Six months later…

Garret paced in Tabitha’s kitchen, gripping a set of papers between his fingers, waiting for Tabitha to finish her shower that she had to take after work. He shouldn’t be surprised. She always did that.

But tonight needed to be different.

He hoped it would be special in a way his fiercely independent girlfriend would appreciate.

“My, my. What has you all jittery?” she asked as she brushed her hand against his chest before reaching for the glass of wine he’d poured just before she’d gone upstairs. She leaned against the counter, running her fingers through her thick wet hair. The mixture of coconut and the rich sent of a dark blackberry and bell peppers filled his nostrils, exciting not just his taste buds.

“You know I love you, right?”

She folded one arm over her middle while she arched a brow, sipping her wine. “And why are we asking such a silly question?”

“Because I have to make a decision that impacts you?” He’d meant his response to be not only sarcastic, but funny.

Only it hadn’t come out that way.

“What decision is that?”

“My lease. It’s up next month. I spend more than half my time here. But I’d be a dick if I thought I could just move in. But I don’t know how to ask you if I should sign my lease or not.”

“I think you just did.” She set her glass on the counter and took the papers from his hands.

“And?”

“Are you asking to move in here with me?”

“I’m asking for more than that.”

She dropped the papers. They floated to the floor like feathers, landing on the tile with a soft little bump. “What?”

“I want more than to be your roommate and share in the bills.”

She cocked her head. “You mean you’re willing to pay half my mortgage? Car payment? Credit card bills?”

“Why are you making this so hard?” He rubbed his hands over his thighs before digging into his right pocket, the ring tickling his index finger.

Tabitha wasn’t a traditional woman. She didn’t bend to tradition. He’d learned over the last six months that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married and have kids. It was more that she wanted to remain an individual. That while being someone’s… no…his wife was fine. That being someone’s mother would be special and amazing, but she refused to give up her own self. She wouldn’t get lost in someone else’s world.

And he didn’t expect that of her.

But he sure as shit wanted to be married to her.

Have a family with her.

“Because I want to ask you to marry me, but I know if I dropped to one knee and pulled out this ring, you’d—”

She took the engagement ring from his hand and placed it on her finger. “I’d say yes.”

“Are you saying yes?” He let out a puff of air while she bent over and picked up his lease papers from the floor and tore them up, tossing them in the air.

“I love you, you big goof. I want to have the world with you.” She took her forefinger and wiggled her nose. “I wished for you to come to your senses and realize that while I like my independence, I love being with you. I love you.”

“Thank God.” He pulled her tight to her chest. “So, I have to be out next week.”

“Well, we’ll just have to have a garage sale and sell most of your furniture, except the dining room table and your bedroom set. Both are much nicer than mine.”

“Ace says that the key to a happy marriage is just say, yes, dear.”

“I knew I liked that man.” She looped her arms around his shoulders, clasping her fingers behind his neck. “I love you, Garret. You’ll all I’ll ever want.”

“I love you, too.” He pressed his lips against hers in a promise that meant more than any ring. Together, they could conquer anything.

Together, they would make their own footsteps in the sand.