My Darling Jane (The Darlings)

When the doorbell rings at 11:30 in the morning, I’m not expecting it.

I was hoping I would be able to catch a few hours of sleep before dealing with clients this morning. My list has grown, especially since my dating service is now publicly endorsed by a superstar quarterback. The media knows we’re together. Freida’s video didn’t quite have the effect she wanted, though. It was more of a football-player-falls-for-his-matchmaker story and went viral.

I roll out of bed and pat my stomach and trudge to the door. Thankfully, at five months, the morning sickness has vanished, and I feel much better. Just tired. It was a crazy weekend at a football game, but fun. Rayna, Macy, and Lacy, along with Jasper’s parents, met me there, and we sat in our box seats and cheered our team on to . . . well, not victory.

The Pythons lost, 13–27.

It doesn’t matter, though.

Because if you looked on the field, at the smile on the face of the man who led his team, you’d have thought he won. The man can’t seem to keep the grin off his face.

In fact, that’s what Jasper tells me, before every game. “Doesn’t matter what happens. I’ve already won.”

That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to yell for them, hoping they’d pull out a win. It was a good game. I’ve never been so happy to be on a losing team.

But my content heart skips a beat when I peep through the hole and find him standing on my front stoop, dressed in the suit he wore to the game. The team must have come back this morning.

He looks like he’s been up for hours, which means he barely slept.

I’m still dressed in my sweats. As I zip my hoodie over my tight camisole and pull open the door, scratching my head, he smiles, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me.

“What are you doing?” I ask. “I thought you’d go home and rest.”

“I have something to say.” He seems nervous, like he’s had one too many coffees this morning.

“I haven’t even had a chance to take a shower.”

He leans in for a kiss, which is the quickest one ever since I haven’t brushed my teeth.

He’s nervous, fidgeting from foot to foot. The man with all the moves on the field looks like he has no idea what to do. It’s cute.

“Is everything okay?” I ask. Gone are the days when I’d worry he’d bolt. He’s a constant, never once showing signs of retreating or hesitating. He’s there to pick up Londyn from preschool when I can’t. He’s at every doctor’s appointment. He’s here with us almost every night in my small apartment.

“I thought today was for resting. Londyn’s set on watching Mulan with you tonight.” She’s over at Emmy’s right now for the weekend since I went out of town.

“Good pick. But, sorry, couldn’t wait,” he says.

He’s buzzing with energy, which is odd because he should be dead on his feet. Then he goes and—pulls out a ring box. “Got something for you.”

My brain short-circuits. It’s a diamond the size of a small planet.

A long exhale comes from him as he watches my face expectantly.

It’s stunning. I’m blinded by its sparkle. “This is . . . wow.”

“I talked to Londyn about it,” he says, words tumbling out in a rush. “She basically said get on with it already. Kid’s got opinions.”

“You actually asked her?” I can’t help the grin spreading across my face.

He throws me a look. “Was I supposed to do the whole one-knee thing?”

“You did that at the bar, so it counts.” I cross my arms and pretend to pout. “I was expecting maybe a skywriter, a marching band, and at least a couple of doves.”

He drops to one knee while I tell him not to, but he doesn’t get up. He looks up at me like he’s about to offer me the world. “Jane Darling, how ’bout it? Wanna make me the luckiest guy alive? For real.”

I lean against the door, half expecting my knees to give out. “Wearing that rock means I’m stuck with you, huh?”

“Glued, screwed, and tattooed. You’re mine,” he says, a softness in his voice.

“Guess that makes me your problem now,” I manage to say, slipping my hand forward.

He slides it on, and it fits like it’s been mine all along. “Just try getting rid of me now,” he warns as he pulls me close. The world narrows down to the two of us as he kisses me.

“Let’s not keep the future waiting,” he says, ushering me inside with a hand at my back. “After all, we’ve got forever to get started on. And Londyn isn’t here, which means . . .”

I tug him down the hall. “We’ve got a bed!”