Page 72 of This Thing of Ours

Olivia gave a nonchalant shrug. “I might have overheard something while Nico was on the phone with Marco.”

“Like what?”

Olivia glanced over her shoulder though the guards were well out of earshot. She even lowered her voice. “I didn’t hear much—not for lack of trying—but I did hear Nico mention the name of the jeweler he uses. I’m thinking Marco may pop the question.”

It took Gabby a second to digest that before she adamantly shook her head. “No way. We’ve only been together a couple of weeks.”

“But you’ve known each other for years,” Olivia persisted.

“That doesn’t matter. He’s probably getting me some kind of other jewelry. Earrings or a necklace or something.”

“Okay. Well, I’m sure you would know better than me.”

“Yeah.” Gabby laughed. “I mean, Marco proposing would be crazy, right?”

And Gabby kepttelling herself that over the next few days as Christmas approached. As she grew increasingly excited and ever hopeful, she found herself watching Marco more intensely, looking to see whether he appeared nervous or was acting antsy or jittery—all signs she was sure would point to him getting ready to ask her to marry him. But he always seemed calm, cool, and collected.

Even when the holiday had finally arrived.

They were celebrating Christmas Eve at Nico’s house that year as Gabby’s parents’ place was still under construction, and Marco and Gabby arrived—with Fred in tow—a little late but still managed to get there before her parents.

Weighted down with presents, Gabby opened the door for Marco, catching a gift that slid off the top of his pile as Fred ran past them and into the house. “I can’t see shit,” Marco said, righting his footing.

Gabby took him by the arm. “I’ll lead you.”

Fred barked, and two German shepherds came racing down the stairs. Candy and Cain took to Fred like a long lost sibling, and the mischievous duo transformed into the naughty trio, tumbling across the foyer and banging into a side table, scattering mail across the marble floor.

“Don’t let me trip over the damn dogs.”

Gabby held back a laugh but couldn’t hold back her smile. Thankfully, Marco couldn’t see her face. “I won’t. Promise.”

“You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?”

“I plead the fifth. You should be pretty familiar with that amendment.”

He maneuvered his head around a large box to glare at her. “I’ll have you know, I’ve never been arrested.”

“Really? Even Nico’s been arrested once. He didn’t do time, but he did have to spend the night in jail.” She wrinkled her nose. “He was grumpy for months after that. Swore he’d never see the inside of a jail cell or a prison again.”

Marco nodded. “He’s gotten good at keeping certain palms greased.”

As was her father. He liked to brag to her mom about which politicians and police chiefs were in his back pocket, and Gabby had overheard more than one of their conversations.

“Hey, guys,” Olivia greeted from the top of the stairs. “Go ahead and put the gifts under the tree. I’m getting Angelica dressed then I’ll be down.”

“Take your time,” Gabby answered for them both. “We don’t have a problem making ourselves at home.”

Olivia laughed. “I know you don’t, but we won’t be long.”

Gabby helped Marco set the presents under the tree and soon, not only did Olivia, Nico, and Angelica come down, but her parents arrived, as well.

“How are you feeling, Dad?” Gabby asked, placing a kiss on his cheek as soon as he hobbled through the door on his crutches.

“I’d be doing better if this infuriating woman would leave me the hell alone for five fucking seconds.”

Gabby turned to the woman in question and smiled before giving her a kiss on the cheek, as well. “Just ignore him, Mom.”

Dona returned her daughter’s kiss before saying, “Oh, honey, I’ve been doing that for years.”

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