Page 68 of Sultry Nights

He lifted himself up and pulled her up to a standing position. "We have to go."

"Go where?" Her pretty brows pushed together.

"Buy a ring."

"Quinn, it's only seven o'clock, and it's Saturday."

"Yes. I'm aware."

"And your party is tonight."

"Also aware."

"We have things we have to do today. Like, decorate the Sandbar."

"We don't have to do that until later, and I want you to do it with my ring on your finger."

"It won't make us more engaged."

"Right. But everyone will see it. And I want everyone to know you're mine and we're getting married."

"What about Jared and Jenny? Shouldn't you tell them first?"

"I told them yesterday."

She shook her head quickly. "What?"

"I've been thinking about this since you came home with me from the hospital. Every day for the past two weeks, I've known more and more I wanted you to always be here. Yesterday I told them. They're happy, by the way."

"I haven't even met Jenny."

"I know. She's coming home next weekend to meet you. And..." He took her left hand in his and tapped her ring finger. "I want you to have a ring on this finger right here."

She inhaled deeply, then let it out. She stared into his eyes for a long time. The entire time, his heart was beating rapidly. "Okay. Let's go pick out rings."

"Rings as in plural?"

"Well, you are going to wear a wedding ring, Mr. Kurtz, so we need to pick out matching rings."

He laughed and pulled her through the house. "Now you're talking."

EPILOGUE

Epilogue - Hanna

Hanna pulled the hot curling iron out of a curl she'd meticulously wound around the hot iron and watched it fall. Taking another chunk of hair, she did it again, only this time, she watched the sparkles shoot off her engagement ring in the mirror. Her lips turned up in a smile so big the skin on her face stretched. She loved looking at her ring.

Quinn stepped into the bathroom and leaned against the door jamb. "You're going to outshine the bride."

Laughing, she pulled the curling iron out of this curl and turned to him. "Doubtful. Grace is gorgeous. She'll no doubt be especially gorgeous today."

Pushing off the doorjamb with his shoulder, he came to stand behind her. His hands slid around her waist and pulled her body back into his. She set the hot iron on the counter and lay her hands over his, enjoying the sparkler on her left hand. His lips dipped near her ear. "I love seeing you wear my ring."

She chuckled. "I was just thinking how much I love looking at it and wearing it.

He kissed her ear and squeezed her before stepping back. "How much longer before you're ready?"

"Give me five minutes. I want to pull my hair up so it isn't so hot. Then I'll step into my dress."

---