Page 143 of That Moment
I laugh, but he's serious. “Oh, is that an option?” I consider how Adrienne reacted to me giving her the locket and realize that’s exactly what I should do.
“Yeah. She has this brooch that is from her great grandma, and she always said to Adrienne growing up that she wanted her to use it for her engagement ring.”
“That is amazing. I was planning on having Nate Palmer make it.”
“That’ll be perfect. Axel’s voice softens. “You know she’s gonna lose her mind when you propose, right?”
“Think so?”
“Iknowso. She’s been in love with you since middle school, and it’s all about to come out.”
I laugh nervously, hoping and praying he’s right because I’m not sure I could handle if she said no.
He raises his glass. “To you and my sister, about damn time.”
The soundof her blow dryer hums through the bathroom while I button my shirt, the smell of her perfume floating out with the steam. I’ve gotten used to this, to her toothbrush beside mine, her heels by the door, her laugh filling my mornings.
When she steps out, her hair’s loose around her shoulders, and she’s still half-dressed—skirt on, no blouse yet, bra strap slipping down her arm. “You’re staring again,” she teases, reaching for her earrings.
“Can’t help it,” I say, leaning against the dresser. “I like watching you.”
She laughs. “Flattering. Don’t forget, baby, I’m meeting the girls tonight after work, so I won’t be home till late.”
“Girls’ night, huh?”
“Yep.” She crosses to the mirror, sliding her blouse up her arms. “They’ve been begging for the full recap. The lowdown on what happened with you and my dad, the fact that you didn’t get murdered, and the fact that we’re officially a couple. I told them they can wait until tonight to hear everything. All the dirty details.”
I grin, stepping up behind her, sliding my hands around her waist. “You sure you wanna shareallof our dirty details?” I flick her earlobe with my tongue.
“Notallof them.” Her reflection meets mine in the mirror. “Just a few of the highlights.” The words end in a sigh as shecloses her eyes and tilts her head, giving me more access to her neck. I pepper kisses down it, stopping every so often to nibble. Continuing down, I bite down on her shoulder.
She laughs, turning in my arms. “I’m also telling them the big one tonight.”
“What big one?” I ask, already knowing but wanting to hear her say it.
Her smile softens. “That we said I love you.”
Hearing her say those words does something to me every damn time. “You’re gonna tell them that?”
“Of course.” She runs her hands up my chest. “I love you, Scotty, and I want the people I love to know how happy I am.”
My throat tightens. I press my forehead to hers, murmuring, “You have no idea how good it feels hearing that.”
“I think I do,” she whispers, brushing her lips against mine.
I kiss her slowly, deeply, until her breath catches. My fingers slip under the hem of her blouse, skimming her skin, and she shivers. When I reach her bra strap, I hook a thumb beneath it and tug it down her arm, my voice rough. “Maybe I should give you something else to tell your friends about.”
She lets out a soft laugh, low and breathy. “You’re going to make me late to work.”
“Yes, I am,” I reply, kissing her throat, trailing lower. She tilts her head back, hands gripping my shoulders, when her phone starts ringing from the bedroom.
She groans, forehead against my chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Let it go to voicemail.”
She shakes her head, already stepping back. “I’m sure it’s something for work. I’ll just be a second.”
I watch her disappear down the hall, phone in hand, her voice soft and professional as she answers. I finish buttoning my shirt and head for the kitchen to fill up our coffee cups.
