Page 61

Liv

...Nearly One Year Later...

I check my watch for the third time, sighing when I realize it's been almost 20 minutes since he was supposed to be here. I'm practically shaking with anticipation, and as I set the last plate of dessert on the table inside the kitchen, I smile as the arrangement comes together.

Whiskey and cinnamon are strong in the air, and I smile as I straighten the vase of green lilies and button poms that decorates the center. Outside, streaks of orange and purple paint the sky and fade into the cerulean water of the Drumstone river. The open patio doors allow a chill breeze to dance inside, and when I hear someone yell my name, I call back,

"Just a sec! Don't come in yet!"

I shoot off a quick text before grabbing my bag and resting it on the hook in the foyer. Aleks' cane clacks against the hardwood floors, and I twist in time to see him descend the stairs.

His eyes widen as he takes in the scene, grinningas I stand in the middle of it. "Shit- I should've dressed up a bit more."

His slacks and knit sweater are perfect for the occasion, but I know he's complimenting me more than anything. Skar and Charlotte deserve a proper wedding shower- one they got a say in. Plus... planning tonight has been the most fun I've had in ages.

I smile, propping a hand on my hip as I stand beside him and admire my handy work. Skar and Charlotte's home in Venine is stunning- and I've gone all out with twinkling lights and brass candelabras. Even the dock outside is clad with gorgeous mix-matched tables and lanterns dangling from the trees. It helps that there's enough food to feed an army.

"I did a pretty good job, if I say so myself."

He nods. "Never seen so many flowers. It's perfect."

"Think they'll love it?" I ask. He hums softly. "Even Skar?" I quiz again.

"Do you love it?" he turns to look at me, and I can't help but admire the space again.

It's perfect.

The exact image I imagined in my head. I had the creative freedom to do anything I wanted. And I did.

"I do. I love all the green," I comment as I check my watch and look for any new text messages.

Still nothing.

I shake off my impatience before meeting Aleks' eye. There's a knowing look on his face, and I swat him playfully.

He shrugs, strolling toward the patio. "He'll be here. Geez, I never took you to be so impatient."

"Tell Charlotte and your brother we're ready," I tell him as he disappears outside. "And I'm not impatient," I murmur, freezing when I hear the floorboards creak behind me.

"Just prepared," Crew answers, and when I see him, I can't help my smile.

"You clean up nicely," I say, commenting on his navy dress shirt that's unbuttoned to reveal a tan slice of his chest. That paired with his new brown slacks and he looks effortlessly sexy.

But I refrain from commenting on it, strolling to him instead. I stop just before I reach him. "Well? How did it go?"

His eyes sweep over me, and I'm sure that even if I wasn't wearing a pretty green sundress, he'd still smile. He leans against the door jam, satisfied look and all, untucking a hand from his pocket. A ring of shiny silver keys dangles from his finger.

It takes everything in me to play things nonchalant. It's been six months since he set his eye on getting hisown office space. Six months of long nights spent restoring this damn office building he wasn't even sure he'd keep the keys to... because real estate in Sutton is more than a pretty penny.

He's worked his ass off for this.

But I shrug knowingly. "Somehow I knew you'd get it." He hums, the sound low and all too sexy. "I was getting worried though. I thought you said you'd be here by six."

"Well, I stopped by your office to get a couple of things." He proffers my planner, the golden font flashing in the low light. I nearly laugh as I stroll forward and lift my hands to his shoulders.

Probably forgot it again.

"You are a godsend," I say, standing on my toes to kiss him.

He tugs me closer, nipping my lip gently, but I draw back, setting my planner aside before glancing out the window for any sign of Aleks, Skar, or Charlotte. I see them on the dock, laughing and drinking from the flutes of champagne I left for them.

Are they coming in? I wonder, but I turn to Crew andsmile again. "What else did I forget?"

"You didn't forget anything." I distractedly look out at the river again, knocking so they know to come inside. But I don't see them anymore. Crew is closer now, less than two feet of space between us. "I did."

At that, I look at him, but he isn't looking at me. He's looking at the simple emerald box on the counter.

I freeze.

I freeze because I know that shape. The same, small ring-sized box I've seen at every wedding I've ever planned.

It takes me several long moments to put the pieces together myself.

My boyfriend is holding a ring box in his hand, and somehow, I still find myself wondering where he got it from.

"What...?"

I can't even finish because Crew reaches for my hand, laughing quietly. "Do you remember when Taylor took that job from that family outside Sutton? When we decided opening an office would be a good idea?" I nod. Tears threaten to fall when I see the honesty, the vulnerability, shining in his eyes. "I bought it that same week."

"But that was almost a year ago!"

