Page 73 of Shot Through the Heart

“We should have waited for date night until next week,” Stella says when we’re pulling up to the restaurant. “I feel bad pulling your dad away from a Friday night.”

I reach over and take her hand in mine. “Baby, trust me. Dad’s more than happy to watch her whenever.”

“I know.” She sighs. “It’s the mom guilt. I love having time with you, but then I feel bad that someone else is watching our daughter while I’m having fun.”

I park the car and am at her door before she’s even collected her purse. Once she’s out of the truck, I trap her between me and the vehicle.

Cupping her cheek, I wait for those beautiful blue eyes to meet mine.

“You deserve to have fun. Letting her grandpa spoil her rotten whenever he’s free is the price to pay.”

She drops her head to my chest and groans. “If that entire tub of ice cream is gone when we get home, he’s taking her for the night. The last time he impromptu babysat for us, we came home to her on a sugar high.”

“Yeah, he does have a hard time saying no to her.” I laugh. “But that means she’s safe and having fun. Now let’s go do the same.”

We finally make it inside, following the hostess to the table I reserved weeks ago. It’s in the perfect spot on their patio, mostly private from everyone else, and has the perfect view of the sunset. There are twinkling lights strung up above us, slowly flickering on as the sun dips down.

As we order drinks and appetizers, the small velvet box that’s in my coat pocket feels like a brick. Somehow, I’m able to hold off until after the waiter brings us the food and the bottle of wine I ordered when I made the reservation.

Stella frowns as the waiter sets two wine glasses down with the open bottle.

“We didn’t order that,” she tells him.

I clear my throat and lift my hand. “I did.”

Nodding at the server, I wait for him to leave before pouring us both a glass. “It’s that bottle from Honeywell Winery that you love.”

She bites the corner of her lip as I pass her a glass. She opens her mouth to say something at the same time I do.

“Actually, I can’t?—”

“Stella—”

We laugh at the fact we both started talking. She motions for me to go first, so I do.

Sucking in a deep breath, I stand and round the table until I’m beside her. Stella turns with me, and I pull out the ring box before bending down on one knee.

“I love you, Stella. I know what it’s like not to have you in my life, and I can honestly say, I never want to do that again. You are all that is good and beautiful. You make me want to be the best version of myself. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you’re it for me. You and Harper are the best thing to ever happen to me and I will continue to work to be what you both deserve.”

Stella’s hand flies to her mouth, tears swelling in her eyes as she watches me open the box.

“Stella Owens, will you make me the luckiest man on earth and marry me?”

She’s nodding, tears spilling and a sob breaking free.

“Yes.”

I move to take her left hand so I can put the ring on it, but she snatches her hand back.

“Wait no.”

My heart stops and drops to my stomach.

“No?” I whisper, and for a moment I can’t breathe.

“No. I mean, wait, stop. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. But…” She turns to grab her purse, and I try to calm my racing heart. When she faces me again, she holds out a folded-up napkin. “I need you to look at this first and make sure your question still remains.”

I frown. “Nothing’s gonna change my mind about wanting to marry you, Stella.”

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