Page 256 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

She groaned. “You know I hate being kept in the dark,” she lamented. “Give me a hint.”

He pursed his lips, tightening his hold on the steering wheel. “Hmm … let’s see … a hint. Okay, how about this? I think it’s time we took our relationship to the next level.”

Electricity zinged through her when he reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips. Anticipation licked through her veins. Was he talking about proposing?

When they pulled up to a pet store a few minutes later, she frowned, her hopes of an impending proposal going down the drain. “You’re getting a pet?”

He laughed lightly. “Don’t look so enthusiastic.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Are you seriously considering getting a pet? What kind?”

“A fish.”

“Oh, okay.” She scrunched her hair, a thought occurring to her. “Who’s gonna take care of it while you’re gone on your jobs?”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I was thinking you could help with that. Please.”

“Just because you’re handsome, doesn’t mean you get the world handed to you on a silver platter,” she grumbled. It was fine for Maddox to get a fish if he wanted, but why make a big deal about it? Why tell her he was taking their relationship to the next level? She folded her arms over her chest. “You go ahead. I’ll just wait for you out here.”

“Come on, Squirt. Go in with me. I need you to help me pick out Nemo.”

She rolled her head back, hating when Maddox called her that. He’d been teasing her about Pops’ nickname for weeks. It was starting to get old.

He leaned closer, his thumb caressing her cheek. “I’ll make it up to you,” he uttered, his gaze lingering on her lips.

Ribbons of desire swirled through her stomach, making her forget her irritation for a moment. “Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll go in, but I’m telling you right now that I refuse to take care of Nemo when you go out of town.”

He laughed, shaking his head.

Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse. “Hello?”

“Hello? Is this Addie Spencer?” a male voice asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“This is Frank Steinway.”

“Mr. Steinway. Hello.”

“I’m calling about your bracelet.”

“Yes.”

“I just got it back from my nephew in Brooklyn. He was able to repair it for you.”

“Oh, thank you.” She didn’t want anything further to do with Jordan’s mother’s jewelry. Still, she’d asked Mr. Steinway to do a job and was obligated to pay him for his service.

“It’s the darnedest thing. The clasp wasn’t working properly because there was some sort of chip wedged into it.”

Addie stiffened, looking at Maddox.

“What?” he asked.

She put Mr. Steinway on speaker. “Are you there?”

“Uh, yes.”

“What were you saying about a chip being in the clasp of the bracelet?” Addie asked.

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