Page 60 of The Proposal Pact
“We can smell that concussion with a dash of insanity through the door,” Luke says, and I try to stifle a laugh—unsuccessfully—at their antics with each other.
It’s like grumpy and grumpier taking digs at one another.
“Sophie! Are you laughing over there?” Grace squeaks. “She’s laughing!”
“Well, it is funny,” I tell her.
“I’ll show you funny,” Gracie says in a strangled voice. “Let go of me, Luke!”
“Wild one, you can’t take down the door.”
“Watch me.”
“Okay!” Clover shouts. “No one is taking down any doors—”
“Callum Clover Lovinski!” Yet another new voice shrieks. This time it belongs to Julie.
“Oh, Jesus Christ.” He drags a hand over his face. “Julie, what are you doing over here?”
“I came to make sure no other spirit possessed you.”
“Oh, for the love of…”
“Okay, then can you explain how this happened? We didn’t even know you liked Sophie, let alone this much. And Sophie, dear, I love my brother, but are you sure about this?”
I go to open my mouth but the low, threatening growl coming from my new husband shuts my mouth right back.
“Do not question my wife,” he tells them. “I liked her. We had a connection. I married her. End of the story.”
“I just saw you this morning, asshole, and you didn’t mention a word about getting married,” Luke says. “So, spill, because we’re not buying what you’re selling.”
“I already told you; we had a connect—”
“Callum,” Griffin interrupts. “Just a couple of days ago you didn’t want to hear anything aboutany women.”
“Well, she’s not just any woman now, is she?” There’s a loud ping of silence around us after his words. And my eyes shoot up to his just as Clover’s gaze slides over me.
He didn’t mean it like that, Sophie. He didn’t,I tell myself, but that look in his eyes…why is he looking at me like he meant every word, every letter and sound.
My breath quickens and it has nothing to do with our run earlier. Nothing at all.
I’m losing all air to a wholly other experience. Something I wasn’t supposed to feel. Something I was sure I wouldn’t mere hours ago when I agreed to this scheme.
I don’t take my gaze off his, trying to see deeper, to figure out what happened in this short span of time when he didn’t allow me even a glimpse of himself earlier, yet now…
His jaw works and he swallows hard before looking away from me, effectively shutting down and erasing the small connection we shared and adds, “She’s the only one I’d ever marry. Now, can you all go?” His tone is monotone and almost bored as he says it and I let out that breath I was holding.
That was a fluke.
Just like the kiss.
He meant it as in I’m the only woman crazy enough to do this.
Good. Good.
“When did this even happen?” Griffin asks.
“I arrested her last night, we bonded.”
