“So how does it feel to be a divorced woman?” I ask Saylor as we exit the courthouse. After Frank filed the papers, we we’re given a court date for three weeks later. The separation was amicable and both parties agreed, so it was a fifteen-minute session with the judge to confirm what was listed was correct, and he signed off on the papers.
“I think I need to go out and celebrate. Drink a few beers, maybe flirt with a few good-looking guys,” she says, smiling.
I stop in my tracks and pull her into me. “You’re not married, but you are taken. For life.” I kiss her hard on the lips and release her.
“Is that so?”
“Yep.” When we reach my truck, I open the door for her and smack her ass as she climbs inside. “That’ll teach you,” I say, laughing. Rounding the other side, I climb behind the wheel and put the keys in the ignition, but I don’t start the truck. “Hey, can you hand me that box out of the glove compartment?”
She opens the compartment and there sits a small black velvet box with a red bow on top. “Rhett.” She looks at me with tears in her eyes.
“We’re meeting at Gramps’s to celebrate. Mom and Dad flew in this morning. Jake, Molly, and Jerry will be there too.” I tap on her arm, giving it a little nudge. “But before we do, you need to open that.”
With shaking hands, she opens the long, slender box. Inside is a Tiffany’s white gold necklace with the initial B. For the first time since the night we were married, I slide my wedding band off my finger and hand it to her. I thought you might want to hold on to this for me, you know, until we need it again.”
Her smile lights up her face as a lone tear slips from her eye. “I guess I should do that too, huh?” she asks. “It’s going to be weird not wearing it. I’m used to it now.”
I don’t comment, just wait patiently as she slips both of our wedding bands on the chain then hands it to me. “Will you put it on me?” she asks.
I take the chain from her while she gathers her hair in one hand to keep it off her neck. Once I have it fastened, I kiss her neck and pull away. “Now,” I say, starting the truck. “We have a divorce party to get to.” Her laughter fills the cab of the truck as we head toward home.
“I’m excited to see your parents,” she says when we pull into the driveway.
“You’re Mom’s new favorite.” I fake a pout, when really it thrills me that they get along so well.
“Girl power,” she says, raising her fist in the air.
“All right, crazy girl, let’s get inside.” We’re greeted with cheers and a banner that says “H-A-P-P-Y D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” It’s handmade, and I know by the way Jerry is grinning and pointing at it, he’s the one responsible. Mom made dinner—fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
“You told her.” Saylor turns to look at me.
I shrug. “I just thought Elaine should be here, you know? What better way to honor her than to serve your favorite meal that she used to make you?”
She wraps her arms around me. “I love you, Rhett Baxter, and she would have loved you too.”
“Love you, too,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“Hey now, none of that, you’re divorced,” Jerry calls over. Saylor’s cheeks turn pink from the attention.
We all gather around the huge dining room table that only gets used on major holidays, and eat until we can’t eat any more. There is a lot of love and a lot of laughter around the table. Saylor hasn’t stopped smiling, and I can only hope I can keep that smile there for the rest of her life.
“We have something else to celebrate,” Gramps says, standing. “As of Monday, Rhett Alexander Baxter III is the new CEO of Baxter’s Distillery.”
Everyone cheers and congratulates me and Gramps on his retirement.
Jake stands next, pulling Molly with him. “Since this is a party, we have some news as well.” He looks down at Molly and smiles. “In about seven months, we’re going to have a new addition to our clan,” he says proudly.
“You’re pregnant?” Saylor squeals and jumps out of her chair to give them both a hug. The rest of us follow suit.
“So, we’re, uh, going to get married in two weeks,” Molly says. She looks over at us and winks. “In Vegas,” she announces, and we all laugh and tell them congratulations again with another round of hugs.
“I don’t think this day could get any better,” Gramps says.
I stand from my seat. “Actually, there is one more thing.” I turn toward Saylor and drop down to one knee. “Saylor Elizabeth Keller, you’ve brought so much to my life in such a short amount of time.” Her eyes are already welling with tears. I’m getting a little choked up myself. This is life changing; her answer could make or break me. I’d like to think I know what it’s going to be, but until I hear it from her pretty pink lips, I’m going to be sweating bullets. “You make me a better man. I’m stronger with you standing next to me. I want to be the man you lean on, the one who will forever be by your side. I want to be the man that gives you choices in life, like how many babies we’re going to have.” I wink at her. “Saylor, will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?” She nods, tears streaming down her face. Standing with the open ring box in my hand, I gently wipe her tears. “I need your words, baby.” She stares down at the ring, this one an actual engagement ring, not just a wedding band. This one was bought for the woman I love, while completely sober.
“Y-yes,” she says, smiling, laughing, and crying all at the same time. “Yes!” she says again, her voice clear.
Taking the ring out of the box, I slide it onto her hand. It’s a heart-shaped diamond with princess cut diamonds on the band, the same pattern as her wedding band from our Vegas wedding. “I love you,” I whisper before pressing my lips to hers.
“I choose you,” she whispers.
My fucking heart flips over in my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. Chaos ensues around us, as we are now the ones getting hugs and congratulations from our friends and family. The rest of the night is filled with laughter. As I sit across the room and watch my mom, my fiancée, and longtime friend talk about weddings and babies, I feel peace wash over me. There have been some changes, life-altering changes, in the last few months, and I’m excited for every single one of them.
“Ladies,” Jerry calls out. “Us men folk are going downstairs to have a beer,” he tells them.
They laugh and wave him off, not breaking their conversation. Pulling my eyes away from her, I turn to follow the three of them downstairs where Gramps houses his fully stocked bar in his man cave. I’m almost to the doorway when I hear her call out for me.
“Hey, Whiskey.”
Looking over my shoulder, I see her smiling at me. Mom and Molly are huddled over Molly’s phone a few feet away. “What’s up, Short Stack?” I smirk.
“You forgot something,” she says, walking toward me.
“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” I ask, resting my hands on her hips once she’s close enough.
“This.” She stands on her tiptoes, buries her hands in my hair, and tugs me into a kiss. “I love you,” she says, pulling away.
“Saylor, look at this one,” Mom calls out for her.
She flashes me a grin before running back to them. She’s beautifully happy, and I vow to do everything in my power to keep her that way.