Page 65 of The Kiss Countdown

“He’s back!” I scream-whisper.

“I’ll let you go, then. At least keep me updated and let me know about the wedding before it happens.”

I put my phone down and quickly get dressed. Today I’m wearing a dark purple sweater and black leggings. Lacking the mental fortitude to deal with my hair, I leave it alone and let the tight curls, softened by steam, frame my face and fall to my shoulders.

With a shaky breath, I step out of the bathroom.

I immediately spot Vincent, and while I shoot for easy, breezy confidence, my “Oh, hey” greeting comes out breathless.

Vincent’s leaning against the dresser, looking at his phone. He places it in his pocket and offers me a small smile. “Hey, yourself.”

Okay, he’s not yelling or asking what on earth I was thinking last night. I’ll take that as a good sign and try to act normal, and not like I’m ten seconds away from rushing back to the bathroom to relieve my churning stomach. “So, what’s on the agenda for today? Another family hike?”

“I was thinking we’d go ahead and take that ride around town I promised. Are you up for that?”

My pulse jumps as he pushes off the dresser and starts walking to me. “Sure. Is everyone coming?”

“Just you and me.” He stops in front of me, eyes roaming over my face. “I like your hair down.”

I don’t need a man to validate my hair choices. I don’t need a man to validate my hair choices. I don’t need a man to validate my hair choices.

My cheeks heat up from his compliment. “Thank you.”

We stare at each other for what feels like forever before he speaks. “Why didn’t you take the out, Amerie?”

I could have sat there in silence like everyone else until the tension eased and then continued with our original plan. But in the moment, I wanted Vincent to know someone saw him. That I see him.

“I needed to uphold my end of the bargain. It helped with your mom, right?”

He searches my eyes, then smirks as he runs his finger along the chain of my necklace. “Did you know when you’re lying or nervous you touch this?”

Tiny goose bumps prickle along my chest, and I let go of the diamond. “I’m not lying. And I’m not nervous.”

Vincent reaches for the hand I dropped, drawing it close. His eyes don’t stray from mine as he slides something cold over my finger.

I look down and gasp at the sight of his grandmother’s ring, now nestled snugly on my finger.

Vincent chuckles, and it feels like a caress against my ears. “Unless I’m mistaken, which I rarely am, it’s customary to wear rings as a statement that you’re taken. Is it not?”

“Yes. I mean, no.” I blow out a breath. “I mean, we’re not really engaged though.”

He shrugs and steps back. The air between us is now too cold, and I instantly miss his warmth.

“Everyone will expect to see you wearing it,” Vincent says. “We’ve got to keep up appearances, right?”

I slowly nod. “Right.”

“Good.” He crosses the room back to the dresser and picks up a brown paper bag and coffee cup. “Your food, as promised. I got you a croissant sandwich. How about you eat it on the way?”

“Okay, sure.” I blink hard, trying to get the gears in my brain to turn faster, but the ring on my finger feels as heavy as a boulder, and Vincent’s attention is throwing me off-kilter. “Where are we going?”

“Since it’s our last full day here, I think it’s time for a good ol’ tour around town.”

In some ways, Vincent’s hometown is like any big city. It has a Starbucks and shopping plaza centered around a Target—new additions, which Vincent said weren’t here when he was a kid. But the town has only one majorhighway flowing through it. If you miss the exit, it will be miles before you can turn around.

I frown as I look out the window and we pass a small, old building with the wordMarketpainted in white letters. “Wait. I don’t remember seeing all this when we first drove in.”

Vincent holds his smile and avoids my gaze. “There’s two ways to get here. You can go I-10 for a straight shot or take a few farm-to-market roads. I took the more scenic route. Why are you looking at me like that?”

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