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Her brows rose. “About what?”
“Seeing you today, squeezed behind that mat, made me realize something,” I said.
Her eyebrows went upward.
“And that was…” she urged.
“Well, I don’t really want you to move in with me,” I mused.
Her mouth fell open.
And before she could start getting really bent out of shape, I continued talking.
“I want you to marry me. Then I want to buy a bigger house that we can plant some babies in,” I continued. “Maybe we can find one that is ours. Not yours or mine.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“And maybe we can find one with a bigger yard that can support all the dogs that you can’t help but bring home,” I continued. “Speaking of, Schultz said something about you pairing him with a dog. I think you should pair us with a dog. Give Lion a playmate.”
She started to cry.
“Don’t cry.” I reached forward and wiped away a few stray tears. “Is that a yes?”
She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “I think I’d really, really like that.”
• • •
When we arrived home, it was to find Flint, Camryn, my parents, Ezra and Raleigh, and their son in my house.
When we walked inside, the smell of lasagna filled my nose.
“Oh, God,” Carmichael breathed. “That smells so freakin’ good.”
“Good, you’re home,” Mom cooed. “It’s time to eat. I literally just took the garlic bread out of the oven.”
Carmichael groaned as she made her way to the kitchen.
“So, what’s the damage?” Raleigh asked as we moved into the room.
“Seven stitches,” I answered. “There was still a piece of glass that was imbedded in her neck. That was the white I saw before we covered it up.”
Raleigh gagged. “Gross.”
“Agreed.” Camryn looked green.
“So did y’all find anything else out?” I asked curiously as I held out a chair for Carmichael to take.
“Yes and no.” Flint grinned. “We got the two of them, Alfie and Karen, into the same interrogation room. And I accidentally let it drop that Carmichael was in the hospital thanks to what Karen had done. And Alfie all but flipped his lid.” He turned to look at his sister. “Seems like you have an admirer.”
“What happened?” she asked quietly.
“Alfie exposed all. Like, I’m talking, told everything,” he continued. “Apparently, Alfie works for Partners as a computer analyst. When he got a job at the school, Carmichael mentioned needing a computer. And they got to talking. Apparently, the next day, she came in with Croft’s computer. At some point, Partners discussed needing an advantage, and Alfie suggested using the computer that used to be Croft’s. They’d already planted Karen into their law firm to get intel that way, but they thought that this would be perfect, too.”
“Meaning that they’re being complete douchebags, breaking the law, all to get a leg up and let criminals go free,” I found myself saying.
“Essentially,” Flint agreed. “Karen wasn’t accomplishing much on her end, either. So they were pulling her out. That’s why she put in her notice.” He paused. “As for Alfie’s something extra, i.e. shooting you, that was all him. He didn’t like that you were taking his girl.”
“I’m not Alfie’s anything,” Carmichael snarled.
“Well, he thought you were.” Raleigh plated up some lasagna and handed it to her.
Carmichael started cutting into it almost the second it was placed in front of her.
I went and got my own food, coming back with four pieces of garlic bread before saying, “What else?”
“Partners will now be answering some really uncomfortable questions. Alfie will go to trial for attempted murder, and Karen will likely be disbarred.” Flint shrugged. “Along with being charged with assault, destruction of property, and whatever else that we can find to pin on her.”
“Aces,” Carmichael said between bites.
Camryn snorted. “Well, on that note, I guess this would be a great time to tell you that tomorrow I’m being induced to have this baby.”
Everyone squealed.
Flint looked downright flabbergasted.
“Well, since we’re sharing good news, I should probably announce that Ezra and I are going to have another baby.” Raleigh clapped.
Everyone cheered all over again.
Then all eyes turned to Carmichael and me. “Don’t look at us. We’re not having any babies just yet. We only got engaged today.”
Flint turned a dirty look toward me. “You were supposed to ask me for her hand in marriage.”
“I did,” I said. “Today, actually.”
“Well.” Flint shrugged. “You never got your answer.”
“I took the silence as a yes.” I snorted.
“That silence was supposed to appear as if I didn’t want to give you permission,” he countered.
“Oh?” I laughed. “Imagine that.”
“I’m so glad that we’re all going to somehow, in a convoluted way, all be sisters.” Raleigh clapped again. “I hope that we all have babies together.”
When Carmichael’s eyes met mine in silent question, I couldn’t help the smile that lit my face.
“I’m down if you are.”
CHAPTER 20
Treat me like a princess and choke me.
