Page 118 of Grave Misgivings
So much love.
When he opens the door, my stomach does a little flip. His bright eyes find mine and he shakes his head, smirking. His dark hair frames his face, a welcome accompaniment to the thick beard that highlights his perfect tan and pink lips.
Thirty looks good on him.
“I should have known,” he says as Katy throws her arms around him.
Angel yips, twisting in my mother’s arms, and he grabs her, shaking his head with a wicked smile. Angel wags her tail, bathing his arms in kisses.
“You sounded way too excited on the phone,” he says, shooting Katy a glare.
Katy sips her sour apple martini and smirks at me as I walk across my kitchen, one hand in my pocket, warm against the box I’ve been carrying around for the last week.
Zeb rubs Angel between the ears.
“This does not look low-key, sunshine,” he says, but his voice isn’t angry or unhappy.
It’s warm, sweet.
“It was either this or Good Morning America,” I tease.
Angel twists in his arms, licking the back of my hand.
Zeb rolls his eyes. “Mhmmm.” His gaze travels to Katy’s drink.
“There’s champagne, too.” I smile as I grab Angel and set her down. I need his hands available for what I’m about to do.
“Champagne, huh? You sure that’s a good idea?” he teases.
“Well, thirtyisa big deal,” I say. “Definitely deserves the good stuff.” I grin. “Some might even say thirty is where it all begins.” I smirk as I pull the box out of my pocket. I don’t miss the gasp from my mother, or Katy.
“What is?—”
“Your gift. Open it,” I say, offering it to him.
He takes it, his fingers shaking as he regards me with a suspicious gaze.
Angel throws herself over our feet, her tail smacking my bare feet.
My heart is in my throat as he opens the box. He flashes his verdant gaze at me with a delicious smirk.
“This what I think it is?” His tone is full of pure love, but there is also a touch of humor.
“That depends, what do youthinkit is?” I tease him.
“I think it’s a very pretty tungsten ring.” His smile lights my heart. “With very, very sparkly stones.”
“Do you like it?” I take the box from his hand, removing the ring from it’s velveteen casing.
His smile is everything.
He is my everything.
“Yes,” he responds, licking his perfect lips. His voice doesn’t shake, and I can’t help my own smile.
The levity of his answer isHeaven Sent.
“I love it,” he says as I grab his hand.
