Crazy in Love

We employ one nanny, and so far, Mrs. Westrich, a seventy-four-year-old retired preschool teacher, is working out great. She also cooks. Bonus. Since I gave up on the cooking class, it’s nice to have a home-cooked meal instead of eating out of throwaway containers every night.

After putting Poppy to bed, I jog downstairs, ready to cover a few miles on the treadmill. When I enter the basement gym, Harrison is already on it.

Shirtless.

Sweat dripping slowly down his back.

Defined abs that were made for licking.

Deep tan from his last visit out west.

The man is trying to kill me with that sexy body.

Or more precisely, knock me up again. He can’t get off that four. I like to give him a hard time. That means, I strut around the place in barely-there workout gear when we’re home alone. “Hi, sexy,” I say, leaning against the door.

He spots me in the mirror, a smirk already in play.

“I was wondering if I could have my turn riding that large, oh-so big piece of equipment?” I bite my lip and watch him drool.

“You talking about this treadmill . . .?” He grabs his crotch, cuz yeah, he’s a guy. “Or this big piece of equipment, little lady?”

Tossing my towel onto the weight bench, I stride toward him. “I’m not talking about the treadmill.”

The treadmill comes to a stop, and he hops off. He doesn’t bother wiping the sweat off because he knows that turns me on. Kissing me, I can taste the salt and feel his hardness against me.

“I was thinking maybe we could make another baby.”

This time, the smile is genuine. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He takes my hand and leads me upstairs. When we reach our bedroom, he clicks on a lamp and stands beside the bed. “But first, I want to ask you something.”

A bag of candy is on my pillow, so I reach for it, unsure how it got there. “You bought me Twizzlers? How’d you remember they’re my favorite?”

“Because I remember everything about you, baby.” He drops down on one knee and holds out a ring box.

“And here I was excited about the candy. Are you proposing to me?”

“I am. You’re a woman who buys anything you want, but money doesn’t buy what we have. Love and dedication do.”

I didn’t expect to get emotional. I assumed it would come, and I was actually fine with waiting, but now that I see my gorgeous man and his golden soul kneeling before me, I feel the weight of importance and acceptance at this moment. He gave me that. He gave me the life and love, the confidence, and a hard time when needed. He loved me just the way I am. “I will,” I say, bending down to kiss him.

Weaving his fingers into my hair, he kisses me and then pulls back. “Do you still want me to ask you?”

“Oh, yes. Sorry. I got excited. Carry on.”

“At times, I thought we were crazy. But then I realized we’re crazy in love. I love you with all of my being, Tate. Will you marry me?”

Sitting on his bent knee, I wrap my arms around him, and say, “I will. I do. With you forever and ever.”

And we did, kissing happily ever after.

The End.