Page 82 of Perfectly Wedded

I’m about to find out which one it is.

I’m calling it Operation Proposal. Tonight, it’s Sloan’s night to wash dishes, and hopefully, she’ll take off her ring. Once she does, I’m counting on the fact it won’t be hard to distract her, and Brax will slip in and steal the ring.

Tate gives an overdramatic yawn as he takes his plate to the sink after dinner. “Think I’ll head to bed early tonight.”

“You never go to bed early.” Sloan frowns, studying Tate like he must be coming down with the plague. “You feel okay?”

“Yep, just tired.” He bounces up the steps, taking two at a time.

“I’m heading to the store. Need anything?” Leo asks no one in particular.

“Can you pick up some glazed donuts? I have an early morning practice,” Sloan says.

“You’re giving your skaters donuts and not sharing them with us?” Leo looks almost offended by this.

Sloan squeezes dish soap into the water before sliding her ring off and setting it on the lip of the sink. “I never said you couldn’t have any, Leo.”

“I’ll pick up extras.” Leo grabs his keys and heads out the back door. I make eye contact with Brax, who’s already noticed the ring.

He stands and heads to the living room couch, turning on the TV just like we planned.

Sloan plunges her hands into the soapy bubbles. I wrap my arms around her waist, hugging her from behind.

“Well, hello,you,” she says with a grin. Her head turns slightly, and I kiss the soft hollow of her cheek, then her earlobe.

“Looks like we’re alone, finally.”

“It appears that way,” she murmurs. She seems reluctant, or maybe just has a lot on her mind, I can’t tell which.

“I was hoping we could spend some time together.” Which is code for kissing her as long as possible.

“And by time together, you mean doing the laundry, right?”

“Not exactly,” I laugh.

“Well, let me finish these dishes first, and then I’d be happy to.”

“Dishes can wait,” I say, taking a dripping plate from her hands. I need to get her away from the sink now before she finishes and slides on her ring. I slowly turn her so she’s facing me. “Why don’t we go for a walk? If we leave now, we’ll see the sunset.” I grab her hand and lead her toward the door.

She tilts her head. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“No reason,” I say. “Other than I don’t want to miss the sunset.”

She frowns. “You’re up to something, Vale MacPherson.”

I straighten my face. “I’m not.”Except I am and now she’s onto me.

The sound of a car engine in the driveway turns her attention toward the window that faces the drive. “The girls are home.” She opens the front door. “Any luck?”

Jaz crawls out of the car with my mom beside her. “We got a wedding haul for you.”

Mia unloads several bags from the back seat as Sloan meets them at the car to see what they bought.

I spin around and catch Brax sneaking toward the kitchen. “Now?” he whispers.

I wave him toward the sink and mouth the word, “Hurry.” Brax disappears into the kitchen, and a few seconds later, he mutters, “Uh-oh.”

When I run into the kitchen, Brax has his hand down the garbage disposal.

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