His Jaguar Tattoo

Round Two

"You didn't have to bring me here," Zuri remarked as her eyes roved the romantic little courtyard. "I'm sure this was really expensive."

"Don't worry about how I spend my money." Drew wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Besides, this is a special night for a special girl. I had to find a special place, or else it wouldn't be right."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

"Good. Now," he said, releasing his vise on her body, "come sit with me."

Zuri allowed him to drag her through the weeping willows and luscious flowerbeds bathed in moonlight. Candles lined the brick path to their table. Everything was so well done and so beautiful. She sat in the chair he pulled out for her and watched him take his seat while her eyes twinkled in merriment.

"Are you going to tell me what the occasion is?" she asked.

"Ah, not yet." Drew looked away into the trees for a moment before returning to her. "Let's enjoy this moment first."

Maybe he's got bad news, Zuri pondered. Why go through all of this just to share bad news? That can't be it.

"How are your classes going?" he inquired, taking a sip on the glass of ice water in front of him.

"Fine, I guess." Her fingers traced an invisible pattern on the tablecloth. "We get next week off for Thanksgiving."

"Oh. Thanksgiving is next week, isn't it?" He chuckled. "I tend to forget about the holidays."

"You know...Grandma said she wouldn't mind if you joined us. For Thanksgiving dinner, I mean," she whispered, shyly meeting his gaze. "I think you're growing on her."

A sidelopsed smile curled the right half of his lips as he replied, "I would be honored to join you and your grandmother for Thanksgiving."

"Really? What about your mother? Won't she want you over for Thanksgiving, too?"

"Probably. Gabrielle can take this holiday. We'll go for Christmas."

"We as in you and me?"

Shrugging, he plastered a grin across his face. "Sure. Why not?"

"I..." She smiled. "I would love that. I like your mom a lot."

"Good. It would be hard to officially bring you into the family if you didn't."

"Yeah, no kid—" Zuri stopped herself. "Wait. Do you mean...?"

"Yes," he said as he moved off the chair and down onto one knee, sly as a fox. "I want you to be in my family. Officially. Unofficially. I want you every way I can have you. Zuri Welch, I know I've put you through the worst, and I honestly don't know how you can still love me. But if you really do, will you give me the eternal pleasure of being my wife?"

For a few seconds, all she could manage was to stare at him. Her mind was still trying to process everything. Drew wanted to marry her. Like, actually marry her the right way. Just when the moment between them became awkward, she finally mustered a smile. She extended her left hand towards him and threw her heart into the ring.

"Of course I will." Her eyes burned with unexpected tears. "How could I ever say no to you?"

Chuckling, he slipped the ring—the same one as before—onto the proper finger. "Well, you've denied me before. I was hoping we weren't going down that path again."

"Let's not," she agreed as she drew him onto his feet.

They stood together, staring into each other's eyes. Drew wiped her tears away and skimmed her mouth with his lips. She leaned in closer to him, perhaps unknowingly, and tilted her head back.

"Are you ready for round two, Miss Welch?" His words were a whisper against her parted lips.

"W-well." She struggled to swallow, trying to remember how to speak. "How about we find out?"

Drew chuckled. "I thought you'd never agree."