Page 84 of Exposed Ink

“Yeah, it did. But I think I got this one.”

And if all goes as planned, Kinsley will be moving her shit in here instead of into an empty house.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Kinsley

“I knowthis is an older house, but with some work …”

The realtor goes on about the potential the house has, but I tune her out, frustrated that we’ve seen six houses in Brookside and I couldn’t imagine living in a single one. I know it’s only our first day of looking, but there aren’t many options in this small town, and every one she’s shown me felt like a stranger’s house.

I mean, obviously, that’s what it is, but when Brandon and I moved into our apartment, it was an empty space, yet it still felt right. I could imagine where we’d hang our photos, the color scheme I wanted to go with. And when my parents gifted us their old townhome, it instantly felt like it was where we belonged. Maybe it’s because I’m an artist, but I need to be able to feel something, and with every place I’ve seen, I haven’t felt anything.

“I appreciate you showing me these places,” I tell Patty, the realtor my mom is friends with. “But none of these feel right.”

“That’s okay,” she says. “There are plenty of options. I’ll take a look this week and then call you to schedule some walk-throughs once I have a few worth checking out.”

After saying goodbye, I text Shane that I’m on my way, and he lets me know he’s home and to just come in when I get there.

The second I open the front door, Becky jumps off the couch, greeting me with a wagging tail, so I kneel in front of her to pet her, and she comes closer, licking the side of my face.

Since I’m here often, I’ve gotten close with her. I never had any pets growing up since my sister is allergic, but I can see why people get dogs. She’s so sweet and cuddly and protective.

When I stand, ready to find Shane, I notice the living room is dark, and there are several tea lights placed on various surfaces, creating a warm glow.

And then my eyes land on the pink rose petals all over the floor.

“Shane?” I call out in confusion.

Becky runs to the back slider, so I let her out into the backyard and then close the door. When I turn around, I find Shane standing in the middle of the room, dressed in a blue button-down shirt with his sleeves rolled to his forearms, showing off his corded muscles and the sexy sleeve I tattooed on him, along with a pair of jeans that mold to his thighs perfectly. His hair is freshly cut, and his beard is trimmed … and he’s holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers that match the petals on the floor.

“What’s going on?” I ask with a nervous laugh.

“These are for you.”

He hands me the flowers, and I lean in, closing my eyes and inhaling the floral scent. When I open my eyes, Shane is staring at me with a mixture of concern and confusion, and I realize there are tears in my eyes.

“I love flowers,” I choke out. “And it’s been a long time since anyone gave them to me. They remind me of happiness and all that is good in the world.”

I smile down at the flowers, bringing my nose back to them so I can smell them again. “Thank you,” I whisper, looking back up at him with a smile.

Shane chuckles softly. “I knew it,” he says, cupping the side of my face. “I knew that under all that sour would be so much damn sweet.” He leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips that has me craving so much more. “If buying you flowers means seeing you light up like this, I’ll buy you flowers every day.”

I snort out a laugh. “Maybe it’s not just the flowers,” I tell him honestly. “Maybe it’s partly you.”

Shane’s smile grows. “I love you, Kinsley, and I was wondering …”

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small box, and my heart starts to pound in my chest.

There’s no way he would propose, right?

It’s too soon.

But even as that thought crosses my mind, a small part of me can imagine spending my life with Shane as my husband. He’s sweet and selfless, and the sex is incredible. He’s such a good person, and when I’m around him, the world feels like a better place because he’s in it.

But it’s too soon,I remind myself.We only just started dating …

My thoughts are cut off when Shane opens the box, exposing a key.

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