Page 214 of Scatter the Bones

Zips didn’t seem “special enough” for this occasion but then I remembered, this is where Margot met my sister for the first time and fearlessly pointed out that Jezzie and I use our dark humor to cover up a lot of uncomfortable feelings.

So given the way she’s helped me piece my family back together, maybe thisisthe right place after all.

After I helped Torch toss his unconscious friend Buck out by the road, I stop by my truck and pull a blanket out of the back.

The guys are starting a bonfire. Music’s pouring out of car speakers. Stadium lighting brightens up half the track.

My gaze scans the area, finally landing on Shelby, Molly, Libby, and Margot sitting on a blanket close to the fire.

I circle behind Margot and tap her on the shoulder. “I need you.”

I hold out my hand, helping her off the blanket. Her worried eyes meet mine.

“What’s wrong? Is Cain okay?”

“He’s fine.” I take her hand, leading her to a quieter area of the field.

I spread the blanket out and pull her down with me.

“What’re you doing?” She snuggles close to me, sitting so we’re shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh.

I gotta get this out before I forget everything I want to say.

“Margot,” I start, my voice lower than I mean it to be.

I clear my throat, glance down at our hands—fingers just barely brushing. Then I pull her into my lap, her legs draping over mine.

She wraps her arms around my neck like it’s instinct.

“You once asked me to teach you…” I pause, letting my hand settle on her thigh. “A few things.”

She ducks her head, silky strands sliding across my cheek.

“And I thought I was so damn clever,” I murmur, “warning you not to catch feelings.” I tip my forehead against hers. “Then I went and caught the biggest case of feelings a man’s ever had.”

A soft laugh escapes her. “How do you know that?”

“Because I’d spill blood for you. Burn down buildings. Burn down the whole fuckin’ world if I had to.”

Her smile falters, eyes locked on mine. “I’d do the same for you.”

“I know it.” I close my eyes, trying to think of the words that have been knocking around in my skull for months. How to piece them together.

“You’re the one who ended up teaching me so many things.” My voice roughens. “And I love you so much. I want to keep learning with you—something new, every day—for the rest of my life.”

Her fingers skim my cheek. “I want that too.”

We just stare at each other, suspended in the moment.

Ring!

Fuck!

I jam my hand in my pocket and pull out the shiny, black box. “Will you marry me?”

“What?” Her gaze slips from my face to the box.

Did she think I was recapping our history for fun?

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