Page 100 of The Proposal Pact
I’ve never seen a more perfect ring. Never.
Looking away from my hands, I shut those wayward thoughts at the roots. The ones that want it to mean more.It doesn’t, Sophie.
Whatever it was, I am enjoying the benefits today after I’ve expelled all my annoyance with him.
I’ve had fun with Clover. I loved watching the game with him again and just…being normal, really.
I sigh, I shouldn’t be happy about it. I shouldn’t like that he’s trailing after me now because I was supposed to keep away from him like he was from me but for an entirely different reason. Because while he doesn’t like me, I’m falling deeper and deeper for his grumpy ass.
In complete silence the rest of the way, we make it all the way to LPs at the end of the Love Street, enjoying the fall wind on my skin. After that scene at the diner, I was in no mood to stay and eat, so I promised to meet up with Grace and the girls tonight.
Before my hand can touch the handle, Clover’s already pulling it open for me.
“Thank you.” I smile but he tips his head up. and I’m pretty sure is counting to ten or whatever. What a confusing man.
“Are you planning to stay here long?” he asks just as we step inside. The warmth of the bar quickly washing away that fall chill I enjoyed mere moments ago.
“Not sure, a couple hours probably. But you can go.” I shrug my cardigan off, giving him another sweet smile.
There goes another tick.
“Not—” Whatever Clover was about to say gets cut off.
“H-o-l-y fuck. Luke, pinch me!” I turn to see Griffin and Luke standing in front of us, one elbowing the other as they both gape at their friend.
“I did. Did you wake up?”
“Nope, he’s still here. At the bar. Tell me you see it too?” Griffin whispers the last part, and I fight my amused laugh.
Why are they acting like it’s so surprising that Clover showed up at LPs? He’s been here before, no?
I frown as soon as the question pops in my head. Wait a moment, did I actually ever see him here? My eyes fall on his tense form, hoovering by the door as his eyes rake over the whole space but doing it very covertly, so no one could tell he’s checking it out.
Oh my God, has he ever been in here? Because it sure as heck looks like it’s his first time.
“What’s with all the traffic?” Gracie pushes through Griff and Luke. “Is my bestie here yet? Ah, there you are.” Her face brightens before she tilts her head to the side. “Oh goody, you brought Shrek with you,” she states dryly. “You can go off into the grumpy corner.”
“The grumpy corner?” I arch an eyebrow.
“Yep. Luke will take you.” She points behind her where Joy is already sitting at the farthest booth, eyeing everyone with the scowl.
Grumpy corner, got it. I chuckle.
“Luke, did you hear me?” she asks her husband, who is still staring blankly at mine.
“I think he’s in shock.” I whisper to her.
“In shock? Why?” Grace frowns, whispering back.
“Because he showed up at the bar,” Luke answers for me.
“He? You mean Callum?”
“Uh-huh.” Griff nods. “Where is Julie? She has to see this before the mirage disappears.” He starts patting his pockets for a phone.
“Will you two fuckers quit it?” Clover grumbles behind me. “Stop making it such a big deal.”
“Stop making it…Luke, did you hear him say stop making it such a big deal?”
