Page 116 of Pick Me

“Maybe. I thought he asked me to marry him,” she said solemnly. “I found a ring in his bag, and he freaked out.”

“A ring?” Britt gasped, her giant ring glinting away. “What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.” She raised her hand in exasperation. “Tanner didn’t give me any time to. He walked out and took a flight back here before I could say anything.” Aster fiddled with her hands, her body filled with nerves; something I’d never seen from her.

“But you’re here as his date now. Have you been able to talk to him about it?” Britt asked.

Aster’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “I’m waiting for the right time. I’m pretty sure Tanner only thinks I’ve come here tonight so he’s not embarrassed in front of the dean.”

“Are you?” Britt raised a brow. I was glad she was here asking the questions I didn’t have the balls to.

“N-No. I love Tanner. I want to be with him. It’s just the timing of a wedding would be all off right now.” Typical Aster. Worried about the logistics of it all instead of focusing on her feelings.

“He’s just about to start his NFL career. I need to finish my master’s degree. It’s just not the right time, but that doesn’t mean it’s a no.”

“It all makes perfect sense,” I said, only making Aster stop and look at me with confusion. “I can’t speak for my brother, but I’ve known him since the moment our hearts started beating. He loves you—there’s no doubt about that. And I know the last thing he wants is to lose you. The only reason he’s freaking out right now is because, in his mind, it’s not a question ofifyou’ll leave—it’swhen.”

“He’s not lost me.”

“I already know that. I think it’s my brother you might need to tell it to.”

“You’re right.” Aster smiled before I brought her into a hug and gave her an extra tight squeeze when I felt how much she was trembling.

“You’ll be fine. I promise,” I said, looking at Britt from over Aster’s shoulder with wide, shocked eyes.

Tanner and Aster were made for each other. They’d get through this. I knew it.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jackson

I opened the car door, flashing Thea a grin as she slid into my leather seat and buckled in, her expression smug as she shimmied into place.

“It’s nice up here,” she mused, running her fingers over the dashboard.

I slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and reached for her hand, dragging it over the center console until it rested on my thigh.

“Don’t get used to it,” I teased. “Once Tanner finds out about us, I doubt he’ll let me take you anywhere alone. Which means you’ll be a back seat princess.”

Her brow lifted, her lips curling in amusement. “Back seat princess? Is that like a pillow princess? Because I’mprettysure I want to be one of those.”

A slow smirk tugged at my mouth. I lifted her hand, brushing a kiss over each knuckle before meeting her eyes.

“Again. Not something we can do with your brother around.”

Her breath hitched, but I didn’t let myself linger too long. Instead, I shifted gears. “How do you think the night went?”

Between the dull speech and the overcooked steak, the only redeeming part of the evening had beenher—the girl beside me, the one who had let me hold her hand under the table while we sat among our friends, a quiet secret between us.

Thea tilted her head, considering. “I think it went as well as itcouldhave, considering we still haven’t told Tanner.” She glanced at the empty back seat before her eyes found mine again. “Feels weird driving home without him, doesn’t it?”

She wasn’t wrong.

Aster and Tanner had wanted to drive back alone, and we hadn’t hesitated to let them. The entire night had been full of stolen glances and lingering looks between them, like nervous teenagers on the verge offinallyadmitting they liked each other.

They needed to talk.

And the soonertheyfigured things out, the sooner I’d be able to tell my best friend about the best thing that had ever happened to me.

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