Page 93 of Part & Parcel

Kelly took the box and narrowed his eyes at Nick. “Where’d you find this?”

“Saw it in Colorado, had one made for you and shipped back here.”

Kelly gazed at him for a few seconds longer, then lifted the lid of the box carefully as his nerves tumbled. It was hitting him that this was real, that they’d done this and it was sticking this time. That this was an honest-to-God engagement ring.

Inside the felt box, he found a simple tricolor band with a metal interior, and an exterior ringed with white, turquoise, and brown. He immediately loved the colors, and he grinned when he pulled it out of its cradle.

“It’s made of turquoise, wood, and antler, with a titanium inner ring to make it strong,” Nick explained. “The artist assured me he finds all his materials, none of it is harvested.”

Kelly ran his thumb over the smooth surface.

“I don’t know much about the Ute tribe,” Nick continued. “I was going to research them, see what their customs were. I know that part of your family is important to you. But when I saw this, I just . . .”

“It’s perfect,” Kelly said, grinning at Nick. He slid it onto his finger, holding it out so Nick could see.

Nick’s thumb ran over the ring, sliding down Kelly’s finger until he got to the tip, where he gripped him harder and tugged. Kelly scooted closer and kissed him.

“Can’t believe you managed to do this right under my nose,” Kelly said. “Again.”

Nick actually smiled and kissed him harder, pulling him closer. A month ago, that joke would have had Nick averting his eyes in shame. They were taking baby steps, but they were definitely getting there.

Kelly grabbed his face and returned the kiss enthusiastically. “I have a question,” he asked between kisses. Nick hummed and pulled Kelly even closer, forcing him to climb into Nick’s lap. “If you’re the son of an Irish mobster, does that mean we have to invite him to the wedding? What’s the protocol on that?”

“You’re fucking ridiculous.” Nick kissed him again anyway.

Kelly finally pulled away from him and stared at Nick wistfully, the weight of the new ring on his finger a conscious thing. “There’s some things we need to do before we settle down.”

Nick grunted in agreement. “Should we make a list?”

“A list isn’t a bad idea.”

Nick tugged at Kelly’s hand, brushing his nose against Kelly’s, his lips against Kelly’s. “Where do we start?”

Kelly shoved off the lounger so he was hovering over Nick, his head tilted sideways so he could kiss him. Then he backed away just enough that they could meet each other’s eyes. “I say we figure out what’s first the way Sidewinder always has.”

Nick’s grin was suddenly terrifying, and Kelly kissed him hungrily. When they parted for air, Nick was humming delightedly. “I’ll go get the dartboard.”

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