Page 71 of The Love Wager

Growling, I crawl up onto the bar, praying like hell I don’t bust my ass in front of all these fucking people. Snatching the microphone from her, I bring it to my mouth. “You’re the most insufferable human being I know. Do you know that?”

Indie’s brows furrow in shock. Probably that I’m up here in the first place.

“You don’t listen,” I continue. “You don’t take no for an answer. You’re a walking insurance liability, and you’re hard-headed as fuck!”

The room’s gone deathly silent. You could hear a pin drop from a mile away.

“And yet, you’re the most beguiling creature I’ve ever known.”

Indie’s confused look deepens.

“Tonight was all planned out, you know? I only had to pull myself together, and things would’ve fallen into place. But no, Indie has to have her moment.”

“What? I?—”

I drop to one knee in front of her; something wet seeps into the knee of my jeans, and I try to ignore the rising aggravation as I pull the ring box from my pocket and open it.

“Brooks,” she breathes.

“You are everything to me. I wanted to do this later, after the crowd died down some and we had a moment alone, but then, doing it that way wouldn’t beus, would it?”

She grins, tears filling her eyes as she shakes her head.

“Well, you massive pain in my ass. Will you marry me?”

She sniffs. “That depends.”

My heart skips a beat as I hear a few gasps from the crowd.

“Will I be on the insurance if we get married?”

My mouth is gaping open, my brain trying to figure out her angle. Shealwayshas an angle.

“So I can dance onourbar whenever I want to without the growly proprietor of the establishment kicking me off? I mean, if I’m married to him, I don’t see why I can’t…”

Standing, I grab her up and silence her, kissing her long and hard. The microphone drops between us, thunking as the entire bar loses its shit, cheering and clapping as I angle my mouth on hers, deepening the kiss.

I press my forehead to hers, breathing her in as she giggles.

“That was a yes, right?” I ask, feeling a bit stupid for jumping the gun if it wasn’t.

“Oh, Brooks, of course, it’s a yes.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Indie. Even if you started as a massive thorn in my side and sometimes still are, I can’t see myself without you. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Even if you won’t let me dance on your bar.”

I shake my head as I take the ring out of the box and slide it on her finger.

I get off the bar, landing awkwardly. When I turn around and look up at her, she’s got her brows knitted together in confusion.

Handling her the microphone, I wave my hand in the air toward the DJ, signaling him to give the girl her music back.

“Really?” she squeaks.

“Go on, red. Give us a show!”

Indie

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