Dream On(106)

Devin shrugs, his smile as charming as ever. “Hey, after all the money came in from the talk show circuit we did, how could I not buy this place—through a secretly created LLC, of course, so Dad wouldn’t find out and scuttle the sale. And turning it into an artists’ cooperative with a gallery and studio space only felt right, given everything you did for Perry and me.” Slipping his arm around Mercedes, he squeezes her hip, and she smiles up at him.

A caterer approaches us, holding a tray. “Champagne, anyone?”

Perry hands one to Devin and me, but when he reaches for two more glasses, Mercedes waves him off. “None for me, thanks.”

I look at her sharply. “You’re not drinking? Wait… are you…” I stare at her belly, searching for a bump.

“No.” She laughs. “But…” She gazes up at Devin, who nods encouragingly. “We started trying.”

“Oh my God, guys! That’s so exciting! I won’t say congratulations, since there’s nothing to congratulate… yet… but I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks,” says Devin. “Our therapist agrees we’re in a really good place, and we’re both ready, so why not give it a go? On purpose, this time,” he adds, kissing her sweetly.

I raise my champagne. “Cheers to futures full of possibility.”

“Cheers,” they echo. We clink, and the smoldering look Perry gives me over his glass makes my calves tense and my toes curl inside my boots.

Three hours later, the gallery is mostly empty. Brie finds me chatting with my mom in the corner and gives me one last hug. “Marcus and I are heading out. Congrats again.”

“Thanks, Brie.”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Dropping her chin, she slides a sly look to Perry. He’s kneeling on the floor on the other side of the room with Jackson hanging off his back while Liam yanks his arm in an apparent two-on-one wrestling match. They’re all laughing. My chest fills with warmth.

“Bye, Mel,” she says as she backs away.

“Good night,” Mom calls back. Sighing, Mom checks her watch. “It’s getting late, and I should get the boys to bed.”

“Thanks again for coming, Mom. It means a lot.”

She pats my cheek. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You’ve got a good one there, by the way,” she says, nodding at Perry. “You’re lucky to have each other.”

My responding smile comes straight from my soul. “I know.”

After Perry and I say goodbye to my family, he slings an arm over my shoulder. “Ready to go home, Ms. Artiste?”

“Definitely.”

Gathering our coats, we make the short trek through the snow to our apartment next door. The Colonel hefts himself out of his bed and waddles over when we arrive. At thirteen, he’s slowed down quite a bit, but he still greets us in the living room with his typical tail-wagging bark. “Who’s a good doggie?” I croon as I rub his soft ears. My fingers connect with an unfamiliar collar. Craning my head, I let out a honk of laughter. “Is he wearing a bow tie?” I ask Perry.

Loosening his own tie, he drops his keys on the kitchen table. “Just because he couldn’t come to the show tonight, doesn’t mean he didn’t want to celebrate.”

Standing, I twine my arms around his neck. “That was sweet. Thank you, Perry. For everything. Tonight was perfect.” After two and a half years, I still can’t believe how much I love this man. Being with him is just so… easy. As effortless as breathing.

I kiss him then. It starts out slow and languid, but heat ignites between us, and soon Perry’s tugging off my coat. My fingers find the buttons of his shirt and I run my palms along his bare chest.

“Wait.” He drags himself away, panting. “I—I have another surprise for you.”

“Can’t it wait?” I fumble for his belt buckle, but he holds me firm.

“One minute,” he says. “Wait here.” Eye twinkling, he runs his tongue along his bottom lip and disappears into the bedroom.

Plopping onto a stool in the kitchen, I unzip each boot and slide them off my aching feet. I tap my fingers against my thigh. Gnawing my lip, I meander toward the bedroom and press my ear to the closed door. What is he up to? Suddenly, the door opens, and I tumble into Perry’s arms with a squawk.

Catching me, he laughs. “You couldn’t wait, could you?

“Patience isn’t my strong suit.”

Grazing his knuckles along my cheek, Perry steps back, and I gasp.

Our candlelit bedroom is filled with flowers. Vases of roses fill every available hard surface from the dresser to the nightstands, while hanging garlands drip from the ceiling. And on the bed, our white comforter is sprinkled with ruby-red petals.

“Perry,” I breathe. “When did you do all this?”

He chuckles low in his throat, circling in front of me. He’s removed his tie, shoes, and socks, and his cheeks are tinged with pink. “Earlier tonight. That’s why Brie asked you to get ready at her place.”

Shaking my head, I laugh. “She was in on it?”

“Totally.” He runs his thumb along my knuckles, swallowing. “And… there’s one more thing.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a small black box, and drops to one knee. Inhaling sharply, I cover my mouth.