Page 140 of Drawn Blue Lines

Before I’d ever been kissed.

And as if it were yesterday, I knew my next line perfectly. “Want to talk about it?”

The fire that had lit his eyes before blazed even brighter. Turning away, he stared blankly across the bar before lifting the mug to his mouth. “Not particularly.”

“Well, then can I buy you a drink?”

“I own the bar, sweetheart.”

“I get it,” I recited as I shifted toward him and leaned my elbow onto the bar. “I’m just a stranger. What do I know, right? But you’ve got a chip on your shoulder the size of Texas. You obviously need to unload. If not me, there’s got to be someone you can talk to.”

And just like a year ago, Brody said nothing.

“Girlfriend?”

Still nothing.

I opened my mouth to say the memorable line I hit him with next. The one I remembered set him off on a chain reaction of events that led us here, but he beat me to it.

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“What?” I reared back, confused. That wasn’t what he was supposed to say.

Before I could move from my chair, Brody took my hand, his throat bobbing on a hard swallow. “I’m hoping I have a wife.”

I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt like a team of horses trampled over it, and my heart raced with disbelief. Those words. I couldn’t process those words.

“Brody—”

I was caught off guard when one corner of his mouth twitched in a cocky smirk, and he reached forward and pinched my lips shut. “Baby, I know you love to argue, but shut up and let me get this out.”

I nodded as best I could with his fingers holding my lips in a vice grip.

He smiled, tilting his chin toward my lap. “This is where it started. When you walked into my bar and sat down on that stool, I hit rock bottom. I didn’t think my life could get any worse.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Hmmfwhhhaa.”

Which loosely translated meant, watch it.

Brody let out a low laugh and ran a hand up my cheek. “You came here to destroy me, Adriana, but you ended up saving me. We’re not perfect, and we’ll never be normal, but I don’t think I’d want it any other way. I know I don’t want you any other way. I love your stubborn attitude. I love that you always have to have the last word. I love that you can’t cook, and damn near set the bar on fire.” He grinned. “But mostly, I love you, princesa. I love the sentimental woman, the passionate lover, and the ruthless queen, and I want all three by my side forever.”

It didn’t matter that he held my lips closed. I wouldn’t have been able to string two words together anyway. All I could do was stare at him as he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a diamond ring.

“So, what do you say, Adriana Carrera? Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”

I nodded.

Partly because he still had my lips clamped shut, but mainly because words failed me. Even the simple three letter one that answered his question. That was the thing about Brody and me—we didn’t need something as trivial as a word to solidify what we felt. We didn’t need ceremonies or vows or huge diamond rings.

We’d proven our commitment to each other over and over.

But I sure as hell wouldn’t turn any of those things down.

Frankie, along with the few patrons in the bar, cheered as Brody whooped and scooped me off the chair, kissing me and spinning me around until we were both delirious and dizzy.

“Did she say yes? We’re dying over here!”

As the familiar voice filled the bar, my head shot up, and I glanced over Brody’s shoulder, my legs wrapped around his waist and my arms twisted around his neck. “Is that Eden?”

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