Page 17 of The Banker

“Is everything ok?” I ask.

“Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine. It’s nothing to worry about. It’s just… it’s…”

Carter’s frown deepens. “Spit it out, Connor.”

“I’m going to ask Tawny to marry me,” he rushes out.

“What?” Carter gasps. “That’s huge! Congratulations! How? When?”

I roll my eyes inwardly. Everyone knows I am of a specific marriage type. I like themarrieds, not themarriables. “Why so drastic?” I grumble.

Connor glances at me. “I knew I could count on you for support.” Then he turns back to Carter. “Well, this is the thing. I know I want to do it, but the idea ofactually doing itscares the hell out of me. So, I have no idea how and when, just that I know I’ve found my soulmate and I want a piece of paper that says we’re committed. You know?”

“Yeah, I do,” Carter says, shooting me an accusatory look.

“I am supportive,” I say. “Whatever you want to do, Connor, I’m right behind you. It’s not what I would do, obviously, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for you, man.”

“Thanks,” Connor replies, looking relieved. “I need help. Seriously. I have no idea how to go about this.”

“Have you bought a ring?” Carter asks.

“No. Like, how do I even know what she’ll want?”

I break into a smile. For all his perfectionist genius and supposed sex appeal, Connor actually has very little clue about women. “Does she have a favorite stone?”

“Fuck knows. Diamond? Isn’t that what they all want?”

Carter shakes his head, fervently. “Not all of them. Seleste likes sapphires. They remind her of everything she’s come through to get here, with the trek across the sea and all. Plus, she has a diamond on her ass. My diamond. We got it inked before she left for Miami. So, for her finger, she wants one big sapphire with a small diamond either side, and a yellow gold band. Not platinum.”

“You’ve discussed this?” Connor asks, shocked.

“Yeah, sure we have. I mean, it’s not going to happen for a long time. I need some fucking sleep and a win on the lottery first, but we both want to do it at some point.”

“Oh fuck. What do I do? I want it to be a total surprise, and it won’t be if I have to ask her what kind of ring she wants.”

“Leave it with me,” Carter says, slapping Connor on the shoulder. He’s no more familiar with women than Connor is, but I’m sensing some gleeful superiority on his part for having hadtheconversation already. “If it’s ok with you, I can ask Seleste to do some digging. She’ll ask Tawny the right questions, she won’t raise suspicion. Trust me, she’s great at stuff like this, and they’ve become pretty close.”

“Ok,” Connor nods, gratefully. “And what about where and how? Proposals are a big deal, right? Do I need to take one of the boats? Hide the ring in a slice of cake?”

No one is particularly interested in my opinion on this matter, which is totally fine by me, but I give it anyway. “That’s way too clichéd.”

“So, what then?” Connor asks.

A thought springs to mind. I might know exactly how he should do it. Connor will absolutely hate the idea, but Tawny will recognize it as a gesture of epic proportions. But I need more information first. “When do you want to do it?”

“On her birthday. It’s eight weeks away.”

“Ok,” I say, thinking. “I have an idea, but I need to talk to someone before you get your hopes up.”

“Thanks guys.” Connor lets out a sigh of relief. “What would I do without you two, huh?”

I grin and cross my fingers. I have a very good feeling this might work.

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