C’mon.

I will the bearded man at the counter to move faster as he works.

At the same time, I’m damn grateful I live in New York City where everything can be procured around the clock, even on a Sunday evening.

Because I’m not showing up at Roxy’s place empty-handed.

After she gave me a golden opportunity to tell her I loved her earlier and I botched it, I’m not screwing up a second chance. Hell, my brothers wrote songs for the women they loved. They told their women onstage, and in concert, how they felt.

I’ve learned enough as the youngest that you can’t simply imitate the guys who went before you. But I also know that when you want someone for the rest of your life, you need to back up your words with actions.

As soon as the bearded man finishes, I hail a taxi and head to Roxy’s, calling her on the way, hoping to heaven and back she hasn’t signed the contract for her new place yet.

This time, she answers. “Hi.” She sounds nervous.

I’m nervous too, but I’m also raring to go. “Hey, Rox. I was trying to track you down to see you. Are you home?”

“I was in the shower. As soon as I got out, I saw you had called.” Briefly, I picture Roxy in the shower, and that image is not appropriate for me to linger on with Ben by my side, so I wipe my brain clean.

“I was worried you were at your new building.”

“No. Not yet. I was showering because I wanted to see you.”

“You do?”

“I do want to see you,” she says, and her tone is sweet and vulnerable, and it wraps around a heart that’s already hammering for her.

“And you needed to shower first?” I ask playfully.

She laughs. “I did.”

“How about I come see you? I’m with Ben. We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“I’ll be ready.”

Ten minutes later, I turn to my son as we head down her hallway. “How do I look?”

“Like a chicken magnet.”

* * *

She opens the door, and the air evacuates my lungs as I look her over. She wears a coral sundress that she fills out beautifully. Her hair is loose, curling over her shoulders.

When she sees the two of us, she smiles, and it’s the kind that tells me she might, just might, feel the same way I do. Hope bursts inside me. How could I have doubted us?

“Hi, Roxy.” Ben waves. “Can we come in?”

“Of course.” She opens the door, and Alan practically leaps off the couch, speeding around the corner.

Ben laughs and darts over to the cat as he hightails it to another room. This is my chance, and I’m not missing it this time.

I reach for Roxy’s hand and press a metal object into it.

When she feels it, her eyes widen. “Miles?”

I swallow and look into her eyes, seeing forever in them. “I have something for you. It’s a key. I want you to live with me. I want you to live with us. Even though that two-bedroom is beautiful, I don’t want you living there.”

“You don’t?” Her voice is feather-soft.

I shake my head, nerves skittering everywhere, but I banish them. I have to do this. I have to say this. I cup her cheek, running my thumb over her jaw. “Live with me, because I love you. I love you so much.”

She gasps, pressing a hand to her mouth. Her eyes shine.

I go on, curling my hands gently over her beautifully round belly. “And I love this little girl. She’s yours, sweetheart. But she feels like mine and yours, and that’s what I want her to be. Ours.”

Tears slide down her cheeks. “Ours,” she murmurs, wonder in her voice.

“I want the four of us to be a family.”