Page 44 of Hunted, Season Three

Placing the red paper covered object in front of him.

The white in front of her.

Carefully lowering myself onto one knee and taking in the shakiest breath of my entire life.

Chapter 9

Kipp

Bunny cheekily criticizes the unexpected sight sitting in front of us.“I don’t think props are part of Pictionary.”

Small sniggers from the onlookers seem to help Nolan settle into his bent knee position.

A position – like seeing a reverse-rake rear window on a modern car – I wasn’t expecting to ever see him in.

I assumed I would be the one to find rings.

Learn about their specs.

Do the KBB research equivalence for jewelry.

Come up with a giant gesture for them.

Have it most likely involve tires and carnauba wax.

I just assumed I would be the one to put in the actual work while he just kind of grunted that the shit was happening, and we could go to the nearest courthouse whenever.

That it wasn’t a big deal because we’re already together.

That the rest is just paperwork.

I didn’t expect him to put in thought.

Or planning.

Howlonghas he had these?

Howlonghas he been keepingthisa secret?

What other secrets does he have?

“Open them,” he politely but firmly commands, voice so uneven I’m tempted not to.“Please.”

Picking up the Ferrari red paper covered object is simple, a lot like coyly grinning at the fact that even the wrapping has meaning.

Bunny and I manage to get our gifts uncovered at the same time as well as open our boxes simultaneously.

The round object inside is black and detailed with a pattern that makes it look more like a mini tire than something that belongs on someone’s hand.

Unless that hand belongs to a gearhead.

Like me.

“I can’t think of a bettertime,” my best friend begins, recollecting our gazes, “than ourfirst Christmas,” the unspoken details of this McAdams free point in our relationship are felt in spite of not being proclaimed, “orplace– in front of the family that kept mealive,” he casually tips his head the Garcias, “to ask the one that gives me a reasonto live,” a nod towards us is executed, “to be that forever.”

Air gets sharply sucked in by our girl while I merely stop breathing altogether.

Clinch the box tighter.

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