Page 78 of Forever Flirting

Her Alex was a dreamer… and that wasn’t real life.

Real life was ups and downs, hits along the way, taking happiness where you could, and building that mental fort within your soul, so when the next hit came, you could weather the storm.

“That’s not real,” she whispered painfully, meeting his eyes and touching his cheek, only to feel him tremble at the simple caress.

“I need you in my life,” he admitted softly, “And you deserve so much more than I can give. I want to give you the house with the white picket fence…”

“I have a house…” she countered.

“I want us to have the wedding of our dreams…”

“Exchanging vows doesn’t have to involve mounds of debt or some garish wedding dress that will be worn for one day.”

“I want to get down on one knee and ask you to marry me…”

“Then do it…” she countered boldly, not blinking or looking away from him – and shockingly enough?

Alex sank before her, there in the kitchen, to both of his knees and stared up at her, his voice emotional, unabashedly speaking as if it was pouring straight from his soul.

“I’ve loved you ever since the moment you ordered a bottle of water…”

“Yes,” she breathed, her heart thumping wildly in her chest, realizing he was actually doing it. He was actually on his knees, proposing, as Caleb came flying around the corner, tackling him.

Alex grunted, hugging his son, and not looking away from her.

“I want you as my partner,” he whispered. “My best friend, my wife, my soulmate, and…”

“Yes, yes, yes…” Everly whispered, kneeling with him as he leaned towards her, kissing her tenderly and choking back a ragged sigh. “I want all of this and don’t care if it’s perfect, so long as it’s with you.”

“I don’t even have a ring yet,” he murmured apologetically, his hazel eyes holding hers. “I should be…”

“Let’s pick something together,” she countered.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“I should talk to your father or your brother and…”

“My father is in Canada and my brother you can see when you return,” she countered… only to hear his nervous chuckle and see that smile on his face.

“You aren’t going to let me win any of these points, are you?”

“Nope,” she smiled, leaning forward to kiss him again – only to have Caleb put his hand on her mouth.

“Noooo, Ebberrleee. My Daddy…”

Caleb leaned up and kissed Alex on the cheek, causing the both of them to laugh and look at each other knowingly. This was going to be a problem if Caleb tried to stop them from kissing every time they turned around.

“Hey buddy… I love Everly, and it makes me happy to kiss her,” Alex said softly, smiling at his son. “You think maybe I can kiss you, Everly, and Nana – and it would be okay?”

“Mebbeee. Go tee Nana, pweeese?”

“Yeah, we’ll go see Nana – right after I kiss my Everly…” Alex smiled, and she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her as she realized they were negotiating with the toddler, who was so much like his father.

CHAPTER20

MAESTRO

---