Page 28 of Through the Snow Globe
Linus turned from the arcade game and spotted Diana standing near the door. He waved her over. “Hey, you,” he said when she was standing in front of him. “I somewhat thought you’d cancel on me.”
Diana bunched her brow as she looked at him in question. “O, ye of little faith.”
“Well, it’s the big day of your interview with the boss, right? I thought you’d want to go home and brush your hair.”
Diana narrowed her eyes. “You think my hair needs brushing?”
“No, your hair is beautiful.” He reached up and smoothed a piece and then another.
“I can brush my hair in the car, you know. And apply lipstick too.”
To this, Linus bunched his own brow. “Why are you applying lipstick? Are you planning to kiss your boss?”
With an eye roll that would make Addy proud, Diana held up the bags from Buddy’s Best Sandwiches.
Linus’s jaw dropped. “A woman after my own heart. Is it—?”
“A bacon–cheddar cheese with a pickle on the side? Why, yes, it is,” Diana confirmed proudly.
“Mmm. If we weren’t already engaged, I’d drop to my knees and propose right now.” He nodded a hello to a man standing nearby—no doubt thePac-Manplayer’s father—then led her behind the register and pulled up a stool for her to sit. “Sorry, we’ll have to eat here. Jean called out with vertigo so it’s just me.” He glanced around. “I believe I have the father and son and one other customer lurking around somewhere. A little boy.”
“No, I don’t think so. He was leaving as I was coming in,” Diana said. “He was in a bit of a hurry. And shouldn’t he be in school right now?”
Linus chuckled. “That’s Dustin. He skips school on the regular and borrows things from the store.”
“Borrows?” Diana asked.
Linus sighed. “A nice way of putting it. His foster mother isn’t such a lovely woman so I cut the kid a little slack and give him odd jobs to earn what he takes. On the occasion that I actually catch him.”
Diana sat down and laid her wrapped sandwich on the counter in front of her. “You’re so good with kids. Whereas my younger patients compare me to Elsa.”
Linus took a seat beside her. Then he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Di, I really am sorry about last night.”
She slid her gaze over and laughed quietly.
“What?” he asked.
“It’s just kind of funny now. We were fighting over some cartoon character.”
“Maybe that’s how it started, but it turned into more than that,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have pressured you about the wedding.”
“No, you were right. Ihavebeen dragging my feet. And once this promotion is past us, I promise we can focus on the wedding plans. I meant what I said this morning. We can set the date tonight.” A date that would not be as early as this Christmas.
Linus went quiet. “You know, if you regret saying yes to me, you can tell me. Don’t let the lavender shirt and dog tie fool you. I’m stronger than I look.”
Diana hated that she made him second-guess her love for him. “Why would you think I have regrets about saying yes to you?”
“Well, I popped the question this summer. It’s been months and you haven’t wanted to make any plans. Not even one. One might assume you don’t really want to marry a bloke like me.”
Diana’s lips parted. “No, that’s not it. I love you.”
“I don’t doubt that. I doubt that you want to commit your life to me. Maybe marrying a guy who owns a toy store isn’t how you see your dream life.” There was a sudden vulnerability in his eyes.
Diana swallowed past a tight throat. “You’re not just a guy who owns a toy store, Linus. You’re sexy and you have a heart of gold. You make me laugh more than anyone ever has. You’re good for me. Really good.”
Linus waggled his brows. “You think I’m sexy, huh?”
“Youwouldfocus on that detail.” She shoved his arm softly. “Yes, you’re sexy and not at all full of yourself.” Tipping her head at his bacon-cheddar on rye, she said, “I brought you your favorite sandwich because I’m sorry for being so distant and dragging my feet on the wedding planning.”
