha-macho-man Sterling Abbot was such a softy?"

"You're the only person I'm soft for."

She licks her lips and drops her eyes. "I like it better when you're hard for me."

"Dammit, baby, if you keep this up, we're not gonna make it to lunch."

"I've got something you can eat." She bats her lashes and steps in closer.

"That's enough." I place my hands on her shoulders and nudge her back a step. She's too damn tempting, and while I'd love nothing more than to take her home and devour her, I've got fucking plans.

"Okay, fine. But only if you get me nachos."

"I can handle that." I clasp her hand in mine and pull her back toward the door.

She glares at me as I pull it open. "Cheesecake, too."

"Consider it done."

"Your same table?" the hostess asks.

Emmy nods, but I say, "Actually I was hoping we could sit outside today."

"What? Why?" Emmy cocks her head to the side.

"It's a beautiful day," is all I say in reply, glad everyone is sticking to the script.

"I guess." She crinkles her nose. "You're acting weird."

"If y'all will follow me?" The hostess leads us out onto the patio, which I've rented out just for us.

Fairy lights twinkle overhead, casting a romantic glow over the whole space, while soft music pumps from the speakers.