“Last I checked, I think who I marry is my decision. Besides, they won’t care.”
“I still would like them to know. I’m an old-fashioned man. That kind of thing is important to me.” He said, taking my hand and moving us to the couch.
“Fine. I’ll text them.” I grabbed my phone from the coffee table.
ME: I’m dating someone. It’s serious, we may be getting married.
I placed my phone back down, two minutes later it buzzed twice.
BARB: As long as he has money. If things don’t work out, you don’t want to be poor.
DONALD: Whatever you want.
I passed the phone to Parker, showing him exactly what my parents were like. He looked at me, his eyes a little sad, and pulled me to his chest.
“It doesn’t matter, Catherine, we’re going to build our own family and then the past just won’t matter,” he said, burying my face in the soft cotton of his shirt.
Epilogue One
Parker – one month later
“Theo!” I patted my favorite taco man on the shoulder. “Ready for the big day?”
Theo grinned, tipping his hat once before passing me the colorful serving dish Cat had commented on on our first trip here.
“You’re the best my man, best tacos, best side-kick, you got any other talents I don’t know about?”
“No, Sir, just tacos and love.” His aging eyes sparkled, toothy grin broad. Just as I was about to share my plan for Cat with him, her car pulled up in the parking lot and she was unfolding herself from the seat.
I ducked out of the taco truck before she could see me and wonder what I was doing. I crossed the few spaces to her, arms wide to envelop her in a hug when she finally reached me. I held her close, nose nestled in her hair as I inhaled her sweet scent and thanked my lucky fucking stars she’d landed in my life.
I had no plans of ever letting her go.
“How was your day at work?” She beamed up at me.
I dusted a finger along her cheekbone before pressing a kiss to her full lips. “My day is always way the fuck better the minute you’re in my arms again.” I laced our fingers, turning back to the taco truck, Theo’s eyes on us with the hint of a grin playing on his lips.
“You want the usual tonight, baby?” We paused at the food window and she nodded.
“Sounds good to me. Hey, Theo!” She grinned like we didn’t see him at least once a week, if not more some weeks. What was once my favorite place, was now ours.
Ours.
A word that would have scared me at one time, but with her, came so naturally.
“Hola, Señorita,” he cooed, pen posed to write down her order.
“Same as always, my man,” I mumbled, trying to keep my cool. I passed him a fifty to cover our order with a generous tip for helping a guy out at a delicate time like this.
“Your order will be up in a few minutes. Have a seat, and we’ll bring it out.”
Cat arched an eyebrow, waving at him sweetly as I curled my arm around her waist and guided her to the picnic tables where we’d shared our first date.
“We’re getting the special service today. Aren’t we lucky?” She said as she slid onto the picnic bench.
“We’re always lucky, baby girl, it’s that sparkling smile of yours, I practically have to fight the men off they fall over you so much.” She rolled her eyes. “Not used to my attention yet, huh? I’m making it my job to break you of your awkwardness whenever I tell you how fucking ravishing you are.” I slipped her strands through my fingers. I could tell she was turned on already, her breathing picked up as small shivers of lust ran over her skin. “I can’t wait to get you home.”
“Order up, lovebirds.” Theo appeared over her shoulder then, setting the special plate for her down, a linen napkin covering the surprise beneath. “It’s hot and ready for you, Miss.”
With that, just like we’d discussed, he lifted the napkin, sparkling diamond ring sitting squarely in the center. Her eyes widened, hand covering her lips.
“Parker?”
“Baby.” I slipped around the side of the table, bending to one knee and taking her shaking palms in mine. “You make me the happiest I’ve ever been. I want everything with you. When I close my eyes, I see our future. I see you with our babies in your arms, us growing old with grandbabies running between our feet, dogs, vacations, love, so much love. My heart is filled with more love than I knew it could hold, all because of you. Catherine Miller, please make me the happiest man alive and promise to be my wife.”
Her eyes welled, head nodding before I slid the diamond on her ring finger. As soon as it was where it belonged, we stood and I crushed her in my arms. The small crowd dotting the tables around us burst into whistles and claps. “Fuck the tacos, baby, let’s go home. We have a lifetime’s worth of celebrating to do.”