but braced for disappointment.
But she had answered and all was right with the world.
“Hey. Just wanted to say goodnight before I hit my rack,” he said.
“Hit your rack, huh? I suppose one day I’ll get all this military lingo down.” She laughed.
He smiled and his heart felt full. “Take all the time you need.”
In fact, a lifetime wasn’t out of the question.
EPILOGUE
“Happy one year anniversary, my valentine.” Brian thrust forward a huge, gorgeous bouquet of flowers.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” She backed away from the door so he could come in out of the February air.
He did, closing the door behind him but not taking his jacket off before bracketing her face between his palms and taking possession of her lips.
It was quite a kiss, its passion only tempered by the amount of foliage between them since she’d never gotten to lay down the bouquet.
She didn’t mind his enthusiasm. That things in the physical department hadn’t cooled at all between them over the past year, and in fact had only burned hotter, was a huge comfort, squelching any residual doubts and fears she might still have.
Finally, he released her, taking the flowers back and moving toward the kitchen sink. She watched as he took out a cutting board and a kitchen knife before reaching into the highest cabinet and easily grabbing the vase she’d finally purchased since he kept buying her flowers.
He knew she needed the stepstool to get the vase down. He also knew that though she loved flowers, she hated the trimming and arranging part.
Since figuring that out, he’d always taken over those duties himself—part of the gift, he’d said.
Yes, in some ways he was perfect. That didn’t stop her from correcting him when he was wrong. “Valentine’s Day isn’t our anniversary.”
“Sure, it is. It was our first date.”
“Our first fake date,” she said.
“Then when do you consider our anniversary?” he asked.
She honestly hadn’t considered it at all.
Maybe she was missing that gene that most women had. But since he’d asked . . . “I guess the day you serenaded me at McP’s.”
He let out a laugh. “Really? Okay. We’ll have two anniversaries then and just celebrate twice. All right?”
“Okay. Do you remember what date that was?” she asked.
“The date of McP’s? I don’t, but I don’t have to. We just have to look at the dozens of videos of me singing that are posted online to see what date it was.”
“Ah, modern technology. How romantic.” She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t mind technology, as long as we can still celebrate the old fashioned way.” Moving away from the sink, he grabbed her ass with both hands and pulled her close to demonstrate his point. “Although I do like the occasional addition of your bedside toys. Those might be technically considered technology.”
She removed his hands from her ass just as his fingers began creeping purposefully between her legs. “We’ll have to celebrate later. Now we have to get to my sister’s party.”
“All right. But I’m going to hold you to that.” He sighed and stepped back. “You know, we should have a party—”
She frowned. “Ugh. Why?”
His brows rose. “Why not?”
“I’m not a party person. I don’t even like going to her parties. Why would I have one of my own?”
“Because it would be our party. We can do it after I move in next month when my lease is up. Unless you’re taking back your invitation . . .”
“I am not. Unless you’re planning on throwing a bunch of wild parties.” She cocked up a brow. “Are you?”
“I was thinking more of a housewarming party. Wine. Appetizers. Lasagna—the non-vegan kind. Not a keg party.”
“Oh. Okay. Dinner parties, I’ll allow.”
“Good to know. Now get your coat and purse so we can go. I’ve got flowers in the Jeep for your sister.”
Alicia narrowed her eyes. “As nice as my flowers?”
She eyed the bouquet, somehow looking perfect in the vase even though Brian had thrown it together in such a short time.
Yup, she was definitely missing the flower arranging gene too. Good thing he seemed to have it.
“No, not nearly as nice as yours, love of mine.” His lips twitched with a smile as he pressed them against hers. “Mmm. We better go before I take off that pretty red sweater of yours and take you to bed.”
She almost considered that idea, just so they’d have fewer hours to spend at her sister’s. But she was probably already on borrowed time.
That Jen hadn’t already texted or called to make sure they were on