been an idiot, but I wasn’t stupid.” I was hoping that was the answer.
Not wanting to give that topic any more attention, I change the subject and Jordan visibly relaxes. Much to my relief, the rest of the evening goes smoothly. Izzy definitely warms up to him a little more as well, which I wasn’t expecting so fast. I’m honestly not sure if she’s doing it for me or if she genuinely is starting to actually… like him. Either way, I’m grateful to her for being so openminded for my benefit.
Tonight was definitely better than I had anticipated, and I have high hopes that it will be even better in the future. Jordan doesn’t hang around much after dessert, and after a quick goodbye with a promise to meet up at Grandma’s for dinner some night, I walk him to the door.
Izzy’s cleaning up the kitchen, and as soon as his taillights fade away down the driveway, I walk around the house to the backyard and light up the fire table. Judy is at my feet and I readjust her collar before I head back inside to help Iz finish cleaning up.
“I’m gonna grab a beer and head outside for a little bit. Do you want me to make you a drink?”
She adds soap to the dishwasher and presses the button to start it. “I’ll just have water, actually. I need to go to the bathroom first, then I’ll meet you out there.”
“Sounds good.”
This has become a nightly tradition for us and it’s quickly become my favorite time of day. Although waking up in the morning with her is a close second. Or maybe that’s first? Going to sleep with her in my arms ranks high up there, too. Hell, seeing her smile takes my breath away. I guess it comes down to the fact that any time with Izzy is my favorite time.
I get outside and set her glass on the fire table and my hands are trembling. My throat itches and my stomach is queasy, so I stand and pace around the patio, shaking out my hands. I very rarely get nervous, but right now I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.
The kitchen light flicks off and Izzy’s footsteps get closer. “That went well, don’t you think?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay? I know it was probably hard for you.” She speaks quietly as she comes to my side and puts a hand on my forearm.
“I’m more than okay.” I bend down and kiss the top of her head, her presence making me calmer by the second.
Taking a deep breath, I decide it’s now or never, but apparently Judy decides to throw me a bone. She sits in front of Izzy and lifts her paw as she whines. “Hey, girl. What’s wrong?” When Iz reaches down to pet Judy, her hand gets halfway there before she pulls it away and gasps. “Damien…”
“Since Judy was the reason we were brought together, I figured it’s only fitting to have her be here when I officially ask you to spend the rest of your life with us.”
Izzy is frozen and speechless, which doesn’t happen often. I squat down and untie the ribbon attached to Judy’s collar, and allow the sparkly princess cut engagement ring to slide off and into my waiting palm. Dropping to one knee, I hold the diamond out. “I don’t need a big speech to declare my love to you, because I tell you constantly how much you mean to me. And if you’ll have me, I’ll continue reminding you every day until I die that you are beyond perfect and the only one for me. Isabel Reyes Antonetti. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?” I’ve wanted to ask her this question since the moment I saw her and it’s surreal that it’s actually happening. Finally.
Her silence is killing me.
A tear drops from her eye, and she sniffles, but then launches herself at me. “Yes!” I fall to my ass as she wraps her arms around my neck and crawls into my lap. Judy barks and dances around as if she knows exactly what just happened. “Of course I’ll marry you! I already told you I would and I meant it.”
I can’t go another second without looking into her eyes. I pry her arms apart and wipe the happy tears that trickle down her cheeks away with my thumbs. Words escape me, so all I can say is