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My heart did a happy little jump skip. “Really? I mean, duh, of course, the ticket says so, but... really?” I’m glad I didn’t put up more of a fight this morning. So many firsts about to happen, both terrifying and exciting.Tokyo. “You’ve been planning this for months,” I realized. Now I knew why Owen insisted I get a passport.
He shrugged. “Guilty.”
They unloaded the luggage from the back of the Jeep, refusing to let me carry any of it. If anyone besides Sadie had packed for me, I’d insist on checking everything before we went any farther, but she probably had me more than prepared.
There were only a couple of other people on the shuttle to the airport. Owen tangled his fingers with mine as he sat next to me.
Kingston was on my other side, and kept an arm wrapped around me. “Odds of joining the Mile-High Club?” he asked in a soft, playful voice.
I loved the idea, but it also scared me. I wasn’t sure I was there yet. “Ask me again on the trip home.”
“I will. Believe it.” Kingston kissed me on the cheek.
We reached Terminal 1, checked our luggage, made it through security without any hassle, and grabbed coffee before reaching our gate.
With caffeine pumping through my veins, and some of my excitement settling, my brain was firing on all cylinders again. I had a surprise for them, too. I’d been saving it for our six-month anniversary, but that was only a few days off, so telling them now was just as good.
I never imagined I’d be the person who celebrated every relationship milestone, but we’d made a big deal out of every month together, and it hadn’t gotten old yet.
Then again, everything about our relationship was still fresh and amazing.
“I need to show you something.” I grabbed my phone and scrolled through images.
Kingston rested his chin on my shoulder. “Dirty pictures?”
“Seductively sweet pictures?” Owen asked.
“Both.” Not really. At least, not at all in the way they meant. “I’ve been thinking...” Now that the words were on my lips, it felt like a presumptuous assumption. But I trusted them. I knew what we had, and how real it was.
The reminder was enough to propel me forward. I showed them my screen. It was a mock-up of the Loading Java logo—the brunette perched on the edge of the coffee cup—but she wore their crown. “I know I only bring my shop to the table, and my recipes, but—”
“Yes.” Kingston cut me off.
“Only if we’re completely equal partners,” Owen added. “You have as much say in any decision as we do.”
“But only if we get your recipes. You did say that. Promise me.” Kingston’s voice was light.
I couldn’t hide my smile. “I did say that.”
Kingston twitched in his seat, half standing, then sitting again.
“Do you need to pee or something?” Owen asked.
Kingston rolled his eyes and flipped Owen off. “I want to go down on one knee,” Kingston said. “But... public.”
My smile grew. “I’d be okay with it, just this once, but only because you warned me.”
Kingston dropped to one knee in front of me. I’d seen this twice before, but this time he wasn’t apologizing. He grasped my fingers. “You’re my universe. I love you more than anyone, and I every day I thank any god who listens that I found you. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. Our life. You’re the perfect addition. Nothing would make me—us—happier than to call you partner in everything. Business. Life.”
My breath caught. This was half a heartbeat from... “You almost make it sound like you’re proposing.”
“I’m not. Not yet. That’s the next surprise, two nights from now at the base of Mt Fuji.”
I caught my laugh when I studied his face and saw how serious he was. “Now it’s not a surprise.”
Kingston shrugged. “You don’t like surprises.”
“If you’re not asking yet, I’ll save myyesuntil then.” I looked at Owen. “Does he speak for you?”