He laughs again as I stare at the box. "I had to ask your Dad. And it took me entirely too long to arrange it into something you'd like. Some of the stones are from the ring my Dad gave Mom when he proposed."

Which means Dad, Jimmy, and Theresa were in on this too.

"Crew-"

"Mom slipped the stones into my pocket when we visited earlier this year. Charlotte helped me choose the setting."

I stare at him for far too long. Somehow, words are stuck in my throat. I shouldn't feel as surprised as I do, but...

Crew rubs the back of his neck. "You're killing me, Princess. At least look at-"

"Yes," I say immediately, casting the box aside.

"You haven't even looked-"

"I don't need to see it to say yes. And I am," I say shaking my head, absolute. "Saying yes."

Crew steps so dangerously close, filling every inch of space between us. His heat sears into me, the scent of his cologne warm and crisp. I watch as he raises a hand and playfully tugs at the bow tying my hair back.

"I can't give you everything you deserve..." he rasps quietly. "But fuck, if I don't die trying."

"Crew, will you shut up, put the damn ring on my finger, and kiss me please?"

I laugh when he reaches for the box with shaky hands. He slips the ring onto my finger, and I hardly have a moment before he sweeps me into a spinning hug around the kitchen. I'm laughing and smiling and kissing him like I've wanted to all day. It's not until he sets me down again that I hear clapping and cheering from the door.

We turn just as Aleks, Skar, and Charlotte step inside... and I'm surprised when I see my father behind them. My heart swells with love, and even as Crew wraps an arm around my waist, I can't help the tears that leak down my face.

"There's absolutely no way I could have hired someone else and kept it from you..." Charlotte laughs as I swipe my tears. "So surprise! You planned your own engagement party!"

My laugh is choked by more tears. "I was wondering why I had so much creative freedom." At the sight of everyone here, the crying almost doesn't stop.

Crew leans down, whispering, "Will you look at it now?"

I finally glance down at the stunning rose-gold band on my finger. It's not like any ring I've ever seen before. No gaudy diamonds, no common solitaire. The thin band is interrupted by a gorgeous step of square, glittering stones. Tiny gems accent each of the emerald cuts, and it's easily one of the most beautiful rings I've ever seen.

I'm stunned.

I turn and kiss him again, loving that he doesn't pull away first. "I love you." I punctuate it with another kiss. "Absolutely adore you. Do you know that?"

He smirks, and everyone parts to let my father step forward.

"And you..." I start, trying not to think about the kind of conversation it must have been to get my father's blessing.

"It was an easy yes, Button." He drags me into a hug, and while normally, it would be short and sweet, I squeeze him even tighter. "Your mother would have loved him," he says, and my heart stalls.

She would have.

But he squeezes me tight, kissing my cheek and drawing back as music plays and I see the flood of people that swarm the patio. I spot Taylor and Lydia at the door first. I grin when I see the baby on Taylor's hip. In the span of a year, Gabrielle's grown into the chunkiest baby I've ever seen. Her round cheeks are red with a smile as she reaches for me.

"Where's my god daughter?" I ask as they hold her out to me. "Hi, Gabbie-girl," I smile, brushing a kiss over her smiling face. She immediately reaches for the sparkling ring on my finger, and I can't help but laugh.

"Did you know about this too?" I ask Lydia, and when she nods furiously, I hug them to me.

"I think you were the only person who didn't," Taylor adds, and when I motion him over, he hugs us up too.

"I can't have been that oblivious..." Everyone objects, and I blush as they draw back and the patio doors open to the rest of the party. "Was I really?"

"Yes!" Charlotte calls, and I bury my face in Crew's chest to hide my blush.

His lips are at my ear. "I think there's someone elsewho wants to see you."

At the words, I twist over my shoulder to see someone standing outside. I almost don't recognize his new suit or his shorter locs, but Ricky's warm smile is the same. And when I see him, my night is complete. I squeeze Crew's hand, and we exchange a knowing look.

I walk to Ricky slowly, and he crosses his arms over his chest as he looks me over. "Now, Ms. Livia, I've got a question."

"Shoot," I hum, enjoying the cool breeze off the water as we stroll down the dock.

"Is this a nice suit? I got one I like, but I've gotta make sure it's worthwhile." He holds out his arms, and I make a show of admiring the slacks and matte vest.

"Do a little spin." He does, and I whistle at the new leather shoes he has on too. "I think you got a great bang for your buck. What do you think of my dress?"

He taps his chin thoughtfully. "Do a little spin."

I do, my dress twirling around me in a cloud of verdant. My silver heels flash in the setting sun, and he whistles too before I come to a stop in front of him.

"You know, I'm not sure... but I think this might be your best one yet."

