Page 101 of Come Take Me Now

I watched condensation collect on his short glass of straight liquor on ice. “She’s good. Killing it in grad school and almost done.”

“Her mom told me that. And you two…?”

“Have been together the whole time.”

“Long-distance?”

“Yep,” I answered shortly.

“And neither of you cheated?” he asked in disbelief. I gave him a look that would have killed. “Sorry, that was rude. Just my history. I owe Tilly so many apologies. She was right. I dodged a bullet with Clarissa,” he added with a laugh, but I didn’t find any of it funny.

“Charlie, if you see me at one of these things again, do me a favor and keep walking.”

I stalked off before he could respond.

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. “What’d he want?”

“Just to see how you were. Make sure I’m treating you right. He said he owes you an apology, but I’d never tell you to make up with him unless that’s what you wanted,” I explain.

“I don’t want that,” she quickly replies. “And I wouldn’t tell you to make up with your mom, either.” I give her a faint smile and rest my arm on the center console. She places her hand in mine, and I lift our joined hands to my lips to kiss the back of hers.

At least she knows now, and I can focus on how I want to pop the question. Tonight feels a little soon with the graduation and move. I don’t want to overwhelm her, so giving it a couple of days might be better. There’s no rush after two years.

We make it to Napa by seven. I’ll need to program her car’s built-in opener so she can park inside the garage. For now, I park next to my truck—now jokingly referred to as Old Reliable. But it’s paid off.

“Want a glass of wine or anything? Something to celebrate?” I ask, absentmindedly staring inside the refrigerator.

“Uh, no,” she answers at the kitchen island on a barstool.

I snap my head up to look at her. “Really? We need to celebrate after all.”

“Enzo, I have a belated birthday present for you,” she says.

My phone chimes in my pocket with a doorbell notification. Robby’s here on time as planned. “Hold that thought. I have a surprise for you.”

I open the front door where Robby is holding the fluffy golden puppy. “You owe my kids some toys,” Robby says, laughing. “He’s a terror.”

“Aw, buddy.” I carefully take the puppy from him. “Thank you for watching him.”

“Enzo!” Tilly shrieks, coming around from behind me. “Is this for me?” she asks, grinning ear to ear.

“Happy graduation,” I say.

“Congrats, Tilly,” Robby adds.

“Thanks, Robby.”

“Send me links. I’ll get them whatever,” I tell Robby, and he nods.

“Bet. Goodnight, guys.”

“Thank you again, Robby,” I call after him. I shut the front door and set the puppy down. “He’s a yellow Lab.” Tilly sits on the floor, sitting back on her heels to pet him.

“He looks like a nugget,” she laughs.

“I thought when he’s bigger, you could take him for runs.”

“Well,” she starts.