Page 24 of Mastered By Bliss

One: Leah is incredibly talented at anything she sets her mind to.

Two: Unfortunately, she has set her mind to ignoring the idea of marriage.

It’s not like there’s any huge rush.No one is telling her we need to run to the courthouse today and put rings on her finger.

And yeah, maybe my pride hurts a little—or a fucking lot—because I thought she wouldn’t freak out at the idea if it was coming from me.

Nope.Things are off with her now.Fucking her in the shower this morning took our minds off it.But her forced smile as we said goodbye this afternoon told me everything I need to know.

My girl’s upset.

And all I can do is stand by Low Vice, checking IDs and letting in members.

My phone buzzes with a call.A quick glance at the screen tells me it’s Gage, so I answer.“How are your friends?Did you find them?”

“I’m Claudia’s emergency contact, and the hospital called.They’re banged up, but they’ll be okay.”

“That’s a relief.Did they catch the guy?”

“No.The car sped away.It was found abandoned underneath an overpass this afternoon.No prints.LAPD is keeping it out of the news for now.I’m not sure if that’s the right call.”

“They could find eyewitnesses if they publicized it, you mean.”

“Exactly.”

We’re quiet for a moment.I break the silence.“Have you talked to Leah?”

“I just got off the phone with her.She’s worried—not about herself, ironically.”

“Nothing ironic about that.You’re the one whose former coworkers are being targeted.”

He sighs.“I suppose you’re right.Well, I wanted to see how you’re doing, too.”

I stare out over the dark parking lot.“I’m fine.I’m not worried about getting hit by a crazy driver, at least.”

“I’m talking about the big piece of news I dropped on you the other day.We didn’t have a chance to discuss it.”

“Oh, you mean the impulsive proposal?”

“How do you know it was impulsive?”

“Because if you’d thought about it for two fucking seconds, you might have included me.”Anger flares in my chest, but I try to tamp it down.

He’s quiet.“You’re right.I should’ve talked to you.She’s in a relationship with us both.It’s been obvious to me from the beginning that you feel the same.”

“Yeah.”I say it in the same tone a snotty preteen would say,Duh.“She’s skittish now, because we—and byweI meanyou—didn’t think it through.”

“I would apologize, except I meant every word of that proposal.”

I wait.

He sighs.“But the timing was suboptimal.”

“There we go.”I laugh.“Christ, you’re such an asshole.”

“Yeah.But I’m an asshole in love with Leah, so I can’t be all bad, right?”

“Just try not to fuck things up anymore, okay?”

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