“I have got that.” Austin surged forward, reaching for his wallet.
“Please, Aus. Don’t fight me on this.” Justin’s face grew severe. “You might be able to kick the utter crap out of me, but I’d still find a way to end up paying for this meal.”
Hands up in surrender, Austin tipped his chin. “Why?”
“The last period was a shit show. Not just Laws. There were so many things we got away with on the ice. It wasn’t an honorable win, I guess? I dunno. It could easily have gone the other way. I just feel like the Snow Pirates played so well… they shouldn’t have to pay for dinner as well as the game.”
“You sure you can cover it?”
Justin’s eyes lit up. “Royalties have been good. Ran a few sales to combat the summer slump, and it seems to have worked.”
“I am still waiting on my signed copy of your last novel.”
Justin nodded. “It’s in the car. I forgot to give it to you at the rink earlier. I really couldn’t have nailed it the way I did without your insight into the scene, man. Thank you. It’s been my most successful book to date, who knew kink was backin?”
Austin chuckled. “Kink has always beenin. We just never bragged about it.”
“Well your insight helped give me my best release yet. So much so, I’m thinking of writing a spin off.”
“Happy to help in any way I can.”
Claudia handed Justin’s receipt and card back to him, a weird look flickering across her face. “It was my favorite so far too, Justin.” She started, as though remembering something, and hooked a thumb over her shoulder, her face darkening. “I’d better go make sure both your teams haven’t spilled blood on the floor. It’s a bitch to get out of the grout around the tiles.”
Justin huffed out a laugh. “I need to leave that woman a good tip.” He shook his head. “The shit she deals with in here… You coming?” He jerked his chin in the direction of their table.
Austin hesitated. “Yes… I…”
“Aus? What is it?”
“I need help.”
The Raccoon’s captain tilted his head to the side. “With what?”
Austin slid the small, velvet box out of his pocket and stroked the lid with his thumb.
“Man, I’m honored, truly. But you’re just not my type. And that peen hardware…?” He hissed through his teeth. “Ouch. No thank you.” Justin’s levity released some of the knots in Austin’s shoulders and stomach.
“I have been carrying this around for weeks. But I cannot find the perfect moment. You write this stuff for a living. Give me some ideas?”
Justin looped an arm around Austin’s shoulders, which, considering the man was a good few inches shorter, was pretty amusing. “Austin, Austin, Austin.” He shook his head. “I’m here to tell you one little known fact. Are you ready?”
Austin remained quiet.
“There is no perfect moment to ask a woman to marry you, man. The moment you ask herbecomesthe perfect moment. Stop getting splinters in your ass from sitting on that fence. Stop over thinking it. Stop carrying around the ring trying to find the right time. If she’s the one? Stop waiting. Start acting.”
He slapped Austin on the back. “It’s adorable seeing you all bent out of shape, Aus. I mean… really. I thought you were unflappable. But don’t make me kick you in the ass over this. It doesn’t have to be complicated. The woman can’t marry you if you don’t fucking ask.”
“Your books are more eloquent than this, correct?”
He shoved Austin’s shoulder. “Stop deflecting, asshole. Just give her the damn ring.”
Just give her the damn ring. He made it sound so easy.
A firm nod from Justin was the last they exchanged on the matter as Justin strode back to the table, plopping onto the seat next to Lincoln. Mackenzie had swiveled in her chair so she faced Molly.
He dropped to one knee next to her seat, earning a thumbs up from Justin who had his phone out and pointed at Austin and a gasp from someone he couldn’t see.
Sucking in a long and slow breath, he settled himself before clearing his throat. “Sprinkles?”
