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“Yeah, the women in Magnolia Falls love a broody, damaged firefighter,” Nash said.
Hayes chucked his napkin at him. “Hey, I’ll own the broody firefighter, but I take offense to the damaged part.”
Now we were all laughing.
Demi shook her head and pushed to her feet. “I’m going to go get the cookies and bring them out. Cutler is ready for something sweet.”
“So am I,” Romeo teased, and she waggled her brows.
When she’d walked far enough away, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, as he looked at each of us. “I was going to wait to tell you guys this week when we met at the gym, but since we’re here shooting the shit, I may as well tell you now.”
“Is something up?” I asked.
“I’m going to propose to Demi soon. We’re working on this house together, and we spend every damn day together, and I don’t know. It feels right.”
“She’s all the flavors, brother,” Kingston said, pushing to his feet and pulling Romeo in for a hug.
“I’d lock that shit down, too.” Nash stood and gave him a bro hug, and we all stood and did the same.
“Happy for you, Romeo. She’s one of the good ones.” Hayes clapped him on the shoulder.
I studied him for a long minute. I’d known Romeo since we were just kids. He’d always been the toughest guy I knew, but he had a heart of gold and would walk through fire for the people he loved. I’d seen something there right away with them, and I couldn’t be happier for him. He and I had been through a lot of shit, and we’d come out the other side still standing.
“I knew there was a tender heart beneath all that tough-guy shit.” I pulled him in for a hug. “You deserve this, brother.”
“Thanks. I may need you guys to come with me to pick out a ring. Demi’s got nice taste, and I don’t know shit about diamonds.”
“Beans deserves the biggest one out there,” Kingston said.
“Nah, she doesn’t give a shit about the size of the diamond; she only cares about the man behind it,” Hayes said, and we all turned and gaped at him.
“Dude. That was deep. Where the fuck did that come from?” Nash said over his laughter.
“Just saying. I went all in on Kate’s ring, and she went and fucked my coworker. It’s not about the diamond; it’s about the girl you’re giving it to.” Hayes raised a brow.
“You got that ring back, right?” Romeo asked.
Hayes glanced over at me, and the corners of his lips turned up. “Yeah. River managed to get it back for me.”
“I paid a visit to good ole Kate while she was crying on Lenny’s shoulder about getting caught in bed with him, and I may have used some intimidation to get the job done. But let’sjust say, she handed over that ring real fast, and Lenny looked like he was going to piss himself when I showed up.”
“That’s right. I remember now,” Kingston said. “We were all trying to keep Hayes from losing his shit on Lenny that I forgot you went and got that ring back.”
“Where’s the ring now?” Nash asked.
“It’s just been collecting dust for the last few years. I just want it gone. If any of you want it, it’s yours.”
We all turned to Romeo, who held his hands up. “Fuck that. I’m not giving Demi a cursed ring. You need to sell it and get your money back.”
“So, I guess we’re all going ring shopping,” Kingston said as he looked at each of us with a big grin on his face.
“Those are words I never thought I’d hear for us,” I said.
“Lincoln thinks we should road-trip to Cottonwood Cove so no one can tip her off here in town.” Romeo’s brother turned out to be a great guy.
“Who are we shopping for a ring for?” Ruby popped her head in between Romeo and Kingston.
“Shit. This is why I can’t tell you guys anything,” Romeo groaned.
