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“I needed to come down anyways, Asher and I need to work some things out. But you’re what’s important right now. I’ve missed my bestie.” She smiles as she tilts her head down to her shoulder and Sterling returns the gesture.
“Right this way.” We hear another host walking three more people toward our table. This time, they’re for me.
“Boss man! What’s up?” Jax’s voice reaches us first, followed by my mother and sister.
“Hey honey,” my mother greets me as she approaches us, Virginia in step and Jax right behind them.
“Hey mom.” I stand up to kiss her on the cheek then reach to hug Ginny. Sterling is now eyeing Dakota with a stare that sayswhat the fuckand Dakota just shrugs her shoulder.
“So nice to see you again.” Mom reaches for Sterling as she gets up from her chair and hugs her.
Sterling met my mom and sister at my dad’s funeral a few months ago. It wasn’t how I wanted them to meet but nonetheless they did, and my mom has gushed on and on about how much she loves Sterling. She’s had an effect on Virginia as well. They occasionally go to get their nails done on the weekends and Ginny has even opened up to her about the new girl at school that she secretly has a crush on.
“You too, Cait,” Sterling says before turning to me with a slightly uneasy glare. I start to feel guilty, hiding this from her when she was just expecting the two of us to go out for a dinner date.
“What about me?” Jax pipes up as my mom and sister take their seats. He pulls my girl into a hug before turning to me to do the same. Jax sits next to my mom, who both sit across from us. Sterling looks to her left and there are two more empty chairs next to her and I know she’s trying to put something together in her head.
“So, who else is joining us?” She turns to look at me, trying to seem unaffected but I know she senses something’s up.
Everyone smiles politely at each other before the server comes back and asks the others what they’d like to drink. I reach my hand under the table and squeeze Sterling’s thigh which elicits a small moan out of her. She seems a little on edge but soon, I’ll be able to tell her.
“Do you want any appetizers?” I ask her as I try to calm my nerves.
“Did someone say appetizers?” A little voice speaks up from beside Sterling and everyone including the waitress looks over. But the look on Sterling’s face when this particular guest shows up is the one I was anticipating the most.
“Sara?” Sterling rushes out of her seat and picks up the thirteen-year-old girl, swinging her in her arms. “Oh my gosh, what are you doing here?” Sterling looks up behind Sara to see Miss Nguyen, formerly Mrs. Chen.
“Well, someone’s boss called and asked if I would be down to come eat some bomb food while he asked you to-”
“That’s enough Saralee.” Her mom nudges her, and I slide my hand down my face thankful that she didn’t continue any further.
Sara giggles as she slides in next to Sterling.
“You did this?” she whispers to me as everyone requests drinks and appetizers from the server. I simply smile and reach over, feathering a knowing kiss to her lips.Of course, I did this. I’d do anything for you,I want to say.
For the next hour, we all share stories and life updates and talk about future plans as we enjoy tasty food, drinks, and company.
I look around and I love seeing how happy Sterling is. This is what I’ve been missing in my life. And I know she feels the same. I wish I would’ve been able to get in touch with her brother and her mom, but I knew there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to, and honestly, I’m not sure if she’d be ready for that right now anyways. I just wanted to make sure she was surrounded by as many loved ones as possible for tonight.
“Did we leave room for dessert?” the waitress asks as she clears plates from the table.
“You got one of them cookie skillet things?” Sara speaks up from beside Sterling and everyone breaks into a laugh.
“Can we get one of them cookie skillet things?” I ask as I lean over to wink at Sara, “And the other dessert special that you guys are having.” The server nods at me knowingly but Sterling looks around confused.
“The other dessert special?” she asks, and suddenly everyone leans in and is attentive. Those were the code words.
It’s time.
I get up from my seat and pull Sterling over to my chair, at the edge of the table. Dakota gets her phone out and my mom already has tears falling from her eyes.
Sterling looks at me like I’m crazy, but then I get down on one knee and level with those gorgeous blue eyes I fell in love with months ago.
“Callan,” she whispers, and I give her a smirk before I begin my speech.
“Sterling, I am so in love with you. Everything that you are and all that you do is everything I never knew that I needed. You have brought out the best in me, even on my worst days.” My hands start to get clammy as I reach into my pocket. “I was not in the right headspace when we first met, but I knew without a doubt that you were all I could think about. And now, I’m sure that I never want to live this life without you.” Nervousness begins to wash over me as I feel everyone’s eyes burn into us, but I relax when I remember that the only ones that matter are hers.
“I made a promise to you.” I pull out her promise ring, the one she was frantically searching for earlier. She gives me the most devilish smirk and it awakens something in me, but I adjust myself and continue with my speech. I put the ring back in place, on her right hand.
