Page 68 of Live Love Steal
“Noah?” she asked.
“At your mom’s.”
“For the night?”
That was the plan. “Yeah.”
She leaned forward and turned to study me. “Is Sharon moving back here?”
My sigh answered for me.
“She’s not getting custody.”
Damn, that was fierce. “She’s not. It’s probably going to change our plans, though.”
We’d talked, Izzy, Noah, and I had. About making this family thing legit. On paper, a wedding, adoption papers, the whole nine yards. But nothing was set in stone yet.
Speaking of… I reached into my pocket and pulled out the tiny black box. I set it on the edge of the fireplace. The gas flames silhouetted its dark velvet shape.
This was not going like I planned. I’d wanted music, food, kisses, then slip to one knee, tell Izzy how much I loved her, then surprise her with the ring.
Izzy stared at the ring box, then at me. “Bad day, huh?”
“I’m worried about how Noah will react.”
She glanced at the framed paintings. “He’ll be fine. He’s a lot stronger now.”
Did she mean that? Was it true? What if? I took a long breath through my nose and exhaled through my mouth.
“Are you going to be okay?”
Her soft question was classic Izzy. Always worried about me or Noah. “Why are you with me?”
“Easy, you’re the hood rat who happens to be just like my dad.” She grinned as she tossed Audrey’s description of me at me. “Mom said Drey’s dating a musician now.” There was an incoherent sound of disgust between thoughts. “I wish she’d grow up.”
I let her stew in peace for a moment before asking again. “Seriously, why? I need to hear it tonight.”
Isobel locked her eyes with mine to show she was sincere. “You are kind. You go the extra yard. You string up probably miles of fairy lights to make our patio look like heaven. You are talented, sensitive, loyal…” Her fingers threaded through my hair. “And I love you. I couldn’t love anyone else more, except maybe Noah. But that’s okay because you two are a package deal. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I leaned on her. As I did, I pulled the ring box off its perch. “You are the most beautiful, stubborn, iron-willed, generous, loyal, loving woman I’ve ever met. I didn’t know love before you, except maybe for my son. But you… you’re everything to me. I want—” Here’s where I should open that box and show her the ring, but I hesitated, trying to get a clearer picture of our future in my head. “I wanted this night to be perfect. But somehow, I think we both needed a reminder of how strong we are together. When I’m weak, you’re my rock.” My voice failed.
“And when I’m weak, you’re mine.” She covered my hand with hers and leaned on me.
We stayed like that until I worked up the courage to crack open the box and hold the ring I’d picked out for her under her nose. “What do you say, we make this official?”
She laughed. There were tears in her eyes. “I say it’s about time.”
Isobel held out her hand, and I slipped the band over her finger. It wasn’t nearly as beautiful as she was. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
She paused.
“We should call Mom and tell Noah, shouldn’t we?”
I thought about that for a minute. “We have the entire night. And an empty house.”
Izzy looked around. “I locked the door. Did you take Bear’s key from him?”
