Temptation Trails - Page 178

Finally, he pulled back. Owen stood next to us, now holding a pizza box from Home Slice.

“Open it,” he said.

I lifted the lid and the tantalizing scent of pepperoni pizza almost made my eyes roll back. “That smells so good. I’ve been dreaming about pizza all day.”

“But look,” Owen said.

I looked into the box and the words Marry Me were spelled out in pepperoni.

“Oh my gosh, you have a proposal pizza too?”

“Owen insisted,” Garrett said with a shrug. “Although most of this was his idea.”

“Dad was just going to take you out to dinner.” He rolled his eyes. “Boring.”

“This was amazing. Thank you.”

To my surprise, that wasn’t the only thing Owen had suggested. There wasn’t just one pizza, there were enough pizzas to feed half the town. The patrol cars blocked off the street and people began milling around as someone set up folding tables to serve all the food. Paper plates and coolers of drinks appeared, as if by magic. And someone had even brought peanut butter cookies from Nature’s Basket Grocery to treat the squirrels.

In minutes, we were at the center of an impromptu engagement party.

I had Beth bring out treats, emptying the pastry case. It felt kind of amazing. The bakery was doing so well, I didn’t have to worry about what losing one afternoon of business would cost. I could just give and celebrate with my friends and neighbors.

And the pizza was so satisfying. Nothing had ever tasted so good as indulging my pregnancy craving.

I got hugs from everyone I knew in town, and a lot of people I didn’t. Matt and Mila were there, holding hands, looking like the strangest couple I’d ever seen—the awkward guy and the goth girl. Marigold teared up when she hugged me, as did Audrey. Annika and her family were there, Paul and Marlene seemed to appear out of nowhere, and there were so many Haven brothers, I pretty much lost track.

Owen came over with a plate of pizza and held it out to me. “Did you get enough?”

I put a hand on my stomach. “I’m so stuffed, I don’t think I have room for both pizza and a baby.”

He smiled. “Just wanted to make sure.”

“You are such an amazing kid. You know that, right?”

“Cool, but don’t make it weird.”

“Oh, I’m gonna make it weird.” I stepped in for a hug and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me with one arm, the other still holding the paper plate.

Just before I let go, he spoke quietly. “I’m glad you said yes.”

“I’m glad you wanted me to.”

He stepped back. “You make really good cookies, so…”

I laughed. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Garrett slipped an arm around my waist and drew me against him. “Did you get enough pizza?”

Owen held up the plate. “Already asked.”

Turning toward him, I looked up into his eyes. The way he smiled at me, like he’d never been happier, made my heart so warm and squishy, I thought I might melt right there.

“Hi, love,” he said, his voice low.

“Hi.”

“Happy engagement day.”