Running Home to You (The Running Series) by Suzanne Sweeney Page B

the night.  We don't have to drive home until tomorrow.  Auggie's already picked up Maddy and brought her back to his place.  Let's look around a little more," Evan counters.  He can be so devious.  I think he really enjoys making me suffer.
    I try to walk to the necklace counter, but Evan's got a grip on me and won't let me go.  He points to a few rings on display and asks me what I think.  I can feel my blood pressure increasing and heat rising in my cheeks.
    "What's wrong, Juliette?  You look uncomfortable.  Don't tell me you've never pictured us getting married someday.  I've thought about it.  Haven't you?" he asks.  He looks at me with his head cocked to one side, waiting for my response.  He has a deadly serious look on his face.  The longer it takes me to answer, the more worried he becomes.  This isn't just a big joke to him at all.
    Evan McGuire has just used the “M” word, “ married ”.  He didn’t propose.  He didn’t ask me to marry him.  But he’s talking about it.  I don’t dare tell him right now about my dreams, my hopes, my deepest desires.  The truth is, I can’t picture my life without him.  I can’t even picture a day without him.  I’m dreading the days when football season starts and he’s travelling with the team, leaving me alone in our bed, longing for his warm body to keep me safe and satisfied.  Yes, I would love to marry this man.  But I think we both have a few things to cross off our “to do” list before we begin journeying down that path.
    "Sweetheart, nothing, I mean, nothing, would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you.  But right now, we need to concentrate on getting our restaurant opened and getting a football in your hands again."  Not caring who is watching and listening, I kiss him with all the love and devotion I have for this man.  "Come on, baby.  Let's go."
    We leave Tiffany's with a gift bag in hand and as we do, Caesar's Water Show begins.  The air is filled with the sultry sounds of jazz as a water fountain filled with lights begins to spray its jets choreographed beautifully to match the highs and lows of the music.  It's breathtaking.  Evan and I stop briefly to enjoy the show.
    After a brief stop at the concierge desk, Evan and I find our way up to a suite.  We walk into a sitting room with a large leather sofa and a flat screen TV.  Across the room, I spot a small table setting for two situated in front of a large window that overlooks the ocean.  Sitting atop the table is a beautiful vase filled with deep purple orchids and a card.
    Evan is grinning like a schoolboy.  Clearly, he had a hand in this.  “Did you do this?” I ask him.  I am so thankful that his sister is a florist.  He’s learned so much about the art of romance from her.  Every girl should be so lucky.
    He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close.  “I did.  Do you like them?” he asks.
    “They’re beautiful, Evan.  You’ve never given me orchids before.  They’re so beautiful and delicate.  I can’t help but wonder what the significance is.  Why orchids?”  I hope he doesn’t think of me as delicate and demure.  I prefer to think of myself as strong and independent.
    I slip from his embrace and open the card.  It contains a simple poem, “A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.”  I hold the card to my chest and close my eyes, wondering how in the world I got so lucky. 
    Evan sneaks up behind me, wraps his hands around my waist, and whispers in my ear, “According to Callie, the orchid represents love, luxury, beauty, and strength.  Every single one of those words describes you perfectly.”  I turn around to kiss him, and when his lips touch mine, I hungrily open up for him.  Our tongues tease and caress, expressing emotions so deep that mere words would be inadequate to describe.
    Just as we begin to lose ourselves in one another, Evan’s phone goes off with a