Jared rested his hand on mine. “I know you do. But it doesn’t have to be an elaborate event. We’re engaged, we’re living together…is there a problem I should be aware of?”
“Of course not,” I smiled. “I just need a little more time.”
Jared’s contrived smile didn’t hide the heavy disappointment in his eyes, but I pretended not to notice. I wanted to marry him more than anything, but I wanted to do it right. I certainly didn’t want to feel rushed to get home from our honeymoon because of chapters to study, papers to write, or learning how to run another department of Jack’s company.
“A year is a reasonable engagement. Two years is….” he trailed off, clearly vexed by the idea of waiting another year.
“We won’t have a two year engagement, Jared,” I assured him.
“So you’re going to settle on a date sometime this year?” he asked, hopeful. The look in his eyes made it impossible to say anything but yes.
“I wil . I just have to find time to plan a wedding between twenty hours of school and Titan.” I felt my expression compress as I thought about the ramifications of my statement.
Jared looked ahead, his eyes tightening with focus. “I wil find time. I wil create time if I have to.”
“Wel , you do have Divine connections. I’m sure you could make that happen,” I teased. I peered up the giant tree, squinting from the sunshine poking through the leaves. The branches swayed with the breeze, and I smiled. “I love it here.”
“Good. I do, too.”
“It’s so amazing that Gabe brought Lil ian to this exact spot.” My eyes lingered on the rudimentary heart and initials of Jared’s parents, and then on the elegant details of the vines and leaves inside the heart with our initials inside. I looked back to Jared’s glowing blue-grey eyes. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Just get my fiancé to actual y marry me,” he said, winking.
I pressed my lips together into a tight line. “I said I’d set a date.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Jared said, raising an eyebrow.
“Is that a chal enge?”
“Whatever works,” Jared grinned.
“I promise. I’ll set a date.”
“Within the next ten years?” he asked playful y.
“I’ll set a date for this year,” I said, stubbornly raising my chin.
“This year,” Jared repeated, dubious.
“Did you think I was kidding when I said yes?”
“No. I just didn’t realize when you said yes that you meant someday.” His tone was lighthearted, but I felt a twinge of guilt in my chest. Jared immediately reacted. “I’m kidding, sweetheart,” he said, tucking my hair behind my ear. Instead of the ends of my hair wrapping around the bottom of my ear like it used to, it brushed against my shoulder.
I looked down, picking at my fingernails. “I know, but it’s true. You didn’t expect a long engagement.”
“Wel , I assumed maybe a year with everything happening so fast. But when the year came and went and you never so much as mentioned it….”
“Oh. You think it’s not important to me,” I said, my face feeling hot.
“I didn’t say that,” he quickly backpedaled.
I looked up at him under my lashes. “But that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Wel ,” he hesitated, “you do tend to insinuate that there are other things you’d rather focus on. I understand, but I can’t help but be a little disappointed. It was my idea after al ,” he grinned, kissing my forehead.
I slowly crawled into his lap. “I love you, Jared Ryel. There is nothing I want more than to be your wife. I promise to get right to work on that date, okay?”
Jared beamed. “Thank you.” His lips traveled to mine, but quickly pul ed away. “You’d better keep this to yourself. I think mom has final y accepted that no amount of encouragement on her part is going to produce a wedding. It’s probably best to let her think you have other things on your mind.”
“Good plan,” I said, leaning him back against the blanket.
He smiled. “Speaking of Lil ian…she invited us to dinner. Apparently, she has a surprise.”
“A surprise….” I trailed off. “Do you know what it is?”
Jared shook his head. “Not a clue.”
I looked at my watch. “We’d better get going if we’re going to wash up and make dinner.”
Jared stood up and brought me with him. We rol ed the blanket and I fastened it to the back of Jared's motorcycle, and then we made a quick stop at the loft, trading the bike for the Escalade.
After a quick stop at Cynthia’s, Jared drove us to his mother’s. We had been to Lil ian’s more than enough times for me to get past the night of the invasion, but no matter how many times we made a visit, an overwhelming sick feeling stil came over me as we pul ed into the drive.
“No need to be nervous,” Jared said.
“I’m not. I’m starting to wonder if it’s post-traumatic stress,” I said with a half-smile.
Jared didn’t share my humor over the subject. “It’s a possibility,” he said as he opened the passenger door.
We walked to the house, and Jared stopped abruptly.
“What?” I asked, scanning his face.
He was working far too hard to mask an emotion. “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
“Jared,” I said as we walked. “Something’s wrong.”
“No. No, everything’s fine.”
The closer we got to the door, the harder my heart throbbed against my chest. Jared reached out with one finger to press the doorbel .
The door swung open, and I gasped. “I don’t believe it.”
“Wel that’s a hel of a reception. I missed you, too.”
“Claire!” I squealed, wrapping my arms around her neck.
She didn’t hug me back, but stood with her hands on her hips. “You confuse me.”
“I’m sorry!” I said, breathless. “I just…I wasn’t expecting you.”
Lil ian walked to Claire’s side, casual y crossing her arms. “Surprise,” she said with her warm, sweet smile.
“Wait,” I said, my eyes darting to everyone. “Does this mean that Ryan is…?”
Claire nodded. “He’s at the Providence VA Hospital to finish his rehabilitation.”
My hands flew up to my mouth, and then I hugged her again. “I’m so glad you’re home,” I whispered into her ear.
“Me too,” Claire smiled.
We sat at the table for dinner. The symphony of our laughter fil ed every inch of the house. I cleared the dessert dishes, and listened to them talk and giggle. I waited in the kitchen, smiling to myself as I soaked in the sound of love Bex, Claire, Lil ian and Jared exchanged, even in their teasing.
“Nina?” Jared call ed.
“Coming,” I said, starting the dishwasher.
“I’m sure Nina wants to hear more about her friend,” Lil ian said.
Jared's expression changed so slightly, that I was sure no one at the table noticed but me. The skin around his eyes tightened as the corners of his mouth turned up—something he always did when he tried too hard to cover how he was feeling. I took his hand in mine and squeezed. He seemed to relax an infinitesimal amount, and I shook my head.