Engaged in Embellishments: Tulle and Tulips, Book 5.5 Read Online Free PDF Page B

been proven right, but could never have guessed they would end up where they were now.
    “I’m sorry about last night, Lori.”
    “I know.” Breathing slowly, she rested her head against his shoulder and moved in time with his body. He really did know her and could determine her moods, whether he was in town or not. “Me too.”
    Resting his chin against her head, guiding her around the floor, he whispered, “You were great when I showed up here last night. What would it take to make you great again?”
    “I can only think of one thing.”
    “Name it.”
    “I’ve been watching Darci and her parents today.” She slipped her hand beneath the edge of his jacket, feeling his heart beat against her palm. “They’ve made me realize something I’ve missed out on.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Parents who love me and want only to see me happy.”
    “My parents love you.”
    “But they’re not mine.” She closed her eyes and curled her fingers over his heart.
    Accepting that he loved her enough to never leave her or betray her hadn’t been easy or quick. As close as she’d come to accepting it previously, she’d always allowed fear to hold her back.
    When he hadn’t asked for her hand, she’d forced herself to face what life might be like without him. Her previous life had taught her no one could be trusted, that she could be betrayed at any moment. Trevor had been the first person to really matter and the idea of him being like everyone she’d met during her Whitestone years had scared her shitless. For that reason, and no better one, she’d strung him along to test his loyalty.
    He’d thought he needed to apologize for missing a day of asking. She owed him an apology too, but rather than voicing it, she’d show him. He’d taught her that trust wasn’t something she had to place in others. It was something she had to have in herself, because when she allowed herself to trust in her own judgment she’d seen the starkest truth.
    She was surrounded by friends who would never have a reason to betray her and a man who had stood beside her when he’d had every reason not to.
    “You could give me parents if you married me.”
    Trevor missed a step and kicked her toe. He never missed a step on the dance floor. It buoyed her confidence that she was making the right move. The song talked about the future being more powerful than the past and a moment in time being the beginning rather than the end.
    “You didn’t ask yesterday, and I haven’t given you the chance today.” Lori eased away a little, still moving with him, and looked into his gaze. She knew he knew what she was up to, and she knew he was going to let her finish. “I’m tired of living in the memory of loss, and I’m tired of letting my mind get in my way. You gave me a new beginning when you helped me start Tulle and Tulips.
    “I almost died several times, but I’m alive because you gave me a reason to fight to survive. Because of you I have friends I’d never have dreamed of meeting. I have a career and life that I look forward to facing every day. I’d like to propose a new joint venture though.”
    “Lori.” His voice was a gruff whisper and a tear leaked out of the inside corner of his left eye.
    She hadn’t planned a speech, and seeing him start to cry made her doubt she’d get everything she wanted to say out. “Trevor, will you share your parents and your life with me? Will you build a new beginning with me? As my husband?”
    “Yes.” Another tear tracked down his cheek. Hers joined them as he moved in and kissed her. “Hell yes, I’ll be your husband.”
    His kiss swept her into a flurry of arousal and excitement for the future as the song came to a close, repeating the lyric about this moment not being the end but a beginning. As usual, Aleshia had known what song was needed for just the right moment. And through music she’d given Lori the final nudge she needed to get out of her head and listen to her heart.
    When