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“Oh, probably too many. But it’s Christmas time, so I don’t care. I’m treating myself.”
I took the package from her hands and passed it to the stall owner. Katie’s brows came together, but once I kneeled on the ground, her mouth dropped open.
My heart raced inside my chest. I was an actor, for fuck’s sake. This performance should be easy.
And yet, I’d always dreamed that my one—and only—marriage proposal would be to the woman I loved.
This is necessary. If it gets Wendy off your back, that’s all that matters.
Clearing my throat, I moved my hand in front of me. A little marzipan box made to look like a present sat on my palm. “We grew up together, Katie. And for so long, I didn’t notice you. I was a fool, of course, to waste all those years. But ever since reconnecting with you this year, and spending so much time with you, and falling in love with you, I knew I’d found my person—the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.” I lifted the lid of the present to reveal the ring inside. “Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
For a second, Katie merely gaped at the ring inside the box. I offered it up toward her, and she snapped back to the present. “Yes, Nolan. Of course I’ll marry you.”
I removed the ring, set the box aside, and slid it onto the fourth finger of her hand. The dark blue sapphire twinkled under the Christmas lights.
I stared at the ring on her finger, and a sense of rightness and possession and something I couldn’t name rushed through me.
Katie tugged at my shirt. I pushed the feelings aside and stood. I didn’t waste time hauling her close and kissing her.
Without thinking, I pushed my tongue into her mouth and groaned. I licked and stroked and reveled in her taste and heat. My hands gripped her hips, and I wanted to move them to her ass, to rock her against my already hard cock, and finally hear her sweet cries or moans or whatever sound she made when she came.
Fuck, I burned to feel her warm, soft, naked skin against mine.
Cheers rose up around us, and Katie broke the kiss. After giving me a shy smile, she held up her hand and shouted, “I’m engaged!”
People took pictures and a familiar face came up to us—the blonde-haired, blue-eyed form of Amber King. “Oh my gosh, Katie! I didn’t know things were this serious!”
Katie smiled at her friend. “A girl has to have some secrets.”
Amber shook her head and then hugged Katie. “I’m so happy for you, Katie. So happy. First, Emmy getting engaged right after Thanksgiving and now you! Something must be in the air.”
Her voice sounded wistful, but I didn’t know Amber well enough to ask her about it.
Katie gave her friend a one-armed hug. “Your day will come, Amber. After all, you were the one with all those Barbie weddings when we were kids, pretending it was your own.”
Amber’s smile looked forced. “Maybe. But enough about me. Can I share the news with Emmy and Abby? Or do you want to share it first yourselves?”
Katie looked at me, and I said, “Since it’s still pretty early, I thought we’d visit our families tonight and tell them in person.”
Katie shook her head. “Prepare yourself. Mom probably won’t let you out of her sight for days.”
Amber laughed. “Your mom can be rather enthusiastic.”
“That’s a nice way to put it,” Katie drawled. “Let’s visit your family first. That way, if it’s late, it’ll limit my mom’s gushing and planning.”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
Amber sighed. “And he calls you baby.”
I raised an eyebrow in question, and Katie explained, “She’s always wanted a guy who has a cute pet name for her. When it comes down to it, Amber’s a hopeless romantic.”
Amber’s pale cheeks burned bright pink. “No more than anyone else. But I have to get back to my family’s stall.” She hugged Katie again. “Congrats Katie! I can’t wait to hear more about it.”
With that, Amber waved and hurried down the aisle.
Even though the show should be over, I took the hand wearing my ring and kissed the back of it. “I hope you like it.”
“Of course. I love sapphires, but how did you know?”
