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“Not yet. We’re almost there,” I assure her.
I lead her along the path to a transparent canopy tent and gently tug the blindfold off. Everly blinks rapidly, taking in the scene as the sun sets. We’re standing on a hill crest that overlooks the lake on the edge of my parents’ property. A rustic wooden table is set for two, adorned with flickering candles and fresh greenery. Two plush chairs are positioned next to each other. Nearby, there’s a smaller table with a food warmer holding our meal and bottles of sparkling water.
“What is all this?” She gapes at me in disbelief. “How did you make this happen? We’ve been together most of the day.”
I wanted to remind her of the magic of Aspen Grove. The last time she came here before we were married, she spent the holidays alone. Now, I want to make new, happier memories she can associate with our hometown.
Jack brought Presley to the same spot when they first got together, but it was on Christmas morning, complete with a horse-drawn carriage. It inspired me to create my own memorable moment here with Everly.
“I had some help,” I admit. “I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”
My parents were more than happy to set things up earlier, and I reached out to the owner of Willow Creek Café, whose chef was thrilled to prepare a special meal for us.
“It absolutely is,” Everly says with appreciation. “Thank you, Stafford.” She winds her arms around my neck and tilts her head up to kiss me.
“My pleasure, Ev,” I say with a warm smile. “Why don’t we sit down and enjoy the beautiful view?” I gesture toward the lake.
I pull out a chair for her, and once she’s seated, I get our dinner. Under the warmer are two plates of seared salmon with lemon dill sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
“This looks divine,” Everly says when I set her plate in front of her.
I take a seat next to her, and we dig into our food as we enjoy the breathtaking view, sharing memories of when we were kids and what we love most about Aspen Grove. The sun dips below the horizon, setting the sky ablaze with vibrant orange, red, and purple hues that cast a warm glow over the tranquil lake. Fireflies emerge, their tiny lights flickering like stars in the night sky. The distant sound of crickets fills the air. It’s a serene setting, one that never gets old.
Once I clear our plates, I lean over to where the drinks are set up and retrieve the individual shots of tequila and whiskey I picked up at Main Street Market earlier.
Everly gives me an amused glance as I place them on the table, her lips curling into a playful grin at the sight of the shots.
“I figured this would be a harmless way to break our streak. Don’t worry, it’s just a single shot. It won’t lead to any impulsive decisions, like marrying your brother’s best friend during a work trip in Vegas.” I smirk. “To our future.” I hold out my shot of whiskey, bringing it close to the shot of tequila Everly has in her hand.
Her gaze meets mine. “To our future,” she echoes, knocking back her tequila in one shot and slamming the bottle down on the table when she’s finished. “Now that I’ve had the time to gather my thoughts, I have something I want to say.” She smooths her dress and turns toward me. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about us, just like you asked me to. Honestly, it’s all I’ve been able to think about.”
“And?” I press when she doesn’t elaborate further.
“We have amazing chemistry, and the sex is off the charts, but that’s not what defines a relationship. It dawned on me earlier that we haven’t talked about the important things. What if our life goals don’t align? Or we think we’re on the same page but find out later that we’re not?”
Everly wasn’t exaggerating when she said she’s been thinking about this a lot.
I cross one foot over my knee and lean back in my chair, settling into a more comfortable position. “I don’t see that happening.”
“We won’t know until we discuss it. I’d like to ask you some questions to start.”
I feel like I’m about to be grilled in a job interview, but I don’t mind.
“Ask anything you want.”
“Do you want kids, and if so, how many?” she asks without blinking.
“Damn, Ev, I would have brought more shots if I knew we’d be getting straight to the hard questions,” I tease.
“Cash, I’m serious,” she warns.
I hold my hands up in defense. “You’re right. I’ll take this seriously.”
“Thank you,” she says, tapping her foot impatiently while she waits for my response.
“I want kids withyou,” I state. “And I like the idea of having at least two so they have a built-in friend, but I’m on board with however many kids you want to have.”
Frankly, I never gave the idea of having a family much thought, but when it comes to building one with Everly? The thought of her pregnant, belly swollen with our baby, makes me feral.