Page 22 of Breaking His Rules

We returned on a Tuesday evening and both had to work a full day at the restaurant. I’ve been slowly looking into taking college classes online for administrative work. I want something more than getting from point a to point b in a job. Don’t fault me. I love my job now. It brought me to the love of my life, but I want a career. I let Evan know what I was looking into and he said, “Babe, you’re smarter than anyone else I know. You go after what you want, and you’ll only succeed.”

I woke up this morning well after the sun was up in the sky. The first thing I do is reach for Evan. I find the bed empty. Something I hate doing is waking up without him here in bed. He probably had to get up early and work. I don’t have to go in until early afternoon. I lay back in bed and bring my hand into my hair and when it snags on a curl I wonder what it’s stuck in until I bring my hand down and see a gorgeous solitaire diamond on my ring finger. I fly out of bed searching for my phone to call Evan, when I see him on the back patio sitting on the swing.

I run towards him and I’m thankful this thing is sturdy because, I literally jump into his lap and rain kisses all over him.

“I can’t believe you gave me this ring while I was sleeping,” I exclaim.

“Harlow, Baby. I told you, you were mine and I meant it,” he murmurs as he takes my mouth giving me a searing kiss.

We break apart, both of us breathing heavy when I say, “I sure hope this means we’ll be living together now.”

“Was going to talk to you about that. I rent my place now. We can stay here until we find something else or we can stay here and build an addition to the back or make this place a two-story,” he tells me holding my hips to his while I straddle his lap.

“I’d really love to keep this place and make it a home for our children,” my hands go to my stomach. I’m not sure if I’m pregnant or not, but the way we keep going at each other. It’s only a matter of time.

“We’ll stay here forever. I’ll grab my things and be moved in by the time we get home tonight,” he tells me, and I can’t wait to see our things intermingled with each other’s.

“I love you Evan,” I say randomly.

“Love you ‘Lo,” he whispers as he holds me to him. We sit like this for what seems like hours until I glance down at Evan’s watch and notice the time. I’m up and running into the house to get ready. I know today is going to be a great day.

28

Evan

We walk into the restaurant together our hands linked together. I can feel Harlow fidgeting, trying not to find it cute and endearing. I’d never tell her that, but I know she’s nervous.

Last night we stayed up talking about the plans she’s been making to get into college and we both agreed going down to part time at the restaurant is going to be necessary. She hedged and didn’t want to give in, but, when I finally told her that we needed time for us too, her face got soft and she conceded.

I walk into my office and Harlow is with me. I stop us in our tracks when I see the banner, flowers, and cake inside.

Harlow is looking at me with tears in her eyes when Jessica and Daniel walk in with the other employees and yell, “Congratulations!”

My smile has never been this big and I can see tears rolling silently unchecked down Harlow’s cheeks. I turn her so she’s facing me and kiss her thoroughly while using my thumbs to wipe away the tears that keep flowing.

We part ways as Jessica comes up and hugs ‘Lo with a big smile, “You, sneaky thing you! I had no idea until Daniel was putting all of this together this morning. I’m so happy for both of you!”

“Thank you,” I tell Jessica and leave them alone to talk for a few minutes and go to Daniel, he’s cutting the cake so the employees can come in and grab a piece before they have to get out on the floor.

“How’d you know?” I ask him.

“Sebastian called late last night and let me know you introduced her as your fiancé and I just went from there. This is okay, right?” Daniel says.

“More than okay. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for Harlow and me. Sebastian tell you everything?” I question.

“Yeah. That’s a tough thing you did. I think it may have been the right choice though. Splitting your time between all three places, it was bound to happen. But shit, I never thought Diego would put us in that much jeopardy though,” he grouses.

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