Page 108 of Why Not Now?

She rolls her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that. What doyouwant?”

“I’d like to get married at Blue Vista. If you want a summer wedding, we’ll have to figure that out or wait a couple years. But I’m really fine with whatever.”

“That’s it? Married at the wedding venue you run?”

“I’m an easy man, Ava. When I dreamed of my wedding, the only thing I ever imagined was the woman I’d be marrying. And that’s you.”

She blushes a pretty pink and I reach across the table to take her hand, playing with the two rings she now wears. I lift it toward me, placing a kiss on her knuckle.

We talk for a while about the future and drink our beers. We’ve talked more about her and Lacey moving into my place, and I think we’ve almost decided. It’ll be a little tight for three people, but with Lacey determined to live on campus when she goes to university, it’ll only be for a while.

I can’t stop playing with the rings on Ava’s finger, loving the feeling of knowing she’s mine.

“So, who do you want to tell first?” she asks.

“Probably Lacey.”

“What about your friends?”

“Maybe we can invite them all over for dinner tomorrow night. Tell them and Lacey at the same time.”

“And just hope no one notices my new ring?”

I shrug. “It’s not very big.” I stroke my finger over hers below the set. “It should be fine.”

“Shall we head out, then? I kind of want to get you home.”

I chuckle, rising to my feet, drawing her with me. “Are you telling me you only want me for my body?”

She rubs against me, tugging my head down to kiss me. Then she whispers, “No, Derek. Ineedyou for your body.”

I groan and drop my forehead against hers. “I wanted to do something first, but then I’m taking you home, sweetheart.”

“What do you want to do?” she asks, still pressed against me.

I blink away the haze of lust and tug her back to the bar, pulling out my wallet. The big guy is still there, watching us approach. He doesn’t smile.

“Hey,” I say. “Is the owner or manager around?”

“That’s me,” he says. “My brother and I own this place.”

“Excellent.” I hand him my business card. “I’m Derek.” I turn to Ava with a smile. “This is my fiancée, Ava.”

When I look back at the guy, he’s examining my card.

“Okay,” he says.

“I’m the acquisitions coordinator for Blue Vista Events. It’s an event venue downtown. Pretty popular. We try to source as much as we can from local vendors. And your beer is awesome.”

“It is.”

Man of few words.

“If you’d be interested, we’d like to partner with you. Get your beer in for events that serve alcohol.”

He grunts, looking up from the card. “You can make decisions like that?”

I nod. “I’m part owner with three of my friends. I can make decisions when it comes to products.”

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