Page 106 of Guarded from Havoc

“Absolutely.” Erik hugs me. “Any time you want to arrange a visit, we will. Or we can have them come back to stay with us again.”

I’ve nearly demolished my cinnamon roll before realizing Erik hasn’t touched a bite. “Hey,” I say, touching his arm. “Are you okay? Are you feeling alright?”

“Of course. Why?”

“Because you haven’t eaten anything. And that’s not usual for you. Do you want to order something healthier? Like fruit and eggs? Turkey bacon?”

His gaze flickers to the basket, then back to me. “No, this is fine. I guess… I’m not as hungry as I thought. But it’s nothing to worry about.”

Erik not hungry in the morning? That’s basically unheard of. “Erik. Are you sure? Because?—”

“Tatum.”

His use of my full name makes my heart skip a beat. By now, he pretty much only calls me Tate, only using my full name when he’s introducing me to someone.

I try to tamp down my nerves. Just because he said Tatum instead of Tate doesn’t mean there’s anything to worry about. “Erik?”

“Um.” He hesitates. Pink touches his cheeks. “Well.”

Fear tries to creep in. My stomach flutters. “Erik? If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

But the uncertainty—no, is itfear?—in his eyes says otherwise.

“Erik.” It’s a warning this time. “You’re kind of freaking me out.”

Regret creases his forehead. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” Drawing in a deep breath, he lets it out in a gust. “I’m just… Shit. I’m nervous.”

“Nervous?”

A flicker of hope comes to life. Something I’ve thought about, but only in my hopeful fantasies, while sternly reminding myself it’s probably too soon.

“Yes.” Erik reaches beneath the pillow and pulls out a small, velvet box.

My heart trips. Seizes.

“Erik?” It’s barely a whisper.

“I’ve never done this before,” he says, looking more scared than I’ve ever seen him. “And honestly, I’m worried I’ll mess this up. Or that I’m doing it too soon. Or… I don’t know. I just want this to go right.”

As I notice the hand holding the box trembling slightly, that fierce protectiveness sweeps through me, shoving all my worries to the side.

He’s nervous. My Erik, who’s never nervous about anything.

“I’m sure it will,” I reply gently. “How about if you just… say it? And not worry so much about how it comes out?”

Erik takes another deep breath. Then he turns to me.

Holds out the box.

Flips the lid open.

Inside is a gorgeous pink stone surrounded by tiny clear ones. As the sunlight filtering through the window hits the ring, a burst of rainbow sparkles dances across the room.

“It’s a pink diamond,” Erik explains, “with regular ones around it. Since you love pink so much. I know it’s not traditional. Or at least, that’s what all the websites I looked at said. But… I wanted you to have something special. Something that’s just like you.”

Tears prick at my eyes. “Erik. Are you?—”

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