“Just thinking about tomorrow,” I admit for the first time. I’ve made my choice, and I’m really working on this team thing. If Mark is my partner in this life, then he should have a say, right?

“Is this a test? I really don’t feel like dealing with whatever punishment you have for failing.”

I ignore his jab. I need to hone that skill since I’m seeing my mother. “I’m going to leave the agency—permanently.”

“Because?”

Mark keeps his gaze on the road, which hinders me from reading his expressions. I should’ve waited until I could watch him.

“You’re my home, Mark.” God, I feel like a dork. We’ve both been a little mushy, and it needs to stop. “Which can be burnt down.”

He chuckles. “I love how you can’t ever let one sweet moment pass. Your inner bitch just has to follow.”

“Whatever.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m all mixed up from being pregnant. I don’t like this crying shit. Then there’s the fact my boobs hurt.”

“I like the new boobs.”

“You’re never touching them.”

“Oh, I think you want me to play with those funbags.”

“Did you seriously call them funbags?” I ask. I’m slightly pissed, slightly turned on. I’m a host of contradictions.

“We’re here.”

“Yay!” I say with mock enthusiasm. We pull up to my mother’s and she’s waiting on the porch. Never a good sign. “Let’s go before she lays into me for something.”

Mark comes around the car and helps me out. He’s been very sweet lately. Maybe he does deserve a little loving. Maybe.

“Hi, Mother.”

“Charisma,” she says with her arms open.

Ummm. I glance at Mark, and he shrugs. “Are you feeling okay?” I ask. I usually get some kind of disapproving comment and she’s never been a hugger. Public displays of affection are for married people, as she would say.

“There you are!” Dominic appears and saves me again.

“See, that’s how you do it,” I say to Mark. If he’s going to stick around, he needs to know how long I can handle Priscilla before I need to be saved. Being the only daughter usually costs me greatly.

“Do what?” she asks while she heads toward Mark.

“Nothing.”

“You need a haircut,” she says to Mark before she reaches him. “Long hair on men is not attractive.”

I laugh as Dominic pulls me into his arms. “Did you tell her yet?”

“Tonight,” I say. I couldn’t wait to tell him he would be an uncle soon. Plus, he won’t judge that I’m not married or engaged. We then made a wager on how long it would take until Mom loses her bird. I’ve got six minutes, Dominic has three.

After a few minutes of Mom fussing over Mark, we head in for dinner. I swear that she likes him more than me. We talk a little about some of Dad’s things and what she wants to do. She also takes this opportunity to inform us of another gala she’s throwing.

“Charisma,” she says in the tone that tells me this will be interesting.

“Yes?”

“I’m proud of you.”

I choke on my food. Mark presses his hand against my back with a laugh. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Don’t act so surprised.” She sounds offended. “I’m proud of you. Your father would be proud of you.”

Dominic laughs without shame. “This is going be the best dinner in history.”

Mom glares at my brother. “Why would you say something like that?”

“You both are ridiculous. When have you ever told her something like that?” Dominic is in rare form. He never talks like this.

“I’m proud of my children.” Mother puts the fork down and crosses her arms. “You both have made very good decisions.”

Dominic snorts. “Oh, now you have to tell her.” My brother backs the bus up right over me.

He’s going to pay for this. Maybe she would like to know he and Kristy Tubb started screwing after the last gala she threw. I grit my teeth and contemplate my knife throwing skills. Mark grips my right hand, which counts that out.

“Tell me what?”

Mark clears his throat and stands, “I wanted to do this another way, but since Dominic is getting impatient, now works.”

My mother smiles and Dominic grips her hand. Then it dawns on me. Sure enough, when I turn my head, Mark is kneeling at my side.

“Charisma Marcia Erickson, before you say anything, let me finish.” He pauses as I bite my lip. “I loved you the day I first laid eyes on you. I saw you and knew. Somehow, someway, I would make you love me. And since I’m pretty fantastic, you did.” I laugh as he winks. “But I never knew how much I would love you. I never knew that you would become the only person in the world who matters. We’re the same in so many ways. Jobs were all we had, our careers were what counted, but you . . . you beautiful, insane, frustrating woman have shown me it doesn’t mean anything without you.” Mark pulls a black box from his pocket and places it on my knee. “So, I’m asking you, for real this time, to open the box. If you do, then you don’t have to say anything. If you open it, you’re opening your heart to me. You’re going to marry me, and I’m going to make it my mission to make you happy. If you take it, I’ll honor you, love you, and support you until my last breath.”

Mark gazes at me with so much love and trust it makes my heart swell. His finger lifts, and he swipes the tear I didn’t know had formed. I do as he asks. I don’t say a word.

I take the black box.

And for the first time, I don’t want to wait.

I want my man.

I lift the lid as two sighs come from the other side of the table.

Mark doesn’t make a sound. He just winks as if he had no fears.

Such an arrogant ass.

My arrogant ass.

Our lips touch, and I hear my mother’s shoes against the floor. “Charlie!” she exclaims. “I’m so happy someone is finally going to make an honest woman out of you.”

“Oh, boy.” Dominic laughs.

What the hell is with him?

“Thanks, Mom . . . I think.”

“Mark, come here.” She embraces him. “Thank you for having the patience of a saint.”

She is out of her freaking mind. Does she not realize the crap I deal with? “I wouldn’t go that far. He’s not exactly a walk in the park.”

“Oh, hush. I lived with you for twenty years. You’re no angel either.” She heads back to her seat and Dominic lifts his chin with a smirk. “What the heck are you two giving each other looks for?” she snaps.

Here goes nothing.

“Mom . . .” I release a heavy breath. “There’s more.”

Her eyes narrow and I know I’m in for it. She’s going to blow her top. On one hand, I’ve always taken joy in giving her a headache, but on the other, this might put her over the edge. “Out with it, Charisma.”

“We’re having a baby.”

She doesn’t say anything. Instead, her gaze shifts from me to Mark then back at me again. Her face is stoic, but I can see the wheels turning behind her eyes. “You’re pregnant?”