Page 199 of With a Cherry On Top

“Are you kidding? You made her wait adecade.”

Me? I was ready to marry her two months into our relationship, when she came to my place and changed the bulb of a perfectly working lamp just to show me Amelie had taught her how to.

She was so happy, dancing around the kitchen of my minuscule apartment to the latest Midnight Reckless album, only shorts and a bra on.

I knew I wanted to spend my life with her.

But I didn’t ask, because tying herself to someone was the last thing she needed after craving independence for so long. Instead I just stood by her side, watching her spread her wings. Long-distance when she left for college, then no distance when she came back and decided not to move back in with Amelie and Ian.

We’ve been living together ever since, through her first job, which she hated, and the second one, which had her working sixty hours a week. All the way to something that makes her happy.

“Why now?” Sadie asks, still tilting the box to see every part of the ring.

“It feels like the right moment.”

It is, right? She’s on her way to being promoted to senior designer. We’ve moved to a bigger place—with an extra room “just in case.” She’s been hinting at being ready for the next phase of her life.

And it sounds like she’s planning to do it with me.

“Do I have your blessing?”

Though I expect a snarky little comment, her lips twist and she nods frantically. “Of course, Dad.” She hugs me again, and I can hear her sniffle against my shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

She leans back, and once I wipe away the single tear down her cheek, she peers down at the ring. “So how are we doing this?”

“Well, I?—”

“There you are!” Charlotte says as she comes out of the back entrance. From the corner of my eye, I see Sadie close the box and shove it in her pocket. “I came to see if your dad was still waiting for you.”

She walks around me, brushing my shoulder, then hugs Sadie. “Happy birthday, kiddo.”

“Thank you, Charlotte.”

Sadie’s widened gaze meets mine over Charlotte’s shoulder, and I shrug. I didn’t come up with a plan. I figured Sadie and I would talk about it, craft the perfect moment. We’ll have to discuss it some other time.

“Is he keeping you here against your will?” Charlotte asks, probably sensing the weird vibe. She holds Sadie’s shoulders, then turns to me. “It’s her birthday, Aaron. Christmas is for family, birthdays are for friends.”

I raise both hands. “She’s free to go.”

“Hm.” Focusing on Sadie again, she says, “Your gift is waiting for you in the living room.”

“Is it?—”

“Uh-huh. A spectacular red leather dress that will give Finn a headache.”

“Excuse me?” Did she say leather?

“Because the red is really bright!” Charlotte says. She turns to Sadie, and I’m pretty sure she winks. “Try it on.”

“Can I wear it tonight at the party?”

“No,” I say without thinking, but I quickly realize she wasn’t asking me.

“Yes, if it fits right, it’s ready to be worn.”

Sadie squeals, then runs off into the house.