I looked around Party with Laurel my heart swelling with pride.

We were officially open for business. There were still flowers, of course, with a front counter for Cherry Springs customers who wanted to order for personal reasons. But, there was also an open office in the storefront for people who wanted to book us to plan their party.

The flowers we did in-house, and we’d also started procuring decorations, furniture, and miscellaneous items for the parties we hosted, including the Star Wars themed items from our maiden party.

We hired out the catering, bartending, and music. I’d spent the last few months networking and contacting those I’d met at the convention with Dillon as well as people from a wedding expo I’d attended a few weeks before… as a vendor.

It had been unbelievably exciting, and we’d even secured a few bookings on the spot, as well as some emails and phone numbers to contact for more information.

Chloe was currently at home on bed rest, frustrated and disappointed that she and Reardon hadn’t been able to have their wedding before the baby was born like they’d hoped, but everyone agreed, the safety of her and the baby was much more important than whether or not the baby was born out of wedlock.

I couldn’t wait to tell her, though, that I’d just booked Three Sister’s Catering to cater her reception. She was going to flip. We’d travelled there together to meet with the sisters, pick their brains about their business, and learn everything we could from them. And, we’d both loved Millie’s food.

“I’m going to lock up,” Lisa said, pulling me from my musings. “Do you need anything else before I go upstairs?”

Last month I’d moved in with Dillon, and Lisa had moved into my apartment over the shop.

“No, I’m about to head out myself. Thanks,” I said, smiling as she nodded and turned to lock up.

I’d hired three more employees over the last few months as our business had grown, and Lisa had moved up to be under Chloe, and was helping me run things while Chloe was away. My team was the best, and I’d be nothing without them.

Want me to grab dinner on the way home?

I smiled at Dillon’s text. I still got butterflies whenever I saw his name on my phone.

I pulled out steaks to thaw, thought we could grill tonight.

I replied, tossing my stuff in my car before getting in and heading toward the home I’d always dreamed of living in, and now did.

Mmmm, perfect. I love you.

I grinned, those butterflies flapping happily.

Love you, too. On my way.

I put my phone on the seat next to me and drove.

I was parking when Copper and Penny came running around the side of the house at the sound of my car.

Dillon must be out back grilling already, I thought, then led them back around the side of the house, rather than inside, where Princess was probably hiding in her usual spot under our bed.

I smiled as I looked out over the acreage as I walked. I could see the daisies growing in the distance, and knew I needed to take time that weekend to go for a walk and see them.

“Hey,” I called, when I rounded the corner and saw Dillon out on the deck by the grill. It was open, and he was doing something with tongs in one hand, and a beer in the other.

“Hey, babe, how was your day?” he asked, and I laughed.

He’d been asking me that every evening since I’d moved in. I pretended I thought it was corny, but we both knew I loved it.

“It was pretty great actually. I booked two more parties, how about yours?” I asked as I walked up the stairs toward him.

He handed me the glass of red wine he had waiting and dropped a kiss on my lips.

“Great, too. Boise is a go.”

Jasmine and Dillon had both been successful in their efforts to move Lewis Sporting Goods across the nation, and were officially starting their world domination efforts in San Francisco, Seattle, and now, Boise.

“Congratulations,” I murmured, offering up my lips for one more kiss.

“I talked to Reardon, he said Chloe is going nuts on bed rest, but doing much better. He sounded a little freaked out.”

“I bet,” I replied, bringing the wine to my nose and inhaling the delicious fragrance of a good red. “To both … Chloe going nuts and Rear freaking. I know how much she thrives on doing, I can’t imagine how hard it is for her to be still. And, Reardon, well, I’m sure being a first-time dad is hard.”

“Yeah,” Dillon said, frowning at the thought of his cousin having a rough time.

I put the wine back down, untouched, and unsuccessfully tried to conceal my grin.

“Well, I guess you’ll know about that in about … seven months.”

“What?” Dillon asked distractedly, flipping the steaks.

I grinned now, placed both my palms on my stomach and said, “In seven months … you’ll understand the nerves of becoming a first-time dad.”

He dropped the spatula and turned to me in slow motion, his eyes darting to my hands.

“Are you…?

“Yes,” I told him excitedly.

Dillon picked me up, lifting me so that I had to look down at his ecstatic face as he spun me around.

I slid back to the ground once he stopped, my hands around his neck as I looked lovingly up at him.

“Marry me?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered, then squealed and jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist.

“I want to do it soon,” Dillon said, hugging me close. “Maybe even before Rear and Chlo.”

“Is yesterday too soon?” I asked, then kissed him until we were both gasping for breath.

The End.