Page 111 of Headed for Home

“Sure was,” I croon.

He hooks an arm around me, hauling me flush against him. “Hey, beauty?”

My chin rests on his sternum as I admire him. “Yes, trouble?”

His hands gather mine. “I have a very important question to ask you.”

Between the tender timbre of his voice and the fact he’s stroking my left ring finger, assumptions rush to the surface.

“Will you,” he pauses to gulp and my answer prepares itself on the tip of my tongue. “Dance with me?”

“Yes!” I blurt. Then I blink. “Oh, what?”

But Drake is already taking the lead on this foul play. His wolfish grin greets my parted lips before he spins me. Our arms fold when he brings my back to his front, skipping us forward. We’re quickly facing each other again while gliding into formation.

I recognize the style immediately. “You know how to two-step?”

“Taught myself when we first started dating.”

“Of course you did,” I laugh. “Good grief. How is this my life?”

Drake twirls me again before we stride ahead. “You fell in love with me.”

My heart sings to the beat of riding off into the sunset. “Best. Decision. Ever.”

Beauty:Heyyyyyy. Bad news.

Me:Uh-oh. You have hemorrhoids?

Beauty:…

Beauty:I’m not going to entertain that with a response. Anyway, I need to cancel tonight.

Me:Why?

Beauty:Just because…

Me:If you don’t give me a real reason I’ll assume it’s hemorrhoids.

Beauty:Omg. You’re ridiculous. Shawn needs to swap weekends so I have the kids. We’re going for a ride and having a lowkey night. I’ll make it up to you.

Me:I’m on my way.

Beauty:What?

Me:What?

Beauty:Why are you coming over?

Me:For our date…

Beauty:But my kids are home.

Me:And?

Beauty:That changes our plans. It’s Friday. I’m sure there’s somewhere else you’d rather be.

Me:Babe. If I’ve ever given you that impression, I owe you a grand gesture. Should I clean your gutters? Power wash thehouse and barn? Restack the hay? Mow the lawn? Vacuum and dust?

---