Every Glance (Every Life #3) (37 page)

But, you know…bro code. His words.

Simon didn’t understand the last comment about being married for the first time, but I do. And that’s exactly what changed my course. It’s exactly what made me decide to pull back the reins and show her exactly how much
unlike
Carter I am.

Unfortunately, it’s probably going to test her patience
and mine.

But it’ll be worth it.

THIS IS THE day.

Six months ago, Sawyer and Makenna were married and Shane was born. Six months ago, I set out on this path to show Devyn how much she means to me and prove to her that there’s nothing I won’t do for her. I didn’t think this day would ever come, but looking back, it’s flown by.

Having Devyn in my life has completely changed me for the better. I wake up each morning with a positive, fresh perspective on life and love and family. Until I’d experienced it for myself, I never would’ve believed life would be like this, that I could be this blissfully, euphorically, bone-deep happy.

I knew from the very beginning of our relationship that this day would come. Without a shadow of doubt, I knew that Devyn and Simon would not only be my family, they’d be my entire life. And this is the life I never even knew I’d wanted until they walked into it, but it consumes me now. Every day for the last six months has been filled with an unspoken promise of forever. Unspoken because I’ve been waiting for today to make it known.

Well, the truth is, it’s not entirely unspoken because everyone in my life knows my plans except for Devyn.

Every single day for the last six months, I’ve been snapping another little piece of the puzzle into place, creating the perfect way to show her what she means to me, and Simon has played a big part in it, too. I’ve worked hard to show Devyn and Simon what a real relationship and family should be like, but honestly, it all came easily to me. I stressed about everything at first because I never had the best role models in the relationship department, so I would lie awake at night and question whether I was doing it right. But I could see the answers right there in their faces the next day. Right there...in every smile…in every glance. I saw love returned right back to me. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

My phone buzzes on my mattress right next to my pillow. I was at the hospital until around three this morning, so I knew I wouldn’t wake up unless my phone was right by my head. “Hello,” I croak out, sleep still clinging to me heavily.

“Good morning, handsome,” Devyn sings. “Were you still asleep?”

I smile at the sound of her voice. “Just woke up right before you called. I was actually thinking about you.”

“Well, if you’d ever stop being stubborn and decide we should move in together, you could be doing more than just thinking about me right now.”

That’ll change today, I hope. “I know. I just want to make sure it’s the right time before we make any major decisions like that. It’s only been a few months that we’ve been together.” This’ll get her going.

“Dalton.” She lets out a long weary breath. “It’s been nearly seven months since I brought Simon into your clinic that day. Don’t you remember? I’m not trying to be pushy or anything, but I love you so much and I’m hoping to take another step before I’m eighty.”

Oh, don’t I know it. I’ve been purposely slowing things down a little, especially the last several days, just to give tonight a little more dramatic effect. She just might kill me tonight because she’s going to know I’ve been torturing her.

“We will. I promise. There’s no one else in the world that I’d rather be with, but with Simon in the picture, I don’t want to move things too fast for him.” This is true, but he’s one of our biggest backers. I’m not at all concerned that he’s feeling like it’s moving too fast. He’s more impatient than his mom.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sorry. I guess for some reason I’m feeling like you’ve been backing off lately. I mean, not to say you’ve acted any differently toward me, but I just feel like there’s some distance. And added on to the fact that you haven’t stayed overnight the last couple of weeks, it’s making me a little crazy. I know your work schedule has been hectic lately, though, and I totally understand the reason why I haven’t gotten to see you much. I just want to be sure I haven’t done anything wrong…aside from sounding like a whiny, possessive girlfriend because I totally am right now.”

Hmm. I may be pulling back a little too effectively. “I love you even more when you’re whiny and possessive. You have done everything right, I promise you, and I’m looking forward to spending today with you, even if it does involve your parents.”

She sighs softly, and I can sense her smile. “I can’t wait to see you. It’s been three days.”

Yeah, three long days ago. I was leaving for work, and I looked back over my shoulder at my bed. The sun was just beginning to break over the horizon, so the room had only a faint hazy glow, allowing just enough light to see her tangled in my sheets and only wearing a sleepy grin. I can’t wait to see that every morning.

“Mmm, you don’t play fair. You planted that little memory in my mind on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Maybe,” she chuckles. “But it backfired on me. I was thinking about watching you shower that morning. I know I complained about it when you bought it, but the new clear shower curtain was a lovely choice.”

Damn, she fights fire with fire. I’m glad I get to see her today because I can’t wait another minute with her talking like that. Devyn doesn’t know it yet, but Simon is staying over at Aiden’s for the next two nights, and I plan on making up for lost time tonight.

“You’re killing me, and you know it, too.”

“Yep. That’s what you get for making me wake up all alone in my great big bed. And I’m still in it, if that helps with the visual at all.”

I groan aloud, and she cackles.

“I’m going to run and get a shower, and I’ll be over there in a couple of hours to pick you up. I highly suggest you’re out of bed and fully clothed or we won’t ever make it to your parents’ house today. Not that I need a reason to miss out on a garden party.” She doesn’t need to suspect for a minute that this is something I want to do.

