Page 130 of River & Rue

Rue’s eyes gleam knowingly as she watches me fumble. I let her enjoy the victory a few more seconds, then level the field.

“That depends. Where will you be?”

“I, uh… San Diego.”

Smiling, I scan her pink cheeks and wide eyes. “You’re so fucking gorgeous. I could stare at you all day.”

Pink deepens to crimson.

“I want to be wherever you are, Rue. So unless you tell me to kick rocks, I guess that means I’ll be in San Diego.”

She blinks fast. “Oh.”

“What are you doing next month?”

“Why?”

“Ever been to Denmark?”

The alarm in her eyes broadens my smile, which in turn makes her frown. So cute. Just as cute is the stern-teacher voice that follows.

“River. Why are you asking me that?”

I put my coffee down and reach for her hand. Keeping my eyes on hers, I kiss each of her knuckles, the inside of her wrist, and finally her palm.

“I was blindsided by Maya’s questions last night, and I’m sorry if it sounded like I was leaving you. I want you to come with me. Copenhagen, Paris, London. I was already planning to ask.”

Her breaths are quick and shallow, her eyes frantic as they search mine. But I’m not worried. She’s fast-moving clouds; no rain in the forecast.

“What about my job?”

I trail more kisses over her fingers. “One, you work remote. Two, LSD-Rue told me you hate it and want to quit. She also mentioned you’ve always wanted to travel.”

I kiss her palm one more time, then return her hand to her thigh.

“Think about it, okay? I don’t need an answer right now. Just making sure you understand my intentions.”

“Your intentions? Is this a period drama?”

I take a sip of my cooling coffee. “Do you want it to be? There are plenty of moors in England. I’ll walk over one at sunrise wearing a long coat, then tell you what days of the week I’ll use each of your nicknames.”

The expression on her face is so priceless, I add another line to the list of things I need to thank my parents for. The 2005 Pride & Prejudice is Mom’s all-time favorite movie, and Dad made us watch it with her every Mother’s Day growing up.

Rue finally recovers.

“I don’t know whether to tear off your pants or strangle you.”

I smirk. “What if you did both at the same time?”

Her lips dance as she fights a smile.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Whatever, you love me.”

Pretending I didn’t just toss a grenade in her lap, I jump to my feet and do some unnecessary back stretches. When she’s had enough time to return from Freak Out Island, I face her with a smile.

“Do you feel up for a walk? There’s something I want to show you.”