“And I want that. There should be a name for this. The state of being pre-engaged. I think there should at least be a ring involved, don’t you think?”
“A ring?” My voice squeaked as Lucah pulled something out of his pocket. He’d planned this. Well, probably not exactly as it had turned out, but he’d had the ring, just in case.
“This is a little something I’ve kept around for you, and I’ve been waiting for the right time. This is that time. I’m not going to get down on one knee, but I’ll crouch a little so we’re at the same eye level.” I would have smacked him for the jab on my height, but I was too busy looking at the ring in the box he held out to me. It was a ruby, set in a silver setting. It was chunky, and had designs on it that reminded me of something.
“It’s my mother’s class ring. Ryder and Tate and I . . . well, we split what was left after the fire three ways, and this was one thing I got. And it’s a ruby. So, with that said, Aurora Abigail Clarke, will you do me the honor of becoming my pre-fiancé?” I looked up at his beaming face. His freckles, his glorious blue eyes, that chin dimple.
“Yes, Lucah Jacob Blythe. I will become your pre-fiancé.” He slid the ring on my right ring finger, and then kissed my hand.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.” He rose to his full height and pulled me up with him, so I was on my tiptoes as we sealed our pre-engagement with a kiss. There was only one little snag that made me break the kiss.
“But we’re going to have to figure out how to deal with the work situation,” I said.
“About the work situation,” he said, and the flirty tone shifted and his face became serious. “I . . . I don’t think I should work at CE anymore. It puts you in a delicate position, and as much as I adore knowing that you’re in the same building, I just don’t think it’s the best arrangement. Unless you want me to stay, then I’ll stay. The choice is yours.”
I couldn’t tell him what to do, where to work. If he didn’t want to work at Clarke Enterprises anymore, then he didn’t have to. It would be . . . an adjustment not having him in the building, but if that was what he wanted, and if that was what it would take for us to take the next step, then I’d let him do it.
“No, the choice is yours. It’s your life.” He shook his head and pulled me closer, resting his forehead against mine.
“No, it’s our life. Yours and mine. Whatever I do affects you. Even though we’re not married yet. I don’t want to make any decisions without you.” I could feel a headache growing behind my eyes, and I didn’t know if I could make any more decisions tonight.
“Can we talk about it tomorrow? It’s been . . . a long day.”
“You’re right. We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” he agreed, and started backing up toward the bedroom, taking me with him. “But right now, I think we started something in the supply closet that I would really like to get back to.”
“I would also like to get back to that, almost future husband.” He raised his eyebrows at my use of the word ‘husband.’
“Whatever you say, almost future wife.”
Sloane and Ryder tagged along with us the next day when we went to visit Tate, April and the girls. A part of me couldn’t wait to see how Sloane reacted to Gracie and Fiona. It was one of those situations that was going to either go well, or be a total disaster. Vegas odds were 1:1 on which way it would go.
“So I don’t have to do anything, right? Like change diapers? Because I have a really sensitive gag reflex,” Sloane said, causing Ryder to make a choking noise that was probably suppressed laughter. “Oh grow the f**k up.”
“No, you won’t have to change diapers because both girls can use this awesome thing called a toilet. Honestly, you’re worse than I was, and that’s saying something. At least you had brothers and sisters when you were growing up to practice on,” I said.
“I avoided young children at all costs. Especially the ones I was related to.” That I knew to be true. It wasn’t that Sloane didn’t like children. I think they just freaked her out. They were messy and unpredictable and, most of all, they ruined clothing. That was their greatest drawback.
“They’re kids, not Velociraptors. What do you think they’re going to do? Destroy your perfect outfit?” Ryder said, tugging on the sleeve of her wrap blouse. She’d paired it with cropped pants and a killer pair of boots. I’d advised her not to wear large sparkly jewelry, because little hands had a tendency to go for them.
“Hey, I work hard to look this good and I don’t want it getting messed up,” she said, adjusting her top.
“I think you’d make anything look good,” Ryder said, and Sloane rolled her eyes at him, but I saw her biting back a smile.
“Should we bring anything?” Sloane asked.
“No,” Lucah and I said at the same time.
“Whoa, okay. Sorry I asked.”
Lucah turned off the highway and headed for the ‘burbs. I was actually relieved to be visiting Tate and April and the girls. Their kids didn’t ask much. All they wanted were cookies, to put glitter on my face and to wear my heels. Simple. No underhanded motives, no lying or fishing for information.
Plus, they were so happy to see me they were practically screaming. Then they saw Ryder and got even more excited. He picked both of them up and they started chattering away, pulling on his hair and begging for his attention. Lucah grabbed Fiona and started swinging her around as Tate went and got coffee for everyone.
“It’s so good to see you again, Sloane,” April said, giving her a hug. They’d bonded in the hospital and I knew they’d been keeping in touch. After they hugged, Sloane stepped back and looked her up and down. “You’re showing already.”
“What?” April’s hands went to her belly, pressing against something I couldn’t see.
“She’s not serious, if you can’t tell,” I said, giving Sloane a look. She looked again and nodded.
“You’re right. It was just the drape of your shirt. Good. That means I won’t have to alter this!” She went to the car and brought back a garment bag and presented it with a flourish.
“What is that?” April said, pointing to the bag.
“Oh, this? This would be your dress for the charity event. Tada!” There was much squealing and rejoicing over the dress and Sloane hadn’t even showed it to her yet. The girls came over and wanted to see it, so Sloane unzipped the bag and pulled it out. Short and white, it had a vintage feel with a skirt that flared out. Sloane turned it around and showed the back, where the straps crossed with a bow in the middle.