Page 142 of That Moment
“Hey, Sadie, smells amazing in here today.” Axel has a grin a mile wide plastered on his face, and I know damn well it’s not for me. He slides into the booth across from me at the new café in town, a place that he has suddenly taken a huge interest in.
“Hey Axel,” she offers a warm smile and a small wave, “you say that every time.”
“Because every time I'm in here, it smells better than the last time, which I didn’t think was possible.” I give him a knowing look. “What? I’m just being friendly; she’s new in town.”
“Right.” I laugh.
“What’s your deal?” He nods toward the smile I can’t wipe off my face either. “You look way too happy for a guy who’s probably been elbows-deep in transmissions all morning.”
I lean back, smirking. “Guess I’ve had a good week.” Ithasbeen a good week, hell, the best in a long time. Every night with Adrienne feels easier, like we’re past the games and bullshit and finally building something together.
“Don’t be weird, man, it’s still my sister you’re dating.”
“Relax, I didn’t mean like that. It’s just been good, better. We both have said a lot of things we needed to say over the last several days.”
“Yeah, I was sad I missed the fireworks at my parents’ the other night. I’m sure that had to be pretty damn entertaining.”
“Shit,” I stretch my neck, remembering the tension and discomfort that night. “It sure as hell was something I never want to experience again. Your dad has got a way of making you feel like the smallest man alive at times.”
He snorts. “No kidding. He’s still got that military mindset now and then. He can be incredibly hardheaded, which is where Adrienne gets it. ”
“Oh, trust me, I know. If there’s one thing you aren’t going to do, it’s tell Adrienne Slade what to do.”
“Which is exactly why we call her,” we both say the last part together before laughing, “the bossy one.”
“So what’s up? I know you didn’t call me in the middle of a workday for lunch just to hang out. Is everything okay with you two?”
“Yeah, things are great,” I say, tracing a ring of condensation on my glass. “Just need your help with something.”
His brows lift. “Please tell me you’re not asking me to hide a body.”
“Worse,” I say, deadpan. “I’m asking you to help me design a ring.”
Axel’s grin fades into stunned silence. Then he whistles low. “Bro, are you serious?”
“Yeah.” My chest tightens. “I’m gonna ask Adrienne to marry me.”
For a second, he just stares, then breaks into a grin so big it’s ridiculous. “Holy shit, Scotty.” He leans back, shaking his head, and Sadie glances over our way at his sudden loud outburst. “Didn’t think I’d see the day. You really love her.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I do.”
“Have you told Aiden?”
“Yup, called him the night before I went over to confront your dad, actually. Needed the calm, sane one to talk me down.”
A minute later, Sadie pops over with our sandwiches. “Here you guys are, can I get you anything else?”
“Did you hear him?” Axel points toward me and he’s not about to do what I think he’s about to do. “He’s going to propose to my sister.”
“Jesus fucking christ, Axel!” I throw my hands up in the air, and Sadie’s eyes grow wide. She looks from him to me, her mouth falling open in a gasp.
“Oh shit, I talk too much.” He says to her, rolling his eyes. “Just don’t tell anyone okay? It’s fine,” he looks at me, “she’s not going to tell anyone.”
“I—I won’t,” she says, panicked. “I swear.”
“Oh my god, this is going to be a miracle if I can actually pull off the surprise with you around.” I shake my head, and Sadie walks back behind the counter.
“So what’s the plan? You want me to sneak you one of Mom’s old diamonds or something?”
