Page 85 of Lipstick Kiss

“What did I do?” Freya asked.

“I got three words out, and he said yes. Not even the whole sentence.”

“Like father like daughter. That’s a good thing, right?”

“I suppose,” Luke said, grabbing her hand. “Come on, Keith said we’re allowed a celebratory roastie before lunch.”

“Yay,” Freya said and was gleefully dragged into the house and to the kitchen.

All the men were hip to the kitchen island, sipping beers and arguing over nothing. They silenced as soon as Freya came into the room.

“What are you lot gossiping about?”

“Nothing much, honey,” her dad said. “Let’s have a look at the ring then.”

Freya stuck out her hand and then slowly lowered it to the bowl on the counter with roasties in. She clutched the potato like she was playing an arcade game, grabbing a teddy, and lifted her hand.

Jason whistled when he saw the ring. “You chose a whopper,” he said to Luke. “At least I chose from the bottom row when I went for the diamond.”

Freya looked at Luke, and he was already looking at her smiling. “I chose what you asked for,” he said, shrugging.

“Which row?”

“Top row, Peaches.”

“Yes,” Freya hissed with a fist punch in the air.

“That’s my inheritance you’re wearing, so you need to be careful,” Luke said.

“How much of your inheritance?” Keith queried, joining the group.

“I’m not sure I should say,” Luke hedged.

Jason piped up. “Freya, do you remember the value of the other ring?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that’s worth ten times more.”

“Luke,” Freya said.

She dropped the hot roast potato on the floor and staggered back a step.

“Bloody hell, she let go of a roastie. She must be truly shocked,” Freya’s dad muttered over his beer bottle.

“What? You asked for flashy. I got you flashy. Wait until you get the eternity ring. That’s when our first child comes, right?” Luke said.

A beer bottle slammed down onto the counter.

“Calm down, dear,” Freya’s mum said to Freya’s dad.

“Freya?” she asked gently.

“I’m not pregnant, Mum. Relax.”

She was still staring at Luke.

“I better text Archer the rules of an engagement ring,” Jason muttered, ignoring Freya’s dad’s shift in mood.

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