Page 46 of Always Heated

“Nothing.”

“So, you don’t want to pick it up today?” Davis asks cautiously.

I take a deep breath. “No, I’ll pick it up now.”

Cassidy’s eyes narrow on me with a twinkle she can’t hide as she replies to Davis, “Same.”

I am not proposing to her in a jewelry store, but fuck when she looks at me like this, all I want to do is drop down to one knee and ask her to be mine for the rest of our lives. He packs mine up in a small bag and I thank him, then tell Cass, “I’ll meet you outside.”

As I brush past her, she grips my arm. “What’s in there?”

“You’ll have to see when we get home.” I brush a soft kiss on her cheek and make my way out the door.

What the hell could she be picking up?

A few minutes later, she exits with a matching bag and a beaming grin. Her smile was gone for so long, I cherish every one from her. “Ready to go, wildcat?”

“Yup! Are you really going to make me wait until we’re back home to open whatever that is? You know I hate surprises.”

“I know.” I wink and take her hand to lead her to the truck. “I like to see you squirm.”

The drive home, Cass is singing along to the radio and my nerves subside—I can’t wait to slip the ring on her finger. As soon as we’re home, I’m dropping to one knee. I unconsciously smooth my thumb over her ring finger where it’ll sit.

We pull up to the house, and Caleb’s truck is parked out front. “What is he doing here?” I mutter to myself.

Cass groans, “Why is he here?”

Between the jewelry store and this, something is up. “You didn’t invite your brother?”

“Why would I invite him? It’s ruining all of my plans.”

“What plans?” I narrow my eyes on her. “I have plans of my own, and I’ve waited long enough. I don’t care if he’s here.”

I hop out of the truck and round it to open her door, then with quickened footsteps, I’m practically dragging her to the front door. It’s unlocked and I shout into the house, “We’re here, and I need five minutes with Cass. Make yourself scarce!”

“Only five minutes?” Ingrid laughs as we pass her in the kitchen. “Well, at least it means your clothes will stay on.”

“Travis, slow down. Where are we going?” I don’t stop until we’re on the porch. I try to lead her down the steps to the trailer, but she stops me, tugging me backward a step. “No! Stop. I need you to sit down for what I’m about to tell you.”

Did I read this wrong? Is she breaking up with me?

No, she wouldn’t; she loves me.

Fuck, is she going to drop some medical news on me?

Cassidy gestures to the porch swing and I reluctantly take a seat. She paces for a moment, mumbling to herself as she fidgets with her small bag. “Cass, what’s going on?”

Glancing up, she stops and drops to her knees in front of me. “I had a whole thing planned for after the reopening party. It was thrown out the window on the drive home from the jeweler. You promised me you’d marry me if we weren’t already married. I was worried you only wanted to getmarried because of a stupid pact. I know now that you’d marry me because you love me as much as I love you.” She roughly pulls a small box out of the bag and opens it. There’s a titanium band with a small red stone, likely a garnet.

“Are you proposing, wildcat?” I tease, unable to hide my amusement.

“Shh, you’re ruining it.” Taking it out of the box, she asks, “Travis, will you marry me?”

“You’re fucking adorable.” I lean in and cup her cheek, kissing her softly. “Open the other bag.”

“That’s not an answer,” she huffs, sitting back on her heels.

“Yes, it is.”

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