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“I’m not saying anything,” I laugh. “Mainly because you tell your wife everything, and your wife has a big mouth.”
“Yeah, okay, I’ll give you that,” he agrees begrudgingly. “Fine, keep me in the dark. I’ll still help you out because that’s what friends do and I’m a true friend.”
“Thanks, I knew I could count on you,” I chuckle, ignoring his attempt at guilt tripping me. I hang up before he can ask anymore questions and call La’Coste, one of the nicest Italian restaurants in Chicago to make a reservation.
***
I drag myself out of bed just after eight. I spent most of the night tossing and turning, barely managing a few hours sleep. All I could think of is what the fuck am I doing. This is either the best idea in the world or one I’ll never live down.
After breakfast, I make the hour drive to central Chicago. If there is one thing I don’t want to be caught looking at in town, it’s engagement rings. Rumors spread like wildfire around here and I’m nervous enough as it is.
Shopping is probably the thing I least enjoy doing, and looking for an engagement ring makes the experience a thousand times worse. I’m expecting this to take all day, but to my surprise, I find the ring in the third store I go into. A large solitaire diamond set in white gold, I know it’s perfect for her. I take it, not even bothering to look at the price tag as I hand over my credit card.
The nerves begin to creep in as I drive back home. Having the ring in my possession and everything planned is beginning to freak me out, and all the doubts are beginning to creep in. My last engagement didn’t exactly end well, what if this is no different?
Maybe it’s too soon? Maybe all I’m doing is messing up a good thing?
My stomach lurches at the thought.
At seven, I arrive at her house. The ring is safely in my pocket, but I find myself running my hands over it again and again to check it’s there. She opens the door and my heart jumps. Fuck, she looks gorgeous. She’s wearing a red flowy dress cut just above the knee with delicate straps that highlight her shoulders. Her hair is down, loose waves of copper falling down her back.
“You look beautiful,” I say, my voice catching in my throat.
She smiles. “You look pretty good yourself.” I glance down at my dressy pants and charcoal shirt and shrug. I scrub up okay. “Can you tell me what this is all about now?” she giggles.
“I missed you, that’s all,” I say. Stepping forward, I tilt her head and press my lips against hers, the reality of what I’m about to do hitting me.
“So why not ask me out? Why all the secrecy with having Grant do all this?” she shakes her head, her eyes sparkling.
“Because I wanted to keep you guessing,” I say. I didn’t think this part through. Of course she’s going to be wondering what the hell I’m up to. She has to suspect something. Fuck, I should’ve just asked her out myself.
“Okay. If you say so,” she replies, eyeing me suspiciously.
“We better get going,” I say, desperate to escape how awkward this feels. I take her hand in mine. She smiles and reaches behind her for her purse, which sits on the hall table.
The drive to the restaurant is quiet, but not awkward. Comfortable. We enjoy each others company enough that silence doesn’t automatically mean a bad thing. Every now and then I glance over at her and I choke up.
Holy fucking shit. I’m asking this girl to marry me.
I struggle to concentrate through dinner and she notices. Her brow creases as she studies me, as if she’s trying to figure out what’s wrong.
“Is everything okay?” she asks. “Your very quiet. Did something happen with your brother?”
“No, it was great seeing them,” I say. “I’m fine, I just missed you I guess.” I reach for her hand across the table. “Want to take a walk by the lake?” I suggest. My heart pounds, as the moment creeps closer. The moment I ask her to marry me.
“Sounds nice,” she says, her lips curving into a grin.
We leave the restaurant and walk down the path that leads to Pattison Lake. This is it. It’s now or never. My hand shakes as I reach into my pocket, my fingers closing over the ring box. I slow to a stop just as the rain begins to fall. Kiara turns to see why and slowly I kneel down on one knee.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her hand flying to her mouth. My heart pounds as I wonder if I’m making a huge mistake. What if I’m rushing this? She’s just buried her fiancé, for God’s sake. What was I thinking?
But it’s too late now for me not to go through with it. I reach into the box and produce the ring, convinced she’s going to turn me down.
“I know this might feel like it’s come out of nowhere, but trust me, Kiara, it hasn’t.” I clear my throat before continuing. “You’re the light of my life. You make me want to live life to the fullest. I look at what you’ve been through and I’m in awe of your strength.”
“Max…” she whispers.
I hold up my hand, stopping her. “Let me finish,” I mumble, brushing the hair from my eyes. “I love you so much, and I can’t imagine life without you and Tilly. I know there’s a good chance you’re going to say no, but fuck it. I’ve come this far.”
