31. Nixon

Chapter 31

Nixon

"Your hair is so long," Savvy murmurs as she runs her fingers through the strands.

"I know. I started growing it out when I decided to move home. You always liked it longer."

"You grew it out for me?" She stares into my eyes as a slow smile spreads across her lips.

"Anything to get your attention, babe."

"I didn't recognize you when I first saw you in the kitchen when I came home," she admits, moving closer to me. She tugs my arm around her shoulders and melts into my side.

"I would've recognized you anywhere."

"You're a liar!"

"Nah. You have the most beautiful eyes and they didn't change one bit. Your curves are a bit more defined, but other than that, you look the same. I can't believe you didn't recognize me though." I stick out my bottom lip in a pout.

"You're even hotter than you were in high school. You look a lot more manly too." She cups my cheek, letting her fingers brush over the stubble on my jaw.

"I'm glad." I roll my eyes. "I want to show you something."

Grabbing my laptop off the coffee table, I open up the new website I created for Catalino's. Savannah and I have been working on different ideas for the website and app. I think I finally got it perfect last night.

"Nix! This is amazing!" She takes the laptop from me and clicks through the site. "Oh! I love the little pop up! It's so cute!"

I watch her in amazement. She's so much happier than the woman who walked into the kitchen the day before Thanksgiving. She's carefree and comfortable. There's no awkwardness between us and I love it.

Every day we wake up and have coffee together. Some days I go to the restaurant with her and others she goes alone. She's been spending a lot of time working with some new brides to get their weddings planned.

Since she moved home last month, she's gone above and beyond to promote the restaurant as the best catering you can ask for at your wedding. She's spent time marketing and getting Catalino's name out there for wedding planners and brides. I couldn't be prouder of the progress she's made.

I try to get more of my work done during the day. I don't want to be up all hours of the night when I could be sleeping with Savannah in my arms. I'd rather climb into bed with her and force myself to accomplish every task I need to when she's working too.

"This is so much better than I imagined it being!" Savannah places the laptop back on the coffee table and pushes me back into the couch cushion. She straddles my lap and stares deep into my eyes. "Thank you, Nixon."

"You're very welcome, sweetheart."

I place my hands on her hips and hold her still. I love this woman more than anything and knowing I made the perfect website for her makes me really happy.

"I have about an hour before I need to leave to meet a bride. What do you think we should do with our time?" She flashes me a devilish grin.

"I'm sure I can come up with a few ideas." I nip at her neck before peppering her skin with kisses.

She quickly strips both of our shirts over our heads and tosses them on the floor. Before she can do anything else, I stand up, taking her with me. I jog down the hall, more than happy to have some time with her before she goes to work.

One Month Later

"Just a few more steps." I walk backwards until she's in the center of the room, then let go of her hands. "Ok, you can open your eyes."

Savannah slowly opens her eyes and glances around. Her brows furrow as she takes in the barn I've spent the last two weeks cleaning and repairing to make it perfect.

"What is this place?" She spins in a circle taking it all in.

"I thought it would be really cool to own a property where we could host weddings."

"What?" She spins around to face me.

"You've done an amazing job with the brides you've worked with so far. A few of them have said they wished you had your own venue because they loved working with you. I figured maybe this could be what you want to do when you grow up… or we can have a farm." I frown, realizing maybe I should've asked her if this is something she would've wanted.

"You bought this for me?" She turns to glance around the space again.

I reach into my pocket and tug out the ring box. I've been holding onto this for weeks. I went out and bought Savannah a ring as soon as she went back to college. I have no doubt I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but I wanted her to get settled in her new world before I proposed.

"Savvy, I can't get down on one knee, but I have something to ask you."

She gasps as she turns to face me again. Her wide eyes fall to the box in my hands and they widen impossibly larger.

"I've known you were the woman I wanted by my side since we were little. I didn't know it was love back then, but I know it is now. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, Savvy? Marry me and make me the happiest man in the world."

"Yes!" She squeals as she throws herself into my arms.

I don't waste a second, ducking my head and capturing her lips. I swear I'm never going to get enough of this woman.

"But can we get married soon?" She pulls back and blinks up at me.

"We can get married as soon as you'd like. I have a venue and caterer in mind." I wink, making her giggle. "You just need a dress and I guess we should invite some people."

"I want our wedding to be the first one we host here." She turns her back to me and stares up at the beams. "We can hang lights on the beams and place flowers here and here." She motions around the room.

I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her waist. I listen to all of her ideas for her perfect wedding and know I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure she gets the wedding of her dreams.

"Oh, Nixon! This place is beautiful! You did such an amazing job fixing it up!" Carla steps into the barn and takes in the space.

"You did good, son." Donny pats me on the back and smiles at his daughter. She's smiling ear to ear, appreciating her new ring. "I see you have some new jewelry. Congratulations, sweetheart."

Donny wraps his daughter in a big hug before releasing her and tugging Carla into his side.

"I'm so proud of the two of you," Carla gushes. "It's always been a dream of mine to see the two of you get married. I knew you were born to be together."

"I'm pretty sure she's been planning your wedding since you wore diapers." Donny grins.

"Oh! You can finally call me mom!" Carla swipes a tear from her cheek and sucks in a slow breath. She's trying to keep in control of her emotions, but she's never been good at it.

"Alright, Ma. Let's not cry too much or you're going to make me think you're sad." I roll my eyes, teasing her.

"Of course I'm not sad, Nixon!" She swats at my arm, making me chuckle. "I'm just wondering how long it will take for you two to give me grandbabies."