Green Eyed Daydream #Wattys2016

Chapter 59

Tyler's POV

I am parked outside of Valent, waiting for Carrie to get off work. My fingers keep drumming nervously on the steering wheel, and my knee is bouncing uncontrollably. Damn it, I need to get a grip. I reach inside my jacket pocket and take out the red box and press the little knob to open the top. What if she doesn't like it? I snap the box shut, and place it back into my pocket.

Will she be totally disappointed that it's not an engagement ring?

I look up when I hear her knock on the car window. I unlock the door, and Carrie gets inside, smiling at me.

"Hey, babe, I missed you," I tell her, leaning in for a kiss.

She presses her sweet lips to mine, and I feel myself calm. Steady, Tyler...don't overthink it.

We head over to Slate for dinner, where Tiffany has prepared a special four course dinner for us.

"Guess what?" Carrie says, as she twirls some linguini around her fork. "Martin is sending my team to Boston to court a major client prospect, and I am the lead!"

"That's great. He must have a lot of confidence in you. Think you'll be able to close the deal?"

"I hope so. I've already begun working on the pitch, and Lucas came up with the best creative for the--"

"Lucas is going?" I interrupt her.

"Yes, he's on my team," she confirms.

I avoid looking at her, and cut into my steak like I'm trying to kill it all over again. Must reign in my paranoia and not let it lead me down the same treacherous old road. I mean, yes, he was her date at the wedding, but that was just for show...right? No way did anything happen. I never did ask her about it....partially because I was afraid she'd tell me they actually hooked up. But now I just have to let it go. I won't let my sick head sabotage my own happiness.

"I hope you guys do well," I tell her, and try to concentrate on chewing my food, instead of images of her and the guy making out.

"Hey," she says, and reaches for my hand. "Tyler...just so you know. Nothing ever happened between Lucas and me. We're just work friends. The wedding was a one time thing, and it was purely platonic."

"So...you never kissed him?" I ask pathetically.

She squeezes my hand with her slender fingers. "No. I haven't kissed him...or anyone else. Nor do I want to. Ever. You are the only man I want to kiss...but I also really hope I won't have to keep reassuring you of that. I mean, after everything we've been through, I hope you truly do trust me. "

I meet her eyes and see so much sincerity there, and suddenly I feel all my fears and insecurities fade away. I cannot live my life filled with constant doubt...because that's not living at all. From now on, I am letting go of all those demons.

"Carrie, I do trust you. Completely. In fact, I trust you so much, that I want to ask you to do something..."

She's looking at me with wide eyes, filled with expectation.

"Move in with me," I say to her, and bring her fingers to my lips, kissing her knuckles.

"What?" she looks a little taken aback.

"Let's live together...in my place. I mean, you're spending the night basically every other day, and this way we'll get to spend even more time together."

Carrie's smiling, so I take that as a good sign.

"I've never asked any woman to move in with me before...and I've thought about this...a lot. And there are no drawbacks. My place is bigger than your little bird's nest. You'll have your own walk-in closet. You won't have to wake up at the crack of dawn and take the bus to go to work. I'll drive you and pick you up."

"Tyler, this is all very unexpected...um..." she stammers, and looks away, seeming unsure. "I mean, this is a pretty big step."

"Baby, come on...please...let's play house together. It'll be fun, I promise," I tell her and give her a wink.

"Can I think about it?" she asks.

"Okay. Think about it. But I really hope you say 'yes'."

After dinner, we share a tiramisu, and Carrie and I get into a spoon fight over the last bite on the plate. I let her win.

"That was satisfying on so many levels," she says, with a gratified smile.

The waiter comes over and clears our plates, leaving a single votive candle on the white tablecloth.

"Close your eyes," I tell her.

Carrie squints at me suspiciously, but follows my instruction.

I take the red box out from my jacket pocket and place it on the table in front of her.

When she opens her eyes, and sees the box she looks sort of perplexed.

"It's a belated Valentine's Day present," I explain.

She opens the box, and I see her eyes light up.

"It's called a Love Bracelet," I tell her.

She gently takes out the gold bangle, and tries to put it on. "Tyler, it's beautiful. I really do love it, but I think it's too small..."

"That's because you have to use this," I tell her, and show her the little screwdriver that comes with it. "You have to open it, and then fasten it by screwing it back together on your wrist. See like this," I show her, locking the bracelet in place.

"I guess I am not supposed to take it off."

"That's right. See, after I lock it on your wrist, you have the bracelet to remind you of me, and I will keep the key on a chain around my neck as a symbol of our commitment."

Carrie looks at her wrist, and smiles. "It's so elegant. Thank you."

"I'm glad you like it. Actually, this isn't just some random piece of jewelry to me. My dad had given a Love Bracelet just like this one to my mom when they were dating. It's always been a symbol of true love for me since I was a kid. You are the only woman I've ever wanted to give one to. Seeing you wear it now means a lot to me."

Carrie comes around the table and sits on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I hope to keep it on forever," she tells me, and leans down to place a soft kiss on my lips.