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He had to propose tonight. There were too many little hints that it was happening. Little, sweet touches at my office when he came to deliver an order or give us a sale flier—which he never would do, PDA in the professional setting was not on Kent’s lists of favorite things—and how he was being secretive, almost sneaking around in a way, hiding his phone from me with a sly grin on his face. That's what guys did when they looked at rings, right?
Was I getting engaged tonight?
I straightened my auburn hair and chose a flowy dress that Ophelia made a few years back. She always referred to it as her former years, before she found her voice with fashion. I saw the sunflowers and just saw happiness.
Snagging my phone, I looked for a message from Kent. I furrowed my brow when I saw absolutely no notifications.
Niko grumbled at my feet, as if reading my mind.
“He’s busy. He just got back.” I tossed my phone on the bed and went back to the bathroom.
He gave me a slight howl. I reached down and rubbed behind his ears.
“Let’s go get dinner ready.” I stood, Niko turned and followed me, leaving my phone on the bed.
What seemed like hours later—and several chapters later—I sat alone in my kitchen with dinner done, getting cold, and Niko snoring on the cold tile. I was starting to get worried. Kent was never late for our planned dates. He would even show up randomly at times. It made me wonder if his flight was delayed or…if something happened in Salt Lake.
I ran up the stairs to grab my phone, bringing the screen to life. Milo had texted a few times, asking if I had a ring on my finger yet, and Ophelia had sent a few more photos of her upcoming line…and Kent…Kent’s message made my stomach twist.
Kent: My flight got delayed. I’ll be there around 8. We need to talk.
Talk?
I sent him back a quick message, basically saying I couldn't wait to see him and got nothing in return.
What the hell?
At exactly eight, my doorbell rang with Kent on the other side. He was tall and broad, the kind of man who would take any woman's breath away. He stood with his forearm resting against the doorframe, his face lowered and his shoulders hunched. His brown hair, longer than normal, fell in his face.
“You never ring the doorbell.” I giggled. He didn’t. He had a key.
He lifted his head. Helookedtired. “I, uh…I forgot my keys,” he mumbled.
“But you drove here.” I pointed to his BMW that sat in front of my house. The silver sports car stood out in my neighborhood, especially after riding in Milo’s truck.
He stammered. “I have the extra fob.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Well, come in. Dinner was ready around six, but we can warm it up…”
“Madeline.” He said my name with a stiffness, one I hadn’t heard before. My back was to him, and I stopped, getting the feeling that a proposal wasnotin the cards tonight. “We really just need to talk.”
I nodded. “Yeah, sure, um…” I forced a chuckle. “Why don't you have a seat, and I’ll get us some drinks?”
I heard the front door close and Kent’s footsteps into my living room. I poured him a glass of wine and grabbed myself another Dr. Pepper. I wasn’t a drinker, but I kept his favorite red wine around just for him. He seemed like he needed it tonight.
My mind was reeling. What was going on? Did he get a promotion that was making him leave the state? Did he get fired at this last convention? My mind hit every possibility that would upset Kent, and none of those ended with me saying “yes, I’ll marry you”before the night was over. I took a deep breath and left the kitchen to find Kent in my living room, sitting on the edge of my couch.
“Here.” I handed him the glass, sitting on the coffee table across from him. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“My flight wasn’t delayed,” he admitted.
“Oh, okay…” I shrugged.Maybe that was the worst of it?
He sighed. “I went home and showered and started to get ready for tonight when I got a call, and I knew I couldn’t keep doing this to you.”
My eyes widened. “Doing what?”
Kent took a long sip of his wine and then set the glass next to me on the coffee table. “I’ve been seeing someone.”
