Page 104 of Known By You
Kenny
Ishook out my hands and Cookie patted my back.
“It’ll be good. Promise.”
His words were reassuring except I kind of hated promises like that because no one knew for sure, did they? No. They did not.
“It will be. She’s all yours and you’re hers. It’s perfect.”
Stone’s faith in me and Liz was not something I would ignore, and I’d heard it before. But it didn’t help the absolutely dizzying nerves sliding through me.
“Are we sure the girls are ready? Everyone’s set up?” I asked, my throat dry. Why was my throat dry? I also probably had to pee because I’d been drinking so much water.
“They’re ready,” Doc confirmed, squinting in a way that told me he was hiding his smile.
They were all trying not to laugh at me, but I got it. I was a whole damn mess and I wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
But how could I not be? I was asking Liz to marry me, and even though we’d talked about it and she’d finally answered “yes” when I’d asked her if I could ask her a few days ago, as our little game had become this last little while, so this would not be all that much of a surprise, what if… I didn’t know?
Whatif?
“Nikki just confirmed they’re en route and it’s all good,” Bruce said, tapping at his phone before slipping it into his pocket.
“And Darcy’s good to go, too,” Wilder added.
Okay. Okay. Really, this was it.
“Incoming in five minutes,” Cookie said, his voice low.
“Scatter!” I said, my dang throat dry as a July afternoon. I shuffled toward the bench where I’d stashed water and guzzled some down, willing my breathing to slow.
I’d faced down terrorist organizations and bomb disposal and friends bleeding out and kidnappers and all kinds of crap, and I’dneverbeen more nervous.
Cool, cool, cool.
“You got this,” Beast said, his severe face imbuing me with a bit of calm as he patted my shoulder and strode away, leaving me with the stunning view of the mountains.
Maybe this was foolish and completely off the ledge, but I hoped she’d like it.
I hope she says yes.
The next four minutes passed like a kidney stone, but eventually, I heard her coming.
“Kenny? Are you—hey, there you are.” She beamed when she saw me standing in what I’d come to think of as our spot. “What is going on?”
“Whatever do you mean, dearest Liz? I always wear asuit when we come to the bench.” I reached for her hand as she made it to me.
Her face was so full of humor and happiness, my heart clutched.
“Seriously, why did it feel like every single person I know watched me walk up this trail, and why are you wearing a very nice suit and I’m standing here in… normal clothes?”
The guys should be arriving back down the other side of the trail. They’d had to loop around after she started her hike, and bless them for being willing to do so. They’d have a few minutes to change… if all went to plan.
“Sit with me,” I said, guiding her around to take a seat.
Nerves twisted through me, but I launched in. “The first time we came up here, I had no idea who you were.”
Her eyes were wide and her hand gripped mine firmly. “Likewise. You’ve surprised me in so many ways.”
