I set down my phone as he came through the door. Alone.
“What did you do with Graham?” It was Saturday night, and we usually spent it watching movies and munching on popcorn.
“Graham’s spending the night at Lou Ellen’s tonight.” Henry held out a bag I hadn’t seen him bring in. “I’ve got a surprise for you out back. If you’ll go change into this, I’ll be waiting for you outside.”
“Change?” I already had my pjs on… the ones he’d ordered special for me for Christmas. They had pictures of Shirley and Squiggy printed all over them and had quickly become my favorite pair.
“Yes, change.” He took the glass of wine from my hand and tugged me up from the couch.
I snagged the bag and headed toward the bedroom. “You’re so bossy all of a sudden.”
“Just wait until later. I’m barely getting started, sweetheart.”
The promise of an evening alone with Henry in bossy mode sent heat hurtling through my veins. I went into the bedroom and opened the bag. He’d bought me a dress. A form-fitting red dress with big white polka dots all over it.
I kicked off my pajamas and slid the dress over my head. It molded to my curves and made my boobs look amazing. He’d even picked up a little white shawl to go with it. I draped it over my shoulders, then checked out my reflection in the full-length mirror.
As long as I was getting dressed up, I figured I may as well do something with my hair and add a little mascara to my lashes. After a few minutes of primping, I made my way out back.
Sparkly white twinkle lights stretched over the patio. Soft music played from a set of speakers he’d set up in the corner.
“What’s going on?” I spun in a slow circle, taking in the red glittered hearts he’d hung from above. “Valentine’s Day isn’t for a few more days.”
“Can I have this dance?” Henry stepped out of the shadows. He had on a pair of clean jeans and a starched button-down shirt. The top two buttons were undone, exposing the perfect amount of chest hair.
My legs shook as I walked toward him. “What did you do?”
“I wanted to make up for not asking you to that Valentine’s Day dance. Think of all the time we could have had together if we’d started dating back then.” He pulled me into his arms and began to sway to the slow beat.
“Don’t you think things happen for a reason? If we’d gotten together back then, who knows if we’d still be together today?” I tilted my head back and looked up at him. “We can’t live in the past, babe. But we can make the most of the future stretching ahead of us.”
“How did you get to be so fucking smart?” He dipped his head to press a kiss behind my ear.
A shiver rolled through me. “I’m only smart enough to see a good thing when it’s standing right in front of me.”
“About that future stretching ahead of us…” Henry started.
“What about it?” We’d talked about the future, but even though we knew we’d be together, we’d been too busy with him starting a business and me expanding the rescue to make real plans.
“I think it’s about time we made things official.”
My heart skipped several beats, and I suddenly felt lightheaded. “Official how?”
Henry got down on one knee in front of me. He pulled a box out of his back pocket and snapped it open. “I might not be the best man in the world, but I know in my heart I’m the best man for you. Say you’ll be mine, Devyn. Will you marry me?”
I stared down at the ring nestled in a pillow of ruby red velvet. We’d never talked about what kind of ring I’d want, but he knew me better than I knew myself. It was perfect. A vintage setting held a perfect round stone in the center. For once in my life, I didn’t have a snappy comeback. He’d rendered me speechless.
“Well?” Henry smiled up at me.
“Yes. Hell, yes.” I bent down and kissed him. He picked me up in his arms, and I lifted my legs to wrap around his waist.
I couldn’t wait to tell the girls I was engaged, but it would have to wait. First, Henry and I needed to take advantage of having the house to ourselves for a whole night.
“I’m glad you said yes. You had me nervous there for a second, sweetheart.”
“You’ve always had my heart,” I mumbled against his mouth.
He carried me into the house and straight toward the bedroom. “And you’ve always had mine. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world tonight, Devyn.”
“Actions speak louder than words, babe. I’m going to need for you to show me.”
He tossed me into the middle of the bed we shared, then climbed onto it and hovered over me. “With pleasure.”