Page 121 of Marrying Off My Husband

I glanced sideways at him as he stared down at his bare feet in the sand.

“Is there some specific question you wanted to ask or…maybe some advice you needed about Eve?”

He shook his head, his eyebrows pinching. “No, I just…just wanted to be sure you and Theo were the right match. It seems like it happened kind of fast.”

“Kind of fast? Darlin’, no offense, but this took long enough. I’d have preferred to have been engaged months ago.”

“Aren’t you worried about this not working out?”

I shook my head. “No, sugar, I know in my heart of hearts it’s right. When you know, you know!”

With a grin, I kissed his cheek and squeezed his arms. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts about your…game.”

“Thanks, Lou. And, hey, Lou,” he said as I stepped toward the house.

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad for you.” As he said the words, I detected a sadness in his eyes, though I couldn’t figure out the reason. Surely, he wasn’t upset over our divorce. Maybe he felt like we’d be less of friends with Theo in the picture, but that wouldn’t happen.

I would be Spencer’s friend forever after what he’d done for me.

“Thanks, sugar,” I answered with a kiss to his cheek before I returned to the house, grabbed my purse, and hopped in my car to break the news to Eve.

I whipped into the restaurant’s driveway and tossed my keys at the valet before I hurried into the restaurant, finding Eve already waiting for me.

As I sat, the waiter asked about drinks. “Champagne, bring the bottle, we’re celebrating.”

Eve’s questioning gaze fell on me as he left with a nod and an order to bring their best bottle. “We are?”

I wiggled my left hand in the air. “We are.”

Her eyes went wide, and she shifted her gaze from my ring to my eyes. “Louise! Are you engaged?”

I nodded before a squeal escaped me. I pounded my feet on the floor before I leapt from my seat and met Eve halfway around the table for a hug.

“Aw, Lou, that’s so fantastic. I’m so happy for you.” The grin on her face spoke volumes, but I caught a flicker of something in Eve’s eyes, a shadow perhaps a hint of sadness or envy. It was gone before I could read it clearly, but it left a seed of doubt rattling in my mind. What was it with her and Spencer today? Was there more going on between them than they were letting on?

“Don’t worry, darlin’,” I said as we sat down again. “You’ll be next.”

She offered a fleeting smile and a soft chuckle. “Well, not yet, so let’s talk about yours. How did he propose?”

“Oh…” I pressed my hand against my heart. “It was so romantic. He had violinists, rose petals scattered into the hot tub we were in. The ring floated over on an inflatable rose. And it’s a honey of ring, I think you’ll agree.”

“It is very big.”

“Just like I like ‘em.” I admired the fat stone on my finger before I accepted my champagne flute from the waiter.

With Eve’s in her hand, I lifted my glass, the bubbles catching the light like tiny stars.

“Now, wait a minute,” she said. “You can’t toast yourself. It’s bad luck.”

“Is it?”

She nodded. “Allow me. To you and Theo, may you find an everlasting happiness together.”

“Aw, thank you, sugar, but we already have. We’re going to be so happy together. And now, I do have a toast if you don’t mind.”

“Well, you are the bride,” she answered.

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