Page 81 of When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss

She’ll be quitting the firm once she starts law school, and although it’ll take some getting used to not having her around the office, I’m excited for her to achieve her dreams. I’ll be there every step of the way cheering her on, and making sure she has plenty of pumpkin spice lattes at her disposal. One of the perks of having unlimited resources is I’m able to get her favorite specialty creamer year-round.

“You did it, Red.” I wrap my arms around her waist and spin us in a circle, her melodic laugh fills the air, making my heart swell with happiness. These little moments are the ones I cherish most with her. When it’s just the two of us, in our private bubble where every laugh and smile is a precious gift, and the outside world fades away. “Did you talk to Noah yet?” I ask.

Reese nods. “He texted me a few minutes ago to say he got his acceptance letter, too,” she exclaims.

They both applied to the same law schools, so it’s a relief they got into the one at the top of their list. I’m glad Reese will have his support not only as a friend but as a reliable study partner too.

“I love you so damn much,” I say, molding my mouth to hers.

“Mmm,” she murmurs against my lips. “I love you too, Dawson.”

As much as I want to hoist her up on the counter and have my way with her, there’s an important question I have to ask first.

Reese grumbles when I pull back, blinking up at me with curiosity.

I reach into my pocket to retrieve the custom engagement ring I picked up from the jeweler last night. While I agreed to stay out of the law school application process, I may have pulled some strings to get a heads up when acceptance letters went out and to confirm Reese was on that list. I wanted to time this perfectly, and it seemed like the ideal opportunity to make an already perfect day even more special.

I drop to one knee and look up at Reese.

“Dawson, what are you doing?” she whispers.

“I know you want to hold off on getting married until after you graduate, and I can live with that. However, I can’t wait that long to ask you to be mine.” I clear my throat, keeping mygaze locked on emerald eyes, sparking with anticipation. “If I were to list out all the reasons I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, I’d run out of breath before I finished. So instead, I’ll make you this simple promise: Our life together will be filled with love, adventure, and happiness. And every morning, I’ll wake up thankful to have you by my side and to call you mine.”

I take her hand, tracing my fingertips along her knuckles before sliding the engagement ring onto her index finger.

“Aren’t you supposed to ask me a question first?” Reese asks, her lips curving into a teasing smile, while she admires the ring.

“Reese Taylor, make me the happiest man alive and say you’ll marry me?”

She beams as she nods rapidly. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

I stand up, and tug her into my embrace, basking in the knowledge that the person I get to spend the rest of my life with is right in front of me.

We’ve made several compromises along the way, from her moving in and my agreement to wait to get married until she graduates law school. The ring on her finger means I can be a little more patient while she chases her dreams. For now, having her in my bed every night and her clothes taking over half my closet is more than enough. They’re signs of the life we’re building together, and now that she’s agreed to be mine, I’m never letting her go.

When I get to the bar, Harrison is at the far end, glaring at his Old Fashioned like it’s offended him somehow. It’s beena few weeks since we’ve met up. Every spare moment outside of the new firm is dedicated to Reese. She’s with Noah and his boyfriend David, watching a Hallmark movie marathon tonight. It’s their way of celebrating our engagement and their acceptance into law school. I’d do anything for her, but I was relieved when she suggested I grab a drink with Harrison instead.

I slide into the seat next to Harrison. “Now a bad time to cash in my second favor?” I tease.

He’ll be waiting a while for me to collect it. I have something in mind but it has to wait until Reese has graduated law school, no matter how much I want to do it sooner.

Harrison glances over, his expression flat. “I’m not in the mood for your antics today.”

“You’re gloomier than usual,” I observe. “Want to talk about it,friend?”

“Nope.”

I nod at the bartender when he slides over two fingers of brandy. I’m mid-sip when Harrison’s phone rings, and he groans before answering.

“Yes, Fallon?” He asks tersely.

His eyes widen and he slams his fist against the bar. “I swear to god, woman, if you break my hockey stick there will be hell to pay.” Yelling erupts on the other end and his jaw tightens as he holds the phone away from his ear.

“How was I supposed to know it was so damn expensive? It smelled bad so I tossed it out.” Harrison rakes his hand through his hair while listening to Fallon’s response.

“My aversion to fish isn’t the issue, and no, I’m out with a friend, and won’t be back until late.” He frowns when there’s no response. “Hello? Fallon, are you there?” He tosses the phone on the counter, and downs his drink in one gulp. “I can’t believe she hung up on me,” he mutters to himself.

I interrupt his pity party with a smirk. “Is hockey stick a euphemism?”

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