Page 90 of That Kind of Guy

I nodded. “Sounds good. Enjoy.” I stepped around the bar and wandered over to him. His gaze stayed on me the entire time. “Hi.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” He dropped a kiss on my cheek. His skin was warm against mine and I felt it down to my toes.

I nodded to the flowers. “Are these for me?” Roses, a deep blood red, moody and romantic. My heart pinged, and I couldn’t hide my smile of delight. I never bought flowers for myself because they’d just die within a few days, and it always felt like a waste of money. These were beautiful, though. The indulgence of them, that Emmett bought them forme, made my stomach flutter.

He nodded. “They are. Is this a good time?”

“You bet. Thank you so much.” I stuck my nose into the bouquet and inhaled the fresh floral scent. “What’s the occasion?”

“My girl had the day from hell.”

My girl. If I had a diary, I’d write those words down so I’d never forget him saying them. I looked around at the restaurant, bathed in soft lighting. “You know, it started great,” I gave him a wink, and his gaze heated. “Then it went downhill,” I winced, “but it’s looking up again. This is just how the restaurant industry is. Stuff happens and we deal with it. Why don’t you take a seat, I’ll go put these in my office and we can have a drink.”

He gave me another quick kiss on my cheek and his stubble brushed my skin. “Sure.”

When I returned to the dining room, Emmett was seated at a table near the window with an uncorked bottle of wine.

I slipped into the seat across from Emmett and gave him a soft smile as I leaned my chin on my palm. “I’m happy to see you.”

“I’m happy to see you too, Adams. Missed you today.” He reached across the table to cover my other hand with his.

I nearly groaned at the warmth of his hand. If he pulled me out of here right now and carried me to his bed, I wouldn’t mind one bit.

“Tired?”

I wanted to tell him about Chuck making Keiko an offer, but I remembered Elizabeth’s words from my office, about how Emmett was always taking care of others. With the campaign, Will’s family stuff, and tomorrow’s wedding, I didn’t want to add yet another problem onto his plate. “I’m okay. Tired in a good way.”

“What did Chuck want from Keiko this morning?”

So much for not telling him. I guess he did overhear Max telling me that on the phone. I let a long breath out and met his gaze with hesitance. “He made her an offer on The Arbutus.”

Emmett’s gaze lost all the warmth from moments ago. “What?” His tone was low and cold.

I winced. “He made her an offer ten percent higher than mine.” When Emmett glanced over my shoulder at Keiko, I shook my head. “She turned him down. She doesn’t want him owning this place either.”

Emmett’s mouth set in a firm line and his hand made a fist on the table. “Adams, listen to me. That guy will not buy this restaurant.”

I nodded, twirling the ring on my ringer. “I know.”

“Do you?” His eyebrows went up and he watched my expression. “You’re getting your restaurant, Adams.” He slipped my left hand into his and moved my ring back and forth. We both looked at it as it caught the light and glinted back at us. “We made a deal.”

His words comforted something in me, and yet it was another reminded that what we were doing was just an agreement.

“I don’t want to think about this anymore.” I lifted my gaze to meet his as his fingers brushed mine. “I just want to have a nice night with you.”

He watched me and I let him. Something about his gaze made me feel both energized and at ease. I wanted him to look at me. I enjoyed the way his eyes moved over me, taking in my features.

He pulled his hand back and reached into his jacket pocket. “I have something for you.” There was a flare of contained excitement in his eyes.

I tilted my head. “You already gave me flowers.”

“I know. I was going to give these to you tomorrow, but you’ve had a day and I think now’s the right time.” He placed a little navy-blue velvet box on the table in front of me, and I stared at it.

This looked exactly like the box from the engagement ring on my finger. My heart beat hard and fast in my chest. I glanced up at Emmett and he smiled, waiting and watching. His eyebrows wiggled up and down and my pulse picked up.

Was Emmett proposing…for real?

I cracked the box open.

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