Page 49 of Where It Begins

“Me too. It just makes this so much easier, doesn’t it?” I motion between us.

He smiles and stretches his arm across the back of the hot tub, fingers caressing my shoulder. “It definitely does. Miller will probably be out of the house this time next year, but it’s good to know he and Violet can co-exist in the same space peacefully. You know, for future weekend getaways.”

I grin. “Sounds like you’re already planning more of these.”

“Absolutely.”

* * *

We spent most of the day down at the dock, basking in the sun and taking dips in the lake. It’s a beautiful, relaxing day, and it’s amazing to have alone time with Sidney.

In the evening we make dinner together—I manage the parts that don’t require careful monitoring—and we sit outside under the covered gazebo. It’s incredibly romantic with the string lights lining the roof, the small lanterns flickering their fake flames, and the sun setting on the lake.

“This weekend has been absolutely perfect.” I rest my cheek on his biceps.

Sidney kisses the top of my head. “I can think of one thing that would make it better.”

“Oh? What’s that? And don’t say anal.”

He chuckles. “I swear I just slipped that one time. I wasn’t actually trying to get into door two.”

“Uh huh.”

He kisses me chastely and stands. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

“What about that thing that would make this weekend more than perfect?” I call as he disappears inside.

“I’m getting it. I’ll be right back.”

He passes through the kitchen and heads down the hall.

I check my phone for new messages from Violet while I wait for Sidney. She’s at Toby’s for an impromptu Mathlete’s meeting because Toby and Michael are having a freak out about their upcoming competition, but otherwise everything is fine. I’m just so grateful she’s such a responsible young woman.

Sidney reappears a few minutes later with a silver bucket and a bottle of what looks like champagne and two fluted glasses.

“Champagne? You sure you’re not angling for butt stuff tonight?”

“For someone who says she’s so against it, you sure bring it up an awful lot, babe.”

“I do, don’t I?”

“Mm. We can come back to that. Later. After you’ve had a couple glasses of champagne.” He winks and sets the ice bucket on the table, then rounds it so he’s standing in the sunset's halo.

He adjusts my chair and then drops to one knee in front of me.

“I don’t know if outdoor sexy times is a good idea. I’m not particularly quiet and I worry that my screaming might scare people into believing there are wolves lurking close by.”

He grins. “Head out of the gutter for a minute, babe.”

He pulls a small velvet box from his pocket.

“Oh!” I slap a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?”

“It’s not a cock ring.”

I slap his chest. “And you’re on me about getting my head out of the gutter!”

“I love you.”

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