"I know, baby. I plan on showing you exactly how much I love you, too. Today and every day." He smiles, flashing those perfect teeth at me, making my knees weak.
Chapter twenty-nine
Ander
Why does the fact that Via has no idea what to expect tonight make me feel almost giddy? When I planned this night, I knew she'd fight me every step of the way, but keeping this secret from her has been much more difficult than I expected.
Planning the perfect proposal isn't easy. Via would be happy with me getting down on one knee in the field where our story began, but she deserves so much more. She deserves it all. She deserves the world. I'm going to do anything and everything that I can to make sure she gets it.
Some may think I'm nuts or that this is too soon, but those who know us know this is long overdue. She's been mine since we were eight, and now that I have her back, I don't want to wait. We agreed we would take this thing between us slowly, but we've done the exact opposite.
We quite literally picked up exactly where we left off as if no time had passed between us. Proposing to Via doesn't feel rushed or forced; it just feelsright.
Is it cliche and corny that I'm doing it on Valentine's Day? Absolutely, but the best part is that she's anti-Valentine's Day, so she isn't expecting it at all.
I bought the ring a week after we made it official, and the damn thing is burning a hole in my mind, and I've been dying for the perfect opportunity to ask her.
I planned every detail out precisely, down to our outfits, and damn, does she look stunning in hers. Seeing her like that damn near took the breath from my lungs.
The drive to her home in Sugarland was filled with her cute little grunt-filled sighs, eye rolls, and insistent questions trying to pry for information— that she didn't get.
She'd rather die than make this easy on me. I find it cute that she's so relentless and determined.
Pulling into the driveway of her and Izzy's home, I can feel her deflate next to me as she stares out the window at Izzy's car; something is bothering her.
"What is it, babe? What's wrong?"
She shakes her head and ponders her thoughts a beat before speaking.
"I just. . . I'm really worried about Izzy. She was so happy a few months ago, and now, it's like she and I have reversed roles, and I know how that feels. I know how it feels not just to be physically alone but to feel lonely. I'm just not sure what's going on with her, and I'm worried. Mav officially asked her to move in with him today, and she told him she needed space. I just. . ."
I nod, knowing what she's trying to ask.
"We're early, babe; how about I give you guys about an hour?" Tears fill her eyes, and her slight smile widens as she leans over the console and wraps her arms around me.
"Thank you, Ander." Her words come out soft, barely audible.
I squeeze her as tight as I can in the awkward position we are in, with the console separating us, pressing a kiss on her neck right below her ear.
"You better go before I change my mind and keep you all to myself."
She leans back, letting out that deep laugh that drives my heartbeat. Before I know it, she's out the door of my truck, high heels in hand, walking barefoot in a damn ball gown down her gravel driveway towards her house.
I can't help but think, 'damn, that's my girl.'
I hate this for Izzy and Mav. Mav is a good guy who truly cares about Izzy. He can be annoying as hell sometimes, but he has the purest heart of any man I've ever met. Although I wish they weren't going through this challenging time, I'm glad Izzy's text offered some form of distraction for Via.
I have everything planned, but I need to call my buddy Silas to ensure everything is in motion.
Silas was a chef on our oilfield rig, and we've always stayed in contact. The man is the best damn cook I've ever met. He opened a high-end fine-dining restaurant in New Orleans last year and has been asking me to come try it out. I've just never had a reason to dine so classy until now. Silas is in on the proposal and is helping me pull this off. I rented out his entire rooftop balcony dining area, and his crew is working on bringing my vision to life.
I may not be popping the question at the beach or in the spot that's been our place since we met, as she might expect, but I plan on bringing all the memories to life for her. Not that she needs the reminder, but I want to bring to life our journey of getting to where we are. I want her to see exactly why I never lost hope and why she's so damn special to me. She needs to know why I'll never stop loving her.
The phone rings a few times, and just before I hang up, Silas' deep, gravel voice cuts through the line.
"Bear, I swear this woman of yours better be worth all of this, man."
"She is worth all of this and so much fucking more. How's it coming along?"
