Page 85 of Evidence of Secrets

“Did you mean it?”

Hank frowned. “Laura, I would never ask a question like that if I didn’t mean it.”

Oh, dear. She hurt his feelings. “No, I—I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just so sudden.”

He cocked his head. “Maybe for you, but I’ve been thinking about asking you for a while.” He blinked and bit his lip. “You never answered me last night.”

“Hmmm. Maybe because you were giving me an orgasm?”

“Two, if I remember correctly.” He gave her a cocky smile. “So. Will you? Marry me?”

Laura pulled him closer and whispered in his ear. “Yes. I would love to marry you.”

A deep rumble started in his chest. He kissed her lips. She went to kiss him back, but Hank jumped out of bed.

“Upsy daisy, sweetheart. I want to eat breakfast and then buy you a ring.” He looked at his watch. “The jeweler opens at ten. I’d like you to pick out what you want.”

Laura had never thought about a ring.

What style would she want? She didn’t want a large diamond, which wasn’t her style. What was? Round? Square? Rectangular? Ugh. She twisted the ring her mother had given her.

“Hank. Would you be insulted if I wanted to keep the ring my mother gave me? Maybe get a different setting.”

She knew Hank could afford any ring she wanted. But her mother’s ring was special. Would he understand?

“No, I wouldn’t have a problem. But tell me why?”

“Hmmm.” She took the ring off and looked at it. “This ring was passed down in my family with love. I’d like to keep the tradition going and pass it on to our children someday.”

“Ah, do you want children?”

She lightly slapped his arm. “Of course I do.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Can we start practicing?”

She placed the ring back on her finger. “Maybe.”

Hank flipped her on her back. “Wiseass.” He reached over to the side table and brought out a couple of condoms. “While I’d love to start a family in the future, I’d like to spend some alone time with you. Is that okay?”

Laura nodded. It was more than okay.

She and Hank had a lot of loving to do before thinking about kids. Her future was looking brighter.

CHAPTERSIXTY-ONE

Amonth after Ryan broke into the bistro, Laura reopened.

Hank was pleased to see her in her element again. She wasn’t working as much. Bridget and the staff had stepped up to help.

Tonight, they planned an engagement party at the condo. Quite a few people were coming, and Hank was anxious. Most of his friends, except for Danny and Logan, had never been to his condo. He wanted to hire a caterer until he mentioned it to Laura. Her left eyebrow hitched up, and she glared at him.

“Really? You want to hire a caterer?”

“Ah, no?” Hank just wanted to make it easy for her. The one thing he’d learned about his future wife was she didn’t waste money and didn’t ask anyone if she could do something herself.

“I didn’t think so. I can handle the food. The girls volunteered to set up and help serve if necessary.”

Hank shrugged. “Works for me. I just want to make you happy.”

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