I gasp. "Even better than the silver sweetheart one I wore a few months back to that gala? I thought surely nothing could pass it."

"It was hard to beat, but you've got this... glow about ya right now, and there's nothing better," he tells me, and my chin wobbles as I try to fight off another round of tears.

I pull him in for a hug, and as his long arms wrap around me, I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be. My voice is muffled by his shoulder, "Thank you for coming."

"There's not a person in Westos who could keep me from coming," he says against my hair.

I chuckle. "You've proved that tenfold, too."

We draw back, and Ricky offers me his arm as we walk. For a bit we stare out at the river as people dance to a jazz song floating from a band on the patio.

"I don't think I ever properly said ' thank you, ' you know. For last year," I tell him, and he narrows an eye at me.

He pats my hand, dismissing the comment. "There's no reason to."

I shake my head as I glance out at the swaying greenery hanging low over the water. "There is. You saved my life- multiple times. And others too. I'll never be able to repay you-"

"Repay me? Nah. Since I've known you, there's only one thing I've ever wanted. And you've given me that."

"What is it?"

He motions around us. To the lantern light and the music and the people dancing and laughing and smiling. To my greatest friends and family all in the same place, at the same time. I can't remember the last time everyone was in the same place together.

"Family," he admits quietly, and my heart squeezes in my chest. "For a time, thought I lost it. But I see now that the one I had was shit and this is the world making up for it."

I smile as he pinches my cheek. "We're closer than family."

"Well, I don't think they make a word for that," he says, and I laugh again, feeling lighter and happier than I have in a long time. "I think I've stolen you away from your fiance long enough, don't ya think?"

Just as he says it, I feel Crew lift me over his shoulder, and I break into a fit of laughter as he carries me up the dock.

He plops me right down in the grass and the world stops spinning enough that I see his brown eyes looking at me again. "I'm told that it's important to stay together. You know, so we're not so caught up in greeting everybody that we hardly have any time together."

"Really?" I feign surprise. "Who told you that?"

"You did, I believe."

"You learn fast." I give a curt, teasing nod as I look out over the party.

It's even more beautiful than I could've imagined. The ring on my finger sparkles in the setting sun, catching my eye, and I glance at it again. Still in awe that this man- this perfect, hardworking, incredible man- planned all of this without me ever knowing.

He hugs me from behind and I lean into him, enjoying his warmth as his breath fans my neck. "How do you feel about an elaborate big wedding?" he asks curiously.

He knows how I feel about it. We've talked before. I plan weddings for a living, but for my own, I want simple. Intimate.

"I'd rather just elope," I tease. Something gleams in his dark eyes when I turn to look at him, and I raise a brow. "What?"

"Then let's skip it. We've got the weekend." He motions to the door with his chin. "How about we go for a drive?"

He's serious , I realize. All I have to do is say the word and I'm sure we'd hop on his bike and find a chapel somewhere and get married tonight.

And I wouldn't have any qualms. Any regrets.

I twist, wrapping my arms around his neck. He lifts me, arms under my ass, so I'm gazing down at him. "Know something?" I ask quietly. "I thought you hated me the first time we met at Skar and Charlotte's wedding."

He shakes his head, smiling. "I've never hated you. Not even a little bit."

"The entire reception, you kept glaring out of the corner of your eye. Watching me like I'd stolen an extra slice of cake or something."

He chuckles. "You caught me looking at you far more often than I'd like to admit... but it was never because I hate you."

I know that now. I spent so much time denying things- so much time fixating on life happening that now that we're finally happening...

"I'm scared," I admit.

His brows crease. "Of getting married?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm scared of this. Us... Part of me wonders whether good things really last." I say, and he lowers me slowly, lips brushing mine in a soft kiss.

Maybe it's grief- the remnants of loss that never truly fades. It still lingers, and I suspect it will for the rest of my life.

"I'm scared too," he admits. "But not of this. I've never been more sure than when it comes to you."

"Even though you hate my cat?" I tease.

"Hey, Chesna's alright."

"Alright??" I laugh, but he turns me again so we're staring out over the river, the sight of the darkening sky now a vibrant azure.

His hands linger on my shoulders. And just the sight of our friends and family, of the lights and the greenery and the river trickling by... I realize he's showing me everything. "I'm scared of forever not even being close to enough of you."

I smirk, but I can't deny the sentiment. "I never took you for a romantic, Warden."

He kisses my temple, and I feel so at peace in this moment that I have trouble naming the feeling. But I know that I'll spent the rest of my life trying to. "I'm just being honest."

"Good thing because you're a terrible liar."

He can't bother objecting, but he still has this mischievous look in his eye. I match the challenge in his eye. "How about that drive?"