Page 104 of Parentmoon

I softly chuckle. “I think we said hello back in March.” It’s now April.

“No, darlin’. We officially met the night Michael and Keli introduced you to me. That was our Hello Day.”

“It . . .” What? Flipping a mental calendar through my head, the dates line up. One year ago today, Dallas and I officially said hello, although I don’t remember if that was his exact greeting. “Did you even say hello? That wasn’t exactly a best first impression.”

“But you made a beautiful impression on me.”

Such a charmer. He told me again how that hug imprinted on him. How my laugh stirred his heart and how every moment Michael shared added to his desire to know me.

“We should have sex,” I blurt.

Dallas blinks. Then his large body rumbles as he chuckles at my abruptness. “I like your way of thinking.”

“That was your proposal in Belize. And my second impression of you.”

“My proposal, huh?” Dallas stares at me, his mouth crooking up in the corner. “Well, I have a new proposal for you.” He opens a drawer in the kitchen island cabinet and removes a square box. As he slides the container over the countertop, I stare down at it.

“I could do this all romantic with moonlight, a tropical beach, and bent knee, and I’ll do it that way if you’d prefer. You can forget you see that box before you. But standing here, looking at you sittin’ all casual and comfortable in my kitchen, I know what I want. A once-in-a-lifetime, Jo. That’s you, darlin’.”

Glancing up at him, my vision clouds. I blink back the sudden tears, uncertain what he’s saying. What he’s asking. But hopeful . . .

“Are you . . .” I swallow around the lump in my throat. The disbelief and desire for this to be real swirls in my stomach.

“Marry me, Josephine Hudson.”

He pauses as I’m still trying to catch up to this moment.

“I’m too old to keep waiting.” Dallas says. “While Michael gave his name to Keli, I want to give my name to you, darlin’.”

I stare at him, too happy to actually cry. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes.”

We fell in love in ten days. We skipped the boyfriend-girlfriend phase. “Half my life might be over, but I’m ready for the other half to begin and I’m not wasting a second without you, either.”

Dallas rounds the counter, and opens the box, slipping a three-carat diamond on my finger.

And after another round of yesses, the ring is the only thing I’m wearing.

Epilogue 2

[Dallas]

The church doors fling open. I’ve been waiting for this moment for five months.

My breath hitches as I take in the details of her dress. The wide scoop neck rests on her shoulders, giving me clear sight of that spot at the base of her neck where she likes me to nip her. Where she’ll go weak for me.

Jo didn’t have an elaborate first wedding and I insisted she wear something formal and white for round two. But I’m not coming in second place. She assures me over and over again, I’m her first choice in everything. Love. Future. Family.

On that note, Michael stands beside her but suddenly Jo is handing him her large bouquet of flowers.

What the hell is she doing?

A wide grin fills her face and then I can almost hear her laughter as she hitches up the sides of the full skirt, that flows down to her feet, and sets off running.

Toward me.

Jo is racing down the aisle. Minus an escort from Michael. Minus flowers in her hands.

Just Jo.