Page 85 of Worth the Wait

“Nope. When we have kids, they’ll have their own room. That one will always be yours.” I leaned down to give her a hug and boop her on the nose.

“I love you, Uncle Patrick.” She squeezed me back before directing her attention to Addi. “I love you too, Miss Addi. I missed you a whole lot.”

“I missed you too.”

“I missed your starfish mac and cheese so much, but I missed you more than the food,” she said, and I swore there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

“I missed you more than the food too,” I whispered in my girl’s ear, and she blushed.

SHOW ME SOMETHING

ADDISON

It was possible that from the outside looking in, Patrick and I might have looked a little crazy to some people. I’d just moved back home after being gone for years, and we were already engaged. But for the two of us, there was no sense in putting off the inevitable. We’d been foolish and treated time like it was something that was guaranteed. Like it wasn’t precious when it absolutely was. We didn’t want to waste any more of it by taking things slow or pretending like we didn’t know our futures involved each other when they always had and always would.

So, when I texted Sarina and told her the news, she responded with,It’s about damn time!

“Baby!” Patrick shouted as soon as he walked through our front door.

I’d never get tired of saying that or thinking it.Ours.

“I’m downstairs,” I shouted, and I heard his footsteps quicken their pace as he hurried to get to me.

He’d neglected to show me the massive wine cellar he’d built when I came here the first time, but after moving in officially, I’d gotten the grand tour, which included said cellar, multiple rooms that I hadn’t noticed before, a pantry that could fit a small family, and a massive detached shed that matched the house. The shed was Patrick’s workshop. Let me tell you, if your man had a workshop, then you’d know just how drop-dead sexy that was.

“Whatcha doing?” Patrick asked as soon as he caught me adding a little artwork to the otherwise empty walls right as Jasper ran up to my side, and I started petting his head.

“Sprucing up the place,” I said with a grin.

I’d been adding some small feminine touches lately while I decided exactly what I was going to do with my life and where I was going to end up doing it.

He looked at my handiwork and then at me approvingly. “I like it.”

“I’m glad,” I said before leaning up to give him a kiss.

“So…” he started to say before he pulled me close, holding me in his arms with a grip I knew I couldn’t wiggle out of. “I have something I want to show you.”

Leaning back, I gave him an inquisitive look. “What is it?” I asked, and he shook his head.

“Come on.” He waved as he let my body go. “I’ll show you.”

He headed up the stairs, and I walked right behind him, knowing that I’d follow that man anywhere he led.

It was only when he made his way toward the door and pulled it open that I realized we were leaving the house.

“Is it outside?”

He nodded.

“No, boy. You gotta stay here,” he said to Jasper, and that was my first clue that something mysterious was afoot.

Jasper looked downright depressed, and I pressed a kiss to the top of his nose.

“We’ll be right back, boy,” I said even though I had no idea when we’d be back.

He whined as he lay down, his eyes sad as we closed the door behind us.

“I’m intrigued,” I admitted as he pulled open the passenger door for me and helped me inside.

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