“Oh, you’ll be fine. I can’t believe that my parents even wanted to invite our friends to the party. Usually, it’s just my dad’s stuffy golf buddies. I’ll reward you handsomely for behaving and at least
acting
like you’re enjoying yourself.”

“I’m going to hold you to that. I’ll see you very soon.”

By the time I pick her and Simon up, I’m getting nervous about today. Simon keeps looking at me strangely, and he even stops me on the porch when Dev has to go back inside the house to get something.

“Keep it together,” he says. “You can’t crack now.”

“What?”

He points to my hands. “You’re fidgeting and making stupid jokes. She’s going to know that something’s up.”

“Do you think she suspects anything?” I ask, mentally running through all possible ways I can throw her off my trail.

He lowers his voice to a whisper after rolling his eyes. “She will in about three seconds if you don’t chill out.”

The door thuds behind me, and I spin around to meet Devyn’s wide eyes.

“Something wrong?” she asks, looking back and forth at the two of us.

“See?” Simon huffs and hops down the front steps.

“See what?”

Simon throws a grin over his shoulder. “Oh, mom. Just guy talk. I made a bet that you’d take longer than just a minute to get back out here. You always make us late.”

I let out the breath I was holding. “But she’s pretty.”

Yeah, nice save, asshole.

And the look that Simon gives me tells me that he’s pretty much thinking the same.

I can’t say that the ride to her parents’ house is any better. My heart is pounding so hard that I can hear it in my ears, and my stomach feels like it’s in my throat. By some miracle, I’ve been able to maintain a steady conversation with Devyn, but I have no idea what I’ve said or agreed to.

“Looks like everyone else made it here before us.” Devyn announces as we turn into the wide circle drive.

“Yeah, mom,” Simon deadpans. “It’s because we’re late.”

“There you guys are,” Callie calls out from the front door as we approach the pansy-lined brick walkway. She gives me a little conspiring wink. “I was starting to wonder if you were going to make it today. Devyn, your mom took Shane from me as soon as we walked in the door, and I don’t think she’s planning on giving her back.”

She folds Callie in her arms in a tight hug. “If I know my mom at all with babies, you should probably just plan on having another one.”

“Or
you
could just have one,” Callie quips, sending me into a choking fit.

Devyn watches Simon—oblivious of our conversation, thankfully—bound through the front door, and she leans into Callie with a panic-stricken, nervous smile. “Oh, I can hardly get the man to stay overnight lately, so I’m not sure how that would even happen.”

“Funny.
Really
funny.” I fire back, not finding much humor in it. Devyn busts my balls well enough on her own, so Callie certainly doesn’t need to help her. But that’s okay, Devyn is going to be eating those words soon enough. She’s going to know exactly what my intentions have been for the last six months.

Devyn spins on her heel, snickering, and walks through the door to greet her mother, and I narrow my eyes at Callie, making an attempt at filling my glare with every ounce of warning I can muster. “I don’t need her pissed off at me before we can get through this day, if you don’t mind.”

“Hey, you’re the one who’s made her all paranoid.” She playfully punches at my bicep. “Besides, I like to make you squirm.”

I hook my arm around her neck and kiss the top of her head. “Well, it’s working. Now, be sweet. I’m barely hanging onto my sanity right now. Even Simon told me I need to chill.”

“Everything’s going to go perfectly. So stop worrying, get your ass in there, and let’s get this show on the road.”

“There he is!” Devyn’s mom gushes. “How are you, darling?”

I accept the kiss on the cheek and squeeze her shoulders. “I’m excited this day is finally here.”

“We all are, sweetheart. Let’s go inside before she gets suspicious, okay?”

Entering into the cool foyer, I survey the room. It’s beautifully decorated, as always, but I can see a few other special touches that have been added to the room at my request. In the back of the room, there’s a wide vase with a bouquet of tulips—Devyn’s favorite flowers—tied with a silky ribbon. Atop the glossy fireplace mantle, an ornate wooden box sits just beneath the flat screen television, inconspicuously blending into the other décor. And the furniture has been arranged so that a leather armchair is now situated at the center of the room, between the couch and sofa, for the guest of honor to be unknowingly directed to.

There are a few faces in the room that I don’t recognize, but they’ve all been asked here because they are a part of Devyn’s life. Well, that’s if you don’t count a few of her parents’ friends that I’m sure are only here because I’m a “successful family practitioner,” as I was introduced just now to the county judge.

Aside from those few, though, every person in this room has played a part in making today possible. Every person has kept my secret for six excruciating months because of their love for Devyn and me. Seeing the bright smiles of everyone here is a reminder of how loved I really am. This is my family.

“Devyn, sweetheart, did you see the new chair that daddy surprised me with this week?” Her mom takes her by the elbow and leads her to the center of the room. Devyn doesn’t seem to be picking up on the fact that she’s speaking unnaturally loud so that everyone can hear the code phrase. “You must try it out. The leather is as soft as butter.”

“Okay, Mom,” she says, lowering into the chair as the room falls completely silent. “Uh…” Her eyes dart nervously around the suddenly quiet room, and she finds all eyes staring back at her. “Well, since when has my opinion about chairs become so important for the world to stop turning until I give it?”

Here we go. The culmination of the last several months has finally arrived. And I seemed to have left my lungs outside somewhere because I suddenly can’t find a breath.