Page 150 of That Moment
I grab his collar, pull him close enough that he can’t miss the warning in my voice. “You say one word, and I swear?—”
“Easy, Romeo.” He lifts both hands, smirking. “My lips are sealed. Mostly.”
I shove him back, shaking my head. “I mean it, Axel. Don’t ruin this.”
Before he can smart off again, Adrienne appears at my side, cheeks flushed from the cold, hair loose around her shoulders. She’s wearing a deep green sweater that makes her eyes look like the pine trees behind the ranch, and for a second, everything else fades.
“What are you two arguing about now?” she asks, slipping her arm through mine. Her touch calms me.
“Nothing,” Axel answers too quickly.
“Uh-huh.” She eyes him, then glances up at me. “You look guilty. Both of you.”
I force a smile. “Just dude talk.”
“Right.” She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Anyway, come on, there’s a booth over there with fresh cider and elephant ears, and if we don’t get one soon, Brooklyn’s kids are going to eat them all.”
“Wouldn’t dream of standing between you and fried dough,” I say, letting her tug me toward the food stalls.
As we walk, I feel the weight of the small velvet box in my pocket. It’s been there all night, burning against my thigh, a reminder of what’s coming. Every step closer to the end of the night feels like stepping closer to the edge of a cliff.
Nate Palmer handed me the finished ring not even forty-eight hours ago, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secretfor much longer. The ring is perfect, the diamond that Axel was able to get from his mom is the perfect center stone.
We pass Ranger and Dolly by the pumpkin-carving tent and say hello. Tyler sprints by, chasing one of his kids with a wet wipe. Dolly’s snapping pictures for the town Facebook page. The whole damn family’s here, loud and happy, and I’m going to pop the big question tonight in front of all of them.
Shit, was this a good idea?
I tug at my collar. Adrienne laughs beside me, radiant in the glow of string lights. I swear, half the people here are watching her. She’s always been that kind of person to draw everyone in. And for once, she’s mine. Or at least, she will be.
If she says yes.
We stop at the elephant ear booth, the smell of cinnamon sugar curling in the cool air. I hand over a few bills, and Adrienne grins when I tear a piece off and hold it out to her. She leans in, takes a bite, sugar dusting her lips. I can’t help it, I kiss her, quick, just enough to taste the sweetness.
Axel’s voice carries from behind us. “Get a room, man.”
Adrienne laughs, tossing him a look over her shoulder. “Jealous much?”
He’s leaning against a fencepost, trying to look bored, but I catch where his gaze keeps drifting—to Sadie, the new bakery owner across the square. She’s laughing with Brooklyn.
I nudge Adrienne. “Your brother’s got a little crush, in case you didn’t know.”
She follows my gaze and smirks. “Oh my God. He’s totally staring at her. Should I go say something?” she teases.
“No,” I warn. “Let him figure it out. I gave him a hard time about it a while back; he’s acting like he’s just being friendly.”
But she’s already laughing, whispering to Amelia and Milly, who burst out giggling. Across the way, Axel looks up, spotsthem whispering, and immediately looks anywhere but in Sadie’s direction.
“Subtle,” I murmur.
Adrienne squeezes my hand. “Slades aren’t known for subtlety.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “You’ve been quiet tonight. Everything okay?”
I try to act nonchalant. “Yeah. Just a little tired, baby.”
“You want to head out?”
