Page 10 of Worth the Wait

“She’s going to flip,” Matthew said as he gripped Thomas’s shoulder. “In a good way.”

“She’d better, or I’m blaming you,” he said back, and I bit out a laugh.

“We getting a drink or what?” Matthew clapped his hands together loudly before pointing across the street toward the Sugar Saloon.

Of course he’d want to go there. Not only because he lived to have a beer in his hand, but also because he had some sort of crush on Bella, the bartender.

“This calls for a celebration!” he added.

“We all know you just want to see Bella,” Thomas tossed from over his shoulder.

“You need us to be your wingman with her or what?” I pushed.

“I don’t need wingmen,” Matthew fired back.

I couldn’t stop messing with him. I was having too much fun.

“I don’t think Bella likes you very much,” I lied.

I had no idea what Bella did or didn’t think about my brother, but it was entertaining to pretend like I did.

“She loves me,” Matthew argued. “That girl’s had a crush on me since she was fourteen.”

It was probably true.

“Maybe we should go and see if her taste has improved over the years.” My comment was directed toward Thomas, who shook his head.

“Sorry. I gotta get home to my girls,” he said before adding, “We can celebrate after I pop the question.”

“Don’t lose that ring.” I gave him a nod as he took the bag and clenched it tightly in his fist.

“I’m not going to lose it. I’m not Matthew,” he said.

Matthew pouted. “Why are you two picking on me all of a sudden?” he whined. “I don’t like it.”

“We know,” Thomas and I both said at the same time before we started laughing.

The three of us said our goodbyes to Marcel and headed toward the door. We walked onto the aged wood planks that lined the street, each one creaking underneath our weight.

“Are we really all just going home?” Matthew asked.

I was starting to think that my little brother didn’t like being alone, which would answer the question as to why he was always at the saloon each night. The two of us couldn’t have been more opposite in that regard. Even though my internal thoughts were killer at times, I preferred being by myself. It was a hell of a lot easier than faking it in some social environment. At least in the comfort of my own home, with just me and Jasper, I didn’t have to pretend everything was okay and plaster on a smile for the sake of other people’s feelings.

“You guys can come over for dinner if you want,” Thomas suggested.

As much as I would love to see my niece, I was ready for some alone time.

Being in the jewelry store had flooded me with memories I hadn’t been prepared for. I was surprised I hadn’t spilled my secret purchase to my brothers. Thomas would have understood. Matthew would have teased me relentlessly. Which was why it was easier to keep my mouth shut.

“I’ll come.” Matthew perked up.

“I’m gonna head home. Give the girls my love.” I started walking toward my truck before either one of them could stop me. I was actually shocked when they let me go without a fight.

Later that night, after drowning my sorrows in a six-pack, I walked over to my nightstand and pulled open the drawer. All the way in the back sat a black velvet box. My fingertips brushed against the softness, and I yanked it free. Popping it open, I stared at the two-carat princess cut diamond. It was simple but timeless. Elegant. And still perfect. If I had to choose a ring all over again, I’d still choose this exact one.

I crawled into bed, and Jasper hopped up, taking the free space. Clutching my phone in my hand, I did what I rarely allowed myself to do and put Addison’s name in the search bar of my social media apps.

I felt myself exhale in relief when I noticed her feed was filled with nothing except pictures of food that I assumed she’d made recently. It actually looked awful. Everything was in the smallest portions I’d ever seen, with sauces in weird lines and designs. It was fancy. And so unlike the Addi I’d always known.

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