Two months later
Landon stopped one of the cater waiters carrying food pans and surveyed the contents. “Are those fritters?”
He nodded. “With pimento cheese and a pepper jelly drizzle.”
“Be still my heart.”
Carly grabbed her from behind. “Do not give your heart away to a bunch of fritters.”
Landon turned in Carly’s arms and smiled. “Not to worry. My heart’s all yours.”
“I think we might have too much food. Have you seen how many pans are already in the kitchen and Ian keeps sending more.”
“The proper response is ‘my heart’s all yours too.’” Landon gave Carly a light, quick kiss, hoping to distract her from obsessing over the party preparations.
“It is. I promise. I’m just worried. What if no one comes?”
Ah, so that was it. Landon reached into her pocket and pulled out a ragged slip of paper. She’d been carrying it with her since the morning Trevor Kincade’s case had been dismissed. She set it on the nearest table and smoothed it out. “This,” she pointed at the words Pachett and Holt, Attorneys at Law, “is going to be the very best law firm in Dallas. With the winning combination of Pachett’s supersonic brain and Holt’s ability to charm retainers out of even the stingiest of clients, they are destined for greatness.” She reached for Carly’s hand. “And it all starts tonight. With lots of food.”
“Don’t forget the drinks.” Ian appeared next to them holding a fancy glass beverage dispenser filled with a light blue concoction. “A special recipe just for you. I’m calling this the Not Guilty.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Landon said.
“So will I.” Carly squeezed Landon’s hand and watched Ian walk back to the kitchen. They’d all worked hard to bring the grand opening of their law firm to fruition. “I’m going to take a page from your book and envision a wildly successful night.”
“Make that a wildly successful lifetime and you’re on.” Landon reached into her pocket and pulled out a small red leather box. “I was going to wait until Valentine’s Day, but I’m not very good at waiting when I know exactly what I want, and I want you to be my partner in everything life has to offer for the rest of our lives. Carly Pachett, will you marry me?”
She held her breath while she waited for Carly’s response, but she didn’t have to wait long.
“There is absolutely nothing I’d rather do more. Yes. A thousand times yes!”