Page 42 of Charming Crosschecks

“For?” Her voice wavered, a mix of suspicion and excitement.

“We’re spending the weekend with my mother,” he said, his tone turning serious. “I want her to meet you, and I want to meet your mother.”

Her breath caught. “You… planned all this? For us?”

“For you,” he said, reaching across the space between them to take her hand. “And because I’m crazy about you, Molly.”

Her heart melted at the sincerity in his voice, the deep timbre resonating in a way that made her soul feel seen and cherished. She squeezed his hand, holding onto him like a lifeline as her earlier nerves unraveled into something warmer, softer—something certain.

“This is crazy,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, almost as if speaking louder might shatter the delicate moment they were sharing.

“Crazy in love,” Gerry corrected softly, his lips curving into a tender smile. The words settled between them like a whispered promise, their weight immeasurable. His green eyes held hers, so full of love, warmth, and unwavering affection that it took her breath away. How could someone look at her like that, like she was the very center of their universe? The intensity in his gaze was staggering, making her heart race in a way she never thought possible.

She never imagined that they would end up here, together, like this. Not after the rocky start they’d had, where every interaction felt like a battle of wills, a clash of personalities. They had gone from enemies to best friends, and now… now this. Whateverthiswas, it felt monumental, as if the stars had realigned just for them.

He made her laugh like no one else could, made her feel special in ways she hadn’t even known she needed, and filled her heart with a fierce, burning love. His stubborn streak, his goofy antics, the way he went out of his way to make her smile—it was all so quintessentially Gerry, and she adored every piece of him.

Before she could gather her thoughts or find the words to match the depth of what she was feeling, he tipped his glass against hers, the delicate chime of crystal ringing softly through the air. It was such a simple sound, yet it seemed to echo with a world of meaning.

“To us,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “To getting to know our pasts a little better, enjoying the present, and deciding on a future… together.”

Her breath hitched, and tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision so she could focus on him—this beautiful, flawed, wonderful man who had just laid his heart bare without actually saying the wordsI love you.But she heard them. Oh, she heard them loud and clear in every syllable he spoke, in every ounce of care he poured into this moment.

“That’s so beautiful,” she managed to say, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions.“And I’m so lucky to be a part of your world.”

“I’m thinking that I’m the lucky one, sweetheart,” he replied, his expression softening in a way that made her want to fall into his arms and never leave.

“To us… and decisions made together,” she echoed, lifting her glass again to sip the tart champagne. The bubbles tickled her tongue, a fizzy burst of joy that almost mirrored the way her heart was fluttering uncontrollably in her chest. She couldn’t believe he’d gone to such lengths to arrange all of this—this intimate, perfect celebration ofthem.

Then, a single thought struck her like a bolt of lightning.

Oh my gosh, is he gonna pop the question?

The notion sent a jolt of panic and excitement surging through her, so much so that she nearly choked as the champagne went down the wrong pipe. She coughed violently, her eyes watering as she tried to catch her breath, one hand flying to her chest while the other gripped the table.

“Are you okay?” Gerry’s voice was sharp with concern as he leaned closer, his brow furrowing in worry.

“Wrong pipe,” she croaked out, her face flushing as she glanced at him—and then down, scanning him quickly for any telltale bulge of a ring box in his pocket. Her mind raced.Was this it?Meeting his mother was awfully sweet and exciting, but she had always envisioned a proposal as something grand, something straight out of a fairytale. Not that she needed the pomp and circumstance, but still… this felt socasual. What if he proposed and things changed? What if they went back to being at odds like they had been in the beginning? Could she risk it? Did she evenwantthat risk?

“What are you thinking?” Gerry’s soft voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “You look lost in thought—and you’re frowning awfully hard over there.”

“The champagne,” she blurted out, her voice a little too loud. “It’s tickling my nose.”

He tilted his head, studying her with a mix of amusement and concern. “I thought it might help you relax so we could celebrate. Do you want something else?”

“Oh no, it’s fine! I mean, whee! Look at us celebrating!” she said, her voice taking on an exaggeratedly cheerful tone that even she cringed at. She hesitated, her heart pounding. “Are we… celebrating? And if so, what exactly?”

“Can’t we just celebrate…us?” he asked, his tone gentle but pointed.

Her pulse skyrocketed.Oh gosh, heisgonna freakin’ propose!

“Sure! Celebration mode activated,” she chirped, forcing a bright smile as she took another sip of champagne, her eyes darting anywhere but at him. Inside, though, she was a swirling mess of nerves, excitement, and a touch of panic. Whatever happened next, she wasn’t sure she’d survive it without combusting.

As the plane touched down in Denver, Molly felt her heart leap into her throat. The moment the jet came to a stop, and the door opened, she was out of her seat in a flash, her hands trembling with anticipation. Outside, the winter sun glinted off the runway, but all Molly could focus on was the silhouette of her mother standing just beyond the door of the private plane. Her mother, her rock, her anchor, was here. The moment she had been longing for was finally unfolding.

Molly's chest tightened as her gaze met her mom’s warm smile, a beacon of love and comfort she hadn’t realized she’d been craving so desperately. She hadn’t been home in what felt like forever and hadn’t shared a quiet laugh or a heartfelt chat with her mother in months. It just wasn’t the same as the conversations they’d had over the phone. The overdue embrace was so near she could almost feel it. She swallowed the lump rising in her throat, her voice barely steady as she whispered, “Mama.”

“Mama,” she said again, louder this time, her voice trembling as she all but ran across the small cabin, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. The moment she reached her mother, she nearly collapsed into her arms, the overwhelming wave of emotion breaking through her like a dam bursting. The scent of her mom’s familiar perfume hit her, a soothing balm for her soul.

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