“That’s awesome. You’ve got almost the entire state covered.”
“Yeah. Your plan to use existing schools was brilliant.”
For months, we were spinning our wheels about how to get things off the ground. Luke’s original proposal called for funding the construction of our own buildings. Then I got the idea to approach school systems about either integrating our classes into their existing curriculum or offering them as an extracurricular activity. I figured a few would go for the idea but the response was overwhelming. So many schools signed up that Luke had to hire a program director just to handle all the paperwork.
Using existing infrastructure has not only saved money but solved the transportation issue. Most of the school systems already have busing in place for kids involved in after-school activities. And holding the coding classes on school grounds has ensured that they remain a safe space for children to learn.
That’s going down as one of my best ideas yet.
“I am pretty brilliant, aren’t I?” Brushing dust off my jeans, I sit on the couch and rest my head against the cushions.
“I’m smart enough to know a trick question when I hear one,” he responds absently, absorbed by whatever he’s looking at on his phone.
Suddenly, he breaks out into a huge grin and then vaults over the arm of the couch onto the cushion next to me. “Hey, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
He holds out his phone. “That your newest game is doing so well.”
“What? Let me see.” I grab the phone from his hand and then squeal at the top of my lungs. “My game is number one. I’m number one!”
He laughs and pulls me into a kiss. “Pig Punt in Paradise is number one. That’s something to tell our kids someday.”
Even in the middle of my excitement, his words give me pause. He’s been doing that more and more lately. Making references to the future that include things we haven’t really talked about yet like kids and mortgages and family vacations. I figure he’s just trying the ideas on for size, seeing how they fit. But every time he mentions something like that a warm feeling of contentment settles around me.
“Are you going to call your sister? Or do you want to wait and tell her in person?”
“I think I’ll tell her next time we visit. She’s always good for a dramatic reaction.”
Once Grace wasn’t worried about me feeling left out, she stopped acting out and has gotten involved in several clubs at school. Her adoption went through a few months ago and we’ve gone to visit her in New Jersey a few times. Unlike what I was expecting, Jim and Enid Barnett weren’t just fostering Grace for money. They really love her.
It was bittersweet to watch her with her new parents. Once they knew I wasn’t a threat to their adoption of Grace, they were extremely open to more frequent visitation. I’m starting to think of them as extended family.
“Thanks for going with me to visit Grace, by the way. She really likes it when you come with me.”
He gives me a wry look. “I can tell. She pinched my ass when she hugged me goodbye last time.”
I stifle a smile. “Aw, poor baby. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
His head dips and I shiver when his nose brushes against my neck. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
After a loud, smacking kiss against my neck, he gets up and walks into the kitchen. “You didn’t pack the coffee maker?”
I shake my head. “No, I figured that would be dangerous. I know how you get without caffeine. I’ll unplug it and drive it over this weekend.”
He stares at me for a long time. Then his expression softens in a way I’ve never seen. One side of his mouth lifts slightly. “Want some coffee, baby?”
“Yes. Please,” I manage to get out.
What was that about? My cheeks flush as he finally turns away. He’s never looked at me quite that way before. He disappears into our bedroom and then comes out a few minutes later. I watch as he pulls out a filter and measures the coffee. Then he retrieves his favorite Star Wars mug from the shelf. It’s the only one I didn’t pack yet since he uses it every day.
We don’t speak as the coffee percolates and once it’s finished, he prepares a single cup. One cream. Two sugars. Exactly the way I like it. He carries it to me and then kneels next to where I sit on the couch.
My heart is suddenly beating so fast, like it knows there’s something special about this moment.
“Thank you.” I accept the hot mug, smiling at him through the steam that curls above the rim.
Then he puts out his other hand. On his palm is a diamond ring. A simple solitaire on a gold band. Exactly what I would have chosen for myself.
He smiles sheepishly. “I always said if I did this, it would be over coffee.”
My breath whooshes out and I take the ring from his hand with shaking fingers. “This? What is this exactly?”
“A promise.” He kisses me, the steam from the coffee warming our lips. “That I’ll love you forever. Marry me, Seven?”
I place the mug down on the table and then pull him closer. My throat is suddenly very tight. “Yes. Yes! There’s nothing I want more than to be with you.”
chapter seventeen
†
LUKE
My eyes follow the curve of Seven’s ass as she moves around our new kitchen. It’s amazing that she only gets more beautiful as time passes. When she stretches up to reach for something in one of the cabinets, I curl a hand around her hip. When she sees the look in my eyes, she gasps.
“Luke! Your whole family is here.” She dissolves into giggles when I corner her, bracketing her against the counter with my hips.
“Can we get rid of them?” I whisper, kissing her behind the ear.
She’s been baking all morning, with my mom’s help, and she smells warm like sugar. I lick delicately at her neck and she shivers.
“They’re here to help us celebrate our new house. We can’t kick them out when we’re the ones who invited them.” Her hands slide up my chest and pull me closer. “Maybe we can sneak away later?”
“Hey guys! Oops—” Sasha spins in mid-step and walks back out of the kitchen.
Seven muffles her laughter against my shoulder. “We can’t hide in the kitchen the whole time. It’s a party.”
“This is a party.” I pop her on the bottom. She rubs up against me, one hand sliding into my hair.
“Is it safe to come in?” Tank sticks his head in the kitchen, the smug grin on his face telling me he knows exactly what we were just up to.
“No, it’s not.”
But Seven ducks under my arm and rushes toward Tank. Well, toward the gorgeous baby he’s holding.
“Max! Oh my god, she’s gotten so big.”
Tank allows her to take the baby without complaint. His daughter, Maxine, is frequently the main attraction at family events and he’s used to being forced to give her up as soon as he walks in.
“How old is she now?” I ask, laughing when Seven takes the baby’s socks off. She’s recently developed an obsession with baby feet.
Even I have to admit it’s pretty hard to resist squeezing those chubby little toes.
“Ten months. Emma’s getting the rest of her stuff from the car. Now that she’s walking we have to travel with a truckload of safety crap to keep her from falling down stairs or sticking forks in the electric sockets.”