Every Glance (Every Life #3)

by Tasha Ivey

  “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.

  Or the ability to move.

  Thankfully, Sawyer gives me a little shove, and I step forward, straightening my suit jacket and clearing my throat. Simon, who is sitting just to the right of his mom, is trying to muffle a giggle.

  Devyn’s gaze snaps to mine, and her jaw drops only slightly.

  Yes, sweetheart, you’ve been duped.

  I take a deep breath and blow it out, forcing myself to get past the fact that the entire room is probably waiting on me to slump into the floor. Unconscious. “First of all…” I take another slow breath. “…I want to let you all know how much it means to me for all of you to be here today and to be such an important part of Devyn’s life and mine. You have all been an integral part in making today happen, and some of you have made me the man that I am today. Without my closest friends, I know I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

  I take three determined steps to the mantle and carefully retrieve the wooden box, lowering it carefully. “And that brings me to why I’m standing here in front of all of you today.” My eyes lock on Devyn’s watery eyes. She’s getting the general idea now, I think, but she hasn’t seen her surprise yet.

  “Devyn, we may have a history, but when you walked back into my life seven months ago, we started rewriting it. And I have to say that I’ve never been happier than the moment you came back into my life and brought with you the coolest kid I’ve ever met. The both of you immediately became my reason for breathing every day. I didn’t know what my life was missing until the two of you made it complete.”

  I watch a glistening tear trail down Devyn’s cheek as I place the wooden box in her lap. “Six months ago today, we were at Sawyer and Makenna’s wedding and Shane was born that same evening. Everything that happened that day further proved what you had already been making me feel…that a family of my own was all I’d ever really wanted. And I made a decision that very night that would steer our course straight to this very moment.” I pause to touch the lid of the box. “Open it.”

  With a quivering lip, she looks up at me, searching for answers and only getting a smile in return. Her eyes fall to the small latch on the front as her finger flicks it up. Lifting the top as if something in there is going to bite her, she finally lets out a sigh when she sees it’s just a small black flash drive. She picks it up and studies it carefully.

  “What’s this for?” Her voice is a mere whisper. I know she was probably expecting a ring to be in there, but I hope to quell her disappointment soon.

  I hold out my hand, allowing her to place it in my palm, and I take it to the front of the room to plug it into the side of the television. Nodding to Wes to turn on the television, I move to the other side of Devyn and kiss her damp cheek. “Just watch.”

  The television blinks to life and a video begins with me on the screen. I’m sure Devyn realizes the video was taken at her house, but what she doesn’t know yet is that it was filmed six months ago today.

  “Devyn,” I begin, the dim light barely allowing a clear view of me. “Today is the first of many that I’ll be doing this, but I need to explain my reasons, so you’ll get the whole picture. Sure, I could just walk into your bedroom where you’re sleeping to tell you these things, but I have reasons why I’m not going to. You see, today, Sawyer and Makenna got married and Callie and Wes had their first child. And me? I realized that I couldn’t wait another second to have what they have.”

  In the video, I look exhausted as I pause to scrub my face with my hand before I continue. I remember filming that first night, the first of many, and knowing without a doubt that it was the most important thing I’d ever do.

  “Tonight at the wedding, I almost asked you a question, but I’m glad I didn’t. If it hadn’t been for Simon, I probably would have.” Devyn scrunches her eyes and peers over at him, clearly wondering what he did to deter me, but Simon just silently beams at her. He was happy to play such a big role. “He shared a secret with me that you had dreamed that we got married and that you said our marriage would be like being married for the first time. It was that moment that I knew I couldn’t ask you the burning question in my heart.”

  Devyn looks back and forth from me to the same man on the screen and covers her mouth with her hand.

  “I couldn’t because I want to live up to that statement. I want the whole experience to be different for you, not just the marriage. I want to date you, to court you, to show you companionship and romance and love. You’ve never really had that, and I want to be the man to give that to you. So today begins the first of many…six months’ worth of days to be exact. Only because I don’t think I can wait a year.”

