Page 124 of Catch and Release

“But we will.”

“I’ve trained you well, sweetie,” Grams said, a smug smirk tugging at her lips as she stood up. “And now it’s time for my nap. I trust you to guard the brownies.”

Willa laughed and untied her apron. After putting it away, she wrapped her arms around Shawn’s neck and tugged him in for a kiss.

“Did you have a good day?” she asked.

He nipped at her bottom lip. “It was a great day until my girl denied me a brownie.”

Willa chuckled. “You have such little faith in me?”

She picked up a pile of washcloths, and underneath them sat a tupperware with a brownie inside. “I set this aside for you when Grams went to the bathroom.”

“Oh my god, I love you,” he laughed, then grabbed the tupperware from her hand, opened it, and shoved the brownie in his mouth. “Holy fuck, that’s good.”

“Glad you like it. It only took me asking her every day for the past two months for her to finally teach me the recipe.”

“You should be honored,” Shawn responded before swallowing his brownie. “She barely even shares that with family.”

But Willa had become family over the last few months. They stayed at Grams’ place most nights, ate dinner together every night, and fished off the wharf when the weather was nice. She and Grams still went on walks every morning, and Willa even started offering a few classes for seniors at the church. Grams, Mary, and even Nancy Siders were regulars.

“I’m honored,” Willa said, leaning into him as he wrapped his arms around her lower back and tugged her closer.

He could get used to this—wanted to get used to this. He knew Willa was his forever—and so did Grams. She’d pulled him aside a few weeks ago and given him her wedding ring.

“Grams,” he’d told her, “we’ve barely been dating for six months. I can’t?—”

“When you know, you know, Scoob,” she said. “Take your time, but don’t take too long. I love that girl. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for you, and I’d like to see you get married in my lifetime.”

“Grams, don’t guilt-trip me.”

“Why not? It works.”

Shawn chuckled as he remembered the way she shoved the ring in his hand, and wondered if she’d be checking back in on him to see if he’d be popping the question anytime soon. He knew they both had things they needed to work on before they’d be ready to say “I do”—but Willa was his.

Forever.

One way or another.

THE END