I could see it all in my mind and I laughed. “Does this mean you see a future with me?” I asked softly.
Kissing me gently, he pressed his forehead against mine and looked into my eyes. “I don’t just see my future when I look at you. I see my whole world. I would give up anything and everything to be with you. Just tell me you feel the same way.”
“Hmm, I don’t know if I could give up everything. I kind of like my chocolate. Can we compromise and let me have you and chocolate?” I teased with a wide grin.
He shook his head, laughing. “Anything for you. I love you.”
“I love you, too…always.”
Epilogue
Summer
ONE MONTH LATER
When the investigation came to a close, it was confirmed that Philip had indeed paid off Levi Milner to sabotage Evan in hopes of ruining his football career, and he was also responsible for supplying Peter Trazinsky with the lethal dose of heroin. The media had finally calmed down, and it was nice to be able to walk around town without being harassed by reporters. It was easier being with Evan—when he was around, we weren’t hounded as much. I guess people were afraid of pissing him off. He was a big guy, so I could see why no one would want to get on his bad side. Luckily, we’d made it out of the house with no problems today.
“Where are we going?” I was blindfolded and had been ever since we got in the car.
“Can you not understand that it’s a surprise?” Evan said, chuckling. “We’re almost there.” He helped me out of the car and I stood there while he grabbed something out of the trunk and slammed it shut. “All right, I think we’re ready.” Taking my hand, he guided me to wherever we were going, snickering the entire time.
“I’m glad you think this is funny,” I griped.
“I do. Although I have to say you’re pretty sexy with that blindfold on. Might need to use it on you tonight.”
“Not unless I use it on you,” I countered seductively.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time. You sure have gotten horny here lately.”
I giggled. He was right. Ever since I got pregnant I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off him. He didn’t complain, though. “It’s the hormones. Gotta love ’em.”
“You have no fucking idea.” Evan opened a door and led me inside. Immediately, I knew where we were because of the smell. I’d grown accustomed to the scent of fresh paint, locker rooms, and fried foods from the stadium. When he opened the door to the field, I could feel excitement bubbling in the air. We weren’t alone.
“I have to say I’m intrigued. Can I take off the blindfold? I know where we’re at.”
“You may know where we are, but I’m not ready yet. Bear with me, we just need to go up a few steps.” A few steps ended up being a million by the time we were done. It was a good thing I was only seven weeks pregnant and not fully ripe. I had only a tiny baby bump and a raging case of morning sickness. Once Evan stopped, I breathed a sigh of relief.
“All right, sunshine, you made it.”
As he took off the blindfold, I had to adjust to the light. The sun was shining with not a single cloud in the sky, but the breeze was cool. It was late December and we were still having sixty-degree weather. I wanted snow, but nothing could beat the lavish display Evan had set out for us.
“Evan, this is amazing,” I cried. The bleachers were lined with fluffy blankets, including a large pillow for me to lean on. “You even have a pillow.”
He laughed softly and set down the large basket he had in his hands. “I wanted you to be comfortable. I also brought you some cheese, crackers, grapes, and your favorite,” he said, opening the basket. He pulled out a bowl and opened the top. “Banana pudding.”
Eyes wide, I snatched the bowl and breathed it in. Since I’d gotten pregnant, I couldn’t live without it. It was one of the foods I could eat and not feel like throwing up afterward. “I am so in love with you right now.”
“That’s not all, sunshine. Why don’t you look behind you?”
I looked out onto the field and gasped. “Oh my God, what’s going on?”
Evan took my hand and helped me sit. “I thought we could use some entertainment.”
“I see that. What are they doing here?”
On the field, the local high school band, color guard, and cheerleaders were in uniform and in position. “The school asked if they could practice for their next competition on our field. I thought it’d be fun to watch them.”
Evan handed me a spoon and I smiled as I scooped a huge bite of pudding onto it. “Fun? It’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear them play.”
As if they had heard me, the drummers started up their beats and the band began their hypnotic tunes. Evan moved closer and took my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. My wrist was still sore from where it’d been broken, but thankfully it hadn’t been a bad break. It was my third day without a cast and it was stiff. Lara’d had to take up the computer work at the restaurant since it was hard for me to type with one hand.