  “Devyn, I wanted to do this to show you that, even though by now you’ve probably thought that I’ve taken steps back, the whole time I’ve had this goal in mind. You deserve to have a real relationship and not be expected to jump right into marriage. But throughout this entire process, I wanted to be able to give you proof that my intentions were clear and unfaltering. More than anything in this world, I want you and Simon to be my family. So for the first time of many, I want to ask you...”

  The video goes black and soft music begins. Devyn is glued to the screen, but her hand reaches out and clamps onto mine like a vice.

  The date of that first night flashes on the screen, and I reappear, lying in Devyn’s bed. Rolling over with the camera, I kiss the peacefully-sleeping Devyn lightly on the forehead and whisper low enough that it won’t disturb her. “Will you marry me?”

  Devyn squeezes harder and sobs softly, starting to turn to me, but I stop her. “Keep watching.”

  The date of the very next day flashes on the screen, and I’m holding the camera while cooking dinner. “Hello, beautiful,” I say. “I’m just making spaghetti for you and Simon because you’re on your way over here to watch a movie. As a matter of fact, I hear your car outside right now, so I have to make this short. I love you, Devyn. Please, marry me.”

  “I remember you coming to the door with your phone in your hand and a weird look on your face,” Devyn laughs. “I can’t believe you—” Her words fall away as the next day comes into view, and the next, and the next.

  Each day, at some point, I stopped for a few seconds to ask her to be my wife. Some days, I’m in my office at the clinic or in an empty patient room. Other days, I’m out and about or at home. I can’t keep my eyes off Devyn as the realization of what I’ve been doing sinks in. She’s laughing through her tears, watching me make a fool of myself in every clip.

  “It’s three o’clock in the morning.” I look half asleep and stoned, lying on my pillow with only the light of my camera to brighten the dark room. “And I’m just now getting home from the hospital and getting in bed, but I’m missing you. I can’t go to sleep without asking you to be my wife.”

  The next day, the clip shows me sitting in her living room with her in the kitchen in the background. “Marry me, Devyn,” I whisper.

  But it’s not always just me in the video. There’s one of Stan and Ella asking her to marry me so that they could have a pseudo daughter-in-law and pseudo grandbabies. Then there are her sisters on another day, which was a little weird with Kyler being a part of it, but she wanted to show her support of us. Sawyer, Makenna, Wes, and Callie all had their turns begging Devyn to marry me, so we could finally round out the group and they could finally see me settled and happy. Even Devyn’s parents had their tur
n on screen.

  “Hi, Mom.” Yesterday’s date is followed by Simon flashing on the screen. “Dalton finally let me do a video, and he says he saved the most important spot for me. You know I’ve been okay with this from the beginning, but I wanted to say that you’re the best mom in the world and I know what you’ve gone through for me. I’m glad that you’re finally happy, and it’s cool to see you smile for a change. That’s why I want you to marry Dalton…so you’ll smile every day. And it doesn’t hurt that he let me drive down Sawyer’s driveway in his lap yesterday.”

  “You weren’t supposed to tell her that.” I whisper on screen from behind the camera.

  “Oops. I was totally safe, though, Mom. I love you.”

  The camera turns on me, and I’m smiling sheepishly. “And I love you, too. Please, marry me, Devyn.”

  Finally, the screen shows today’s date and the video ends just as Sawyer is handing me the tulip bouquet. I move around in front of Devyn, and I scan the room of smiling faces before I kneel before her, resting the fragrant flowers delicately in the crook of her outstretched arm.

  “I can’t believe you’ve been doing this all this time,” Devyn says through a watery grin. “I would’ve said ‘yes’ the first night. You’ve been making me crazy on purpose.”

  “Maybe a little.” I reach into my pants pocket and feel the platinum warmed from my body heat. Pinching it between two fingers, I slip it from my pocket and hold it in front of her. “But there’s nothing I won’t do to prove how much you and Simon mean to me. You have changed my life…changed me. I want to be your best friend, a husband, a father. I want to be everything you need me to be. And this is my promise to you that I’ll spend every day of my life making sure that I fulfill that for both of you. I’ve already asked you over 180 times, and I’m hoping that this is the last. Devyn, will you please be my wife?”