“Nope,” he hums.
“Traitor,” I grumble and fold my arms across my chest.
He laughs and shakes his head. Trevor has been up to something today. I woke this morning, and he fed me breakfast in bed before telling me to dress comfortably.
Once I was ready, he sent me off in a car without another word. The car took me to the Billings ranch where Tasha and Val were waiting for me. I then spent the day being pampered with all the other women.
I have never laughed and had so much fun in my life. When I was told the spa day was a gift to everyone from Trevor, I was thrown. There were massages, manis and pedis, and facials.
I wouldn’t have thought anything of it if not for the call Val received before she and Roni rushed me off to head back home. We’re now riding through the ranch to our house. Matt doesn’t pull into the garage. He stops in front of the house.
The first thing to catch my eye are the rose petals leading up pathway to the front stairs and up the stairs to the front door. I turn to Matthew, but he has his gaze focused straight ahead. I purse my lips, knowing he’s not going to be any help.
“Fine,” I mumble and get out of the SUV.
“You have a good night, baby girl,” Matt calls after me.
“Don’t talk to me now.” I wave him off.
Following the petals, I enter the house. Stepping out of my sneakers, I then pull off my socks and place them in the cubby with the shoes. Something smells delicious, but I ignore that fact and continue to follow the petals. They lead to the door that leads down to the basement.
Opening the door, I follow the petals down the steps. My face breaks into a smile as Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s “Lost in Emotions” begins to play. I will never forget that time Trev, Cliff, Pook, and I danced around the barn to this album.
It was the first time I thought I might have seen more in his eyes. I had been seventeen and thought I was being silly. We were all so happy.
Cliff caught us all off guard as he stopped and told Pook she would be his wife one day. That’s when I saw that look in Trev’s eyes, as if he was making the same promise silently.
This was the song playing at the time. I come back to the present as I hit the bottom of the stairs. Looking around, I don’t see anyone. However, the roses haven’t stopped, so I keep following the trail.
To my surprise, the studio is complete. It’s so nice. It looks just like a professional studio.
I open the door to the booth and follow the path to the mic mount where the petals stop. The spit guard catches my attention. There’s something fastened to it. When I move around to face the mic, I see it’s a ring box.
I cover my mouth with a shaky hand as I see the gorgeous ring sitting inside. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me from behind. I look up to find Trev staring down at me.
He gives me a huge smile and dips his head to peck my lips. I turn to face him. As I do, he drops to one knee. The tears begin to fall as I suck in a deep breath.
“Yes,” I breathe.
Trev rumbles with laughter and his face breaks into a face-splitting smile. It dawns on me that his smile had been nervous up until now. I reach to cup his face and repeat the word I should have said nineteen years ago.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“I didn’t ask you anything, darlin’.”
“Yes, you did. You asked me nineteen years ago. I should have said it then.
“I turned back to say it then, but you were gone. I’ve always regretted that. I was young and afraid.
“I won’t make you ask me again because the answer is and always will be yes. Yes, Trevor Paul Monroe, I will marry you,” I choke out.
He stands and cups my face between his hands. The kiss he places on my lips is so sweet and tender. I lock my fingers in the top of his hair and return the kiss with all I have.
Lifting me onto his waist, he then begins to kiss me with more hunger. He groans and breaks the kiss, pecking my nose. I search his eyes as I smile.
“I want to see this on your hand,” he says and reaches to pull the ring from the box.
I hold my hand out to him while still wrapped around his waist. Gently, he slips the ring onto my finger. We both stare at it, admiring the piece of art as it rests on my hand. He places his forehead against the side of my face.