ONE WREN

Caffrey’s head shot up off the gray dog pillow in the corner, just below the built-in shelves.

He glanced past my desk and whined toward the door. He’d been doing this for the last fifteen minutes, which wasn’t normal for him. Typically, he only acted up when Tom was around to rile him. Seeing them wrestling on the floor was just the cutest thing. But apart from his father’s bad influence, my almost eighty-five-pound dog was as well-behaved as a purse puppy.

“No, Caf,” I warned. He turned and his big blue eyes locked on me. “Daddy will be here soon.”

Avery groaned from the antique chaise on the far side of the room. “How many times do I have to say don’t call him that.”

I chuckled. “Yet you’re fine when you do it to Chris.”

“Only when he’s talking to Laney.” Avery rubbed her round belly. “As of today it’s only three more weeks.”

There was just a touch of awe in her voice. She was the most adorable pregnant person. All belly and smiles. I didn’t know who was more excited about their daughter, Avery or Chris. Especially since the Revs’ plane was landing any minute and the guys would all finally be back in Boston.

Chris had stressed through most of spring training, but Avery wanted her maternity leave to start once Delaney was born. So, she refused to leave the zoo early and spend the last seven weeks in Florida with Chris. She and I ended up staying at each other’s house multiple times a week just to keep her hubby from worrying she was alone. It also made Tom feel better. He stressed more than he needed to about me being lonely.

But I’d had no time for loneliness. Since December I’d been on the final push getting our gallery ready to open to the public. My eyes scanned my private office and pride rose up in my chest. Every detail of this place, from the thick crown molding that ran through every room, to the old wide plank hardwood, had been a team effort between Tom and me. It couldn’t have turned out better.

The way each room was done to fit the vibe of the art in it was special. And I knew our patrons would love it. But there had been a ton to do in the last two months. I spent hours placing the art and seating in the perfect way to ensure each piece stood out.

So, it was good he was busy with baseball because I had plenty of time to focus on our dream. Especially since we had spent most of November and December traveling through Europe. Something the items of my shelves proved, every one covered with the trinkets we’d picked up.

During, our first baseball offseason we’d spent a few weeks in Asia. I had been dying to go to Bali, and Tom wanted to do India. It had been amazing and relaxing, but this past fall we took in the art of Europe. Tom knew with the gallery opening and we’d be too busy for a few years to do another trip, so he insisted we got to see as much as Europe as we could. The way that man spoiled me still made my heart skip. Honestly, just the thought of him still caused that flutter in my chest even two years later.

“I’m surprised they haven’t landed.” I eyed my phone which sat silent on my desk. I’d expected him about an hour ago. And since Avery was hanging out, I assumed Chris would show up to dote on her and drive her home. So, it was just weird that we hadn’t heard from them yet.

“Yeah.” Avery shifted awkwardly and tucked her hair behind her ear not looking at me. That wasn’t at all suspicious.

“Avery?” I cocked my brow.

Before she could respond Caffrey jumped up and sprinted out the extra high doorway heading into main lobby. I pushed back from my desk and hurried out the door behind him.

“Caff—” The words died as I took in Tom squatting low in the center of the room rubbing his belly, while Chris stood three steps away. He was probably hoping that Caffrey would keep his tongue to himself. Although Chris didn’t mind his Atlantic Puffin being up close and personal, he wanted no part of Caffrey’s saliva.

“He won’t get you,” Avery teased, with a slight giggle, from behind me.

Chris’s head snapped her way and he moved toward us. My gaze stayed on Tom as he pushed to his feet and I met him half way through the huge space.

“Baby girl.” The whisper brushed through my hair as he pulled me into a tight hug while Caffrey circled around us, whining for a bit more attention.

“Welcome home,” I mumbled into his shoulder relishing the feel of his arms around me and in the spicy scent of his cologne that I’d missed in the last few weeks. He shifted back, releasing me. From behind my back, he pulled a single red rose.

“A single rose for the woman who managed to put this place together almost single handedly. It looks perfect baby girl.”

I took the deep red flower into my fingers, my cheeks heating at the compliment. But my chest swelled as I watched his eyes roam the lobby’s vaulted ceiling. The detailed iron work of the railings popped in the light. A massive chandelier hung down two of the five stories, showing off each level of balcony on the five floors. Each level opened to the lobby created the illusion of more space, making the entrance impressively memorable.

Nothing but the lobby, a small gift shop, some offices, and the massive circular stairs were on the first floor. We had decided to keep the art, away from the entrance noise. Patrons would like to sit and enjoy the quiet and being a level up would help with that.

Tom’s attention shifted back to me. “Can you walk me through it?” Tom stepped back but grabbed my hand in his. In the weeks he’d been gone I’d missed the simply support of his calloused hand in mine. A feeling of home swamped me.

I nodded. Although I’d taken him on video tours multiple times in the past few weeks it was different seeing it in person.

“We’re heading out,” Chris said from across the room. “You’ll have to give me a tour another time.”

“Thanks for your help.” Tom tipped his chin at his son in law.

“That’s what family is for.” Chris gave him a rare almost smile.

“See you later Dad, Wren.” Avery waved as Chris helped her with her coat and ushered her out the door. It might have taken a couple months for everyone in our lives to settle down to the idea of Tom and me together, but these days, it had all become easy.

Even my parents embraced our relationship. It turned out I was right about my father and Tom’s relationship not changing much. The two still hung out, played poker and golf and bullshitted about the club.

“Come on.” Tom pulled my arm leading me up the wide circular staircase to the second level. As we headed up the steps Caffrey slipped back into my office, knowing he wasn’t allowed upstairs.

Tom stopped just on the landing and smiled. “This place is so much more than I ever imagined it would be.” He released my hand and moved to the table with the basket of radios for the guided tour. He picked up a red rose off the table and held it out for me. “For you, because your smile lights up my world.”

“You’re extra sweet tonight.”

He just smiled and looked around praising the layout of the paintings. Each of the connecting rooms magically had another rose. As we moved through each of the floors he handed me more roses, each time with a simple statement about how I added to his life.

“I think you might have been here for longer than you’re letting me believe,” I said as handed in hand we headed up to the top floor. This level wasn’t broken up into small room instead it was a large space with all of Tom’s favorites.

I gasp as I looked around the room. Battery operated candles cover the entire space.

“How?” I whispered. He took the eighteen roses out of my arms and slipped them into an empty vase on a table in the corner before coming back to me.

“I might have had some help from Chris and some of the other guys.” He stepped in front of me and took my hands into his.

Staring into my eyes he swallowed. Before I could ask what was going on he dropped to one knee. And my heart skipped.

We’d talked about marriage over the last few months but just as something in the future.

“Wren. Two years ago, a trip to New York changed my entire life, because it gave me you. You’re the person that makes my every day better, the woman that turns me on and makes me smile. We share a friendship, a home, and an amazing gallery you designed.” He smiled. “I’d love to share a last name too. So what do you say, will you do me the biggest honor of letting me call you my wife?”

My lips pulled up into a smile as I nodded. “As long as you promise to still call me baby girl too.”

Chuckling, he rose to his feet. He released my hand to pull a ring out of his pocket. My hand trembled as I held it out for him to slip the huge diamond onto my finger. Once the sparkling solitaire, set on a band of small diamonds was in place he lifted my hand to his lips.

“You will forever be my baby girl,” he promised before he pulled me against him, kissing me.

I might not have ever planned this, but standing in our gallery that was set to open next week, wrapped in Tom Wilson’s arms with his ring on my finger, it was easy to believe nothing could ever